19 Empty Fireplace Ideas That Add the Perfect Cozy Touch

This empty fireplace idea involves stacking logs to evoke the charm of a rustic cabin, perfect for a lakeside retreat. Filling the nonworking fireplace completes the space rather than leaving it bare.

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Take note of this empty fireplace idea from designer Tom Scheerer who used one to house a paper fan. The additional wood is a nice nod to the structure’s past life.

Rather than fill your empty fireplace in an already busily designed room, keep it simple. In this sitting room by designer Sarah Vaile, the fireplace may be bare, but padded hearth guards offer excellent overflow seating.

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Old meets new in this empty fireplace idea from Kingston Lafferty Design. The ornate Victorian mantel contrasts with the graphic tiled fireplace, which reflects the geometric cabinets. The cactus in the fireplace niche livens it up.

Brick doesn’t always vibe with sleek monochromatic decor, luxe natural stone materials, and modern art. Nicole Hollis Studio’s solution was to paint over them with a dark or black color. This creates depth and makes the old-timey character of bricks more discreet. Do this if you want to make your empty fireplace look edgy but understated.

Leanne Ford painted this entire nonfunctioning fireplace white—even the decorative firewood. Then she warmed up the living room with pampas grass and cream accents.

If you want your fireplace to look like it works even if it doesn’t, simply cover the facade with a classic black screen. This empty fireplace idea adds so much character to this country-inspired townhouse living room.

Or, make it pop with a decorative screen like this brutalist one. It conceals the empty fireplace but also spruces up the surrounding area.

In this chic, texture-rich environment, interior designer Leanne Ford turned an empty fireplace into a little gallery to display pottery and artwork.

When in doubt, blooms are usually the answer. Liven up the drab space with a pretty flower arrangement, like in the empty fireplace idea in this Nantucket cottage by Jim Howard.

Jersey Ice Cream Co. filled this empty fireplace up with stacks and stacks of vintage books, complementing the rustic, aged look of the mantel.

Just because you don’t have a mantel or a working fireplace doesn’t mean you can’t huddle up to a warm, cozy glow. Though this living room is decked out for Christmas, the string light–filled lanterns could work all year long.

Go the classic route and pile logs in your fireplace to give it an inviting and homey feel, even if you can’t actually light them on fire. If you have reclaimed wood seats, flank your fireplace with them as Katie Hodges did in this empty fireplace idea—they’ll accent the firewood perfectly.

Magazine hoarders, rejoice. You finally have another place to store your latest reads. Take note from Emily Henderson and pile them up in your empty fireplace.

Your impulse might be to draw the eye away from an empty or nonfunctioning fireplace, but this living room by Leanne Ford may convince you otherwise. “The clients wanted to elevate their space and I knew the full wall fireplace was an opportunity to do that! I randomly came up with this idea to do a tiered thing to it and covered it with my ever favorite concrete skimcoat,” says Ford.

If coastal style is your jam, try adding a large piece of coral inside your fireplace. You’ll feel like you’re by the sea, no matter where you actually live.

A smart and easy empty fireplace idea is by simply saturating it with one color. To make the space feel lighter and airier, white should be your go-to.

Stick a small accent chair in your fireplace. It’ll function as decor and extra seating when you need it.

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Just because your fireplace doesn’t work, doesn’t mean it should be in the dark. Placing candles in the space will give it an inviting glow.