Do you use it for actual heating? Can we see the whole room? Waht possible purpose is there for the huge box under it? I assume no TV in this space . It seems like a small space so adding tile to the ceiling could feel a bit over powering. If it was mine I would remove it and then do a nice Besta system for some storage and a place to hang some awesome art and maybe even a couple of shelves if you have nice things to display

Yes we use for heating. No purpose for the box. It was there. And I can take it out. Yes I could see the tile to the ceiling being overpowering. Thanks!

I'd remove the hearth. The room is already tight.

a wall of tile is a lot for your space with the exposed beams and door trims on the focal wall.

I'd look for a simple inspo image and remove the raised hearth. Do you need/want a mantel?

I hope you won't be mounting a TV above.

Thanks Lyn, yes, will remove the hearth and no tv. I can do a mantel but I don’t love the floating mantel.

if you don't like a floating mantel, make it a little more traditional looking to compliment your ceiling and door trims... for interest you could recess a hearth into the floor, wouldn't take up space, but would define the fireplace. Although I love the stacked tile in your insp image, going all the way to the ceiling is more modern and dominating in your small space. This is a compromise look. you still get a traditional mantel with a simple surround.

IMO materials that run from floor to ceiling would make a better statement on the wall.

Those are all great looks.

Another option: You have a pleasant, light space and don't need to frame the fireplace at all. Completely remove the large section under the fireplace and then create a gallery wall on the wall above and to the left of it.

Artwork, photos, panels, wall decor, or a little bit of everything—with the right placement and dimensions, this will perfectly solve the fireplace displacement problem, won't weigh down the wall, but will add interest and aesthetics. The key is to know when to stop and achieve a good balance.

I don't like the box beneath it, but then, we don't have a good picture and you seem to be storing various odds and ends on it, so possibly it would look good if planned.

I'd focus on finding a plant or tall piece of furniture for the left, to make the wall look a balanced. If you were going to go the floor to ceiling look, figure out where the tile will go and how that will make the wall look. It's possible floor to ceiling tile will leave a space on the left for art that would make the wall look intentional.

I don’t like the box either. I just ripped out the previous surround and I should have had that removed too but kept it as an option.

I like the idea of removing the box, keeping it really simple and decorating around it. I could possibly build out a slim mantel with Moulding and then tile the surround with a simple honed material and use that on the floor in place of the raised box.

I’ll gather materials and post. Thank you all so much for your help!