6 Ways to Highlight Your Fireplace With Wallpaper
See how beautifully patterned paper around a fireplace can make it the focal point of the room
Lisa Batson Goldberg
February 18, 2018
Why use wallpaper to show off your fireplace? There are almost endless wallpaper design options that can help you create a stunning room without taking up any floor space. But to ensure success, you’ll want to check that your fireplace has proper ventilation, choose a high-quality paper and work with a pro to install it correctly.
Here are six of my favorite ways designers use wallpaper to highlight a fireplace, plus a few tips on installation.
Here are six of my favorite ways designers use wallpaper to highlight a fireplace, plus a few tips on installation.
1. Wallpaper the facing. The immediate exterior walls surrounding your fireplace are the easiest place to start.
When it comes to wallpaper, the cost can add up, which is why choosing to showcase a particular aspect of any room — a single wall, a nook or, in this case, the facing above a fireplace — makes a statement without having to deal with the cost of a wrapping the whole room in wallpaper.
When it comes to wallpaper, the cost can add up, which is why choosing to showcase a particular aspect of any room — a single wall, a nook or, in this case, the facing above a fireplace — makes a statement without having to deal with the cost of a wrapping the whole room in wallpaper.
By wallpapering the facing, you not only will make the fireplace the focal point, but you also will make it an even more enjoyable place to curl up with friends, family or a cup of tea.
Many of my clients search for a paper to match the room, but in the end, I find that most clients wind up being inspired by a particular wallpaper they love and then create the rest of the room around it.
The takeaway: There is nothing wrong with basing your whole room’s design on a wallpaper you find. In fact, it happens that way more often than not for me and my clients. And once you pick a paper, you can quickly move forward with the other fireplace accessories, such as mantel decor.
The takeaway: There is nothing wrong with basing your whole room’s design on a wallpaper you find. In fact, it happens that way more often than not for me and my clients. And once you pick a paper, you can quickly move forward with the other fireplace accessories, such as mantel decor.
2. Flank the fireplace. Consider your fireplace the art in the room and cover the walls on each side with wallpaper. By papering the walls on both sides of the chimney (but not the chimney itself), you make the entire fireplace wall stand out.
In addition to the beauty of the wallpaper itself, you have the option of adding a paint color to the chimney to tie it together.
By choosing a paint that complements the paper, you create an even more curated, vibrant and personalized look in the space.
By choosing a paint that complements the paper, you create an even more curated, vibrant and personalized look in the space.
You also can paint the chimney the same color as the other three walls in the space. This makes the wallpaper stand out and draws your attention to the fireplace wall.
By covering the chimney-adjacent walls, you get a chance to go bold and beautiful with your wallpaper while having the freedom to keep the chimney and fireplace color itself more calm, monotone or relatively neutral.
And it’s another way to cut wallpaper costs, since you need to put the paper only on that single fireplace-centric wall. Then you can give the other walls a (less expensive) coat of paint.
3. Use wallpaper panels. Keep the wallpaper confined to panels around the fireplace and the rest of the room. You can do this by papering sections of the wall and then separating them from one another with wooden moldings. This often will be a custom design, which allows you to frame your fireplace however you want.
Panels are a good option if you feel that wallpapering your whole room might make your space look too busy.
You can use a mix of wallpaper and molding just on one wall to create a highly designed accent wall.
4. Back the shelves. Using wallpaper in bookshelves is an idea you can use in any room, but it’s especially great to try around a fireplace.
This option can elevate the shelving you already have without too much effort.
Using wallpaper as a backing for any sort of shelving is another cost-effective way to work with wallpaper. For most of the shelving projects I do with my clients, I find that one roll is more than enough, but always measure and confirm before ordering.
Using wallpaper as a backing for any sort of shelving is another cost-effective way to work with wallpaper. For most of the shelving projects I do with my clients, I find that one roll is more than enough, but always measure and confirm before ordering.
5. Add a backdrop. If you have a freestanding fireplace, you can quickly make it stand out by giving it a backdrop.
Besides looking terrific, this design addition also addresses the challenge of what to put around the fireplace to complete the design, since many of these types of fireplaces need to be separated from other objects and pieces of furniture.
Besides looking terrific, this design addition also addresses the challenge of what to put around the fireplace to complete the design, since many of these types of fireplaces need to be separated from other objects and pieces of furniture.
Freestanding fireplaces don’t always look as pretty as fireplaces that are attached to the wall or chimney. Adding wallpaper around it can bring character and charm to an otherwise simple and practical part of your home.
6. Wrap the whole room. For those who aren’t afraid of going big with wallpaper, you can wrap the room, including the fireplace facing, in your favorite paper.
Opting for a full-room wallpaper wrap doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to go bold.
Monochromatic papers create a refined look that feels lush and luxurious while keeping an overall understated look in the space.
Monochromatic papers create a refined look that feels lush and luxurious while keeping an overall understated look in the space.
If you’re going for a calm and relaxed vibe, try a simple nature pattern. A light or neutral color dotted with nature motifs can create a peaceful living space.
Neutral or textured wallpapers are a wonderful alternative to paint, since they add warmth and character while keeping your design palette feeling cool and sleek.
Meanwhile, your fireplace can stand out from the entire room, especially if it’s a bright white, as seen here.
Meanwhile, your fireplace can stand out from the entire room, especially if it’s a bright white, as seen here.
Or leave the neutrals behind and go bold with large-scale patterns that create a dramatic effect.
Although a bright patterned wallpaper may at first seem like a risky choice, it can look perfectly refined, as shown in this dining room.
Installation considerations. If you move forward with wallpaper by the fireplace, it’s important to keep the following factors in mind to ensure that your paper doesn’t warp, bubble or come off the wall.
Paper selection. Every home and fireplace situation is different, but, in general, if you have proper venting around your fireplace, you shouldn’t have any issues using wallpaper nearby. That said, a fireplace often emits heat and smoke. Because of that, the most important things are to purchase a high-quality wipeable paper and to prep the wall properly.
In my experience, wallpapering near a fireplace is similar to wallpapering a bathroom. As long as you do your due diligence, your wallpaper should last for a long time. But if you’re not willing to spend the time or the money to ensure that all the necessary steps are taken, it might be best to paint instead.
- Proper ventilation around your fireplace
- The necessary cover or doors on your fireplace
- Wipeable wallpaper, so soot can be removed with a damp cloth
- Expert installation, since the wall prep and adhesive are particularly important in this area of your home
Paper selection. Every home and fireplace situation is different, but, in general, if you have proper venting around your fireplace, you shouldn’t have any issues using wallpaper nearby. That said, a fireplace often emits heat and smoke. Because of that, the most important things are to purchase a high-quality wipeable paper and to prep the wall properly.
In my experience, wallpapering near a fireplace is similar to wallpapering a bathroom. As long as you do your due diligence, your wallpaper should last for a long time. But if you’re not willing to spend the time or the money to ensure that all the necessary steps are taken, it might be best to paint instead.
Your turn: Would you consider wallpapering around your fireplace? Or maybe you already have? If so, share a photo of your fireplace area in the Comments.
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Great article - great ideas! I admire wall paper panelling, it looks really chic!
My question is, doesn't the heat from the flue adversely affect the wallpaper? Not around old fashioned fireplaces of course - but around the cast iron and ceramic stoves.
Not mad about wall paper, I prefer plain colored material on walls, gives depth and peace to a room.