How to decorate an unused fireplace: an expert’s guide

01 September 2022

If you’re unsure how to decorate an unused fireplace and worried about your living room looking too bare, don’t fret - we’re here to help.

Even in winter, it’s normal to have a fireplace that’s never actually lit. Regardless, a beautiful antique fireplace will always look impressive whether it’s used or not. And there are many creative ways to decorate an unlit fireplace to make it stand out.

Without further ado, here is our expert guide on how to decorate an unused fireplace.

In this post, we'll show you how to decorate an unused fireplace

Bold firebacks

Many firebacks have bold designs

If you would prefer to keep the fireplace itself empty, you can still transform its appearance by introducing a striking, eye-catching antique fireback.

Many firebacks have bold designs. They add a sense of grandeur and offer a strong contrast to any modern furnishings in the room.

Not only that, but firebacks are suitable for both open and bricked-up fireplaces.

In this post, we'll show you how to decorate an unused fireplace

Fireplace accessories in front

This is a great approach to draw attention away from an empty fireplace, without a fireback - line up some relevant, decorative accessories in front.

You could use a fire screen or fire guard, for a stylish and charming way to cover the view of an empty hearth.

An antique fireplace fender is a good addition as well as it can take the focus away from an empty space in a fireplace.

Filling the fireplace

Alternatively, there are lots of ways you can use the space in an unused fireplace creatively.

Why not add a carefully-constructed pile of logs? Or a neat pattern of vintage books? Flower pots, a wine rack or another type of shelf could also work well.

And if you have something in your home but you just don’t know where to put it, you could treat your empty fireplace as a hidden storage area.

Framing your fireplace

Wondering what to put on either side of your fireplace? Try some antique andirons, firedogs or chenets to frame the outer edges.

There are lots of other accessories that will look good beside your fireplace - such as an antique log basket or a set of antique bellows.

In this post, we'll show you how to decorate an unused fireplace

Think vertically

When thinking about how to decorate an unused fireplace, don’t overlook the chimney breast.

If you can’t quite find the right way to stylise your fireplace hearth, then adding the right decorations to the chimney breast is a brilliant way to draw gazes upwards instead.

A typical approach is to hang up an impressive-looking antique overmantel or wall mirror.

Make the most of your mantelpiece

A bare mantelpiece will draw attention to an unused antique fireplace

A bare mantelpiece will draw attention to an unused antique fireplace. So decorate it with appropriate ornaments or personal mementos.

Antique clocks, antique sculptures, antique lighting - the choice is yours!

Otherwise, take a look around your home - are there any vases or photographs that would look good on the mantelpiece?

A centrepiece for celebrations

When weighing up how to decorate an unused fireplace, if you can’t settle on a fixed solution then try changing the decorations every few months.

Draping a fireplace with stockings, ivy, tinsel and fairy lights is common at Christmas and you could take a similar approach at other times of the year. We have previously written an in-depth blog about vintage Christmas decorating ideas.

Whether it’s Halloween, Easter, Valentine’s Day, someone’s birthday or your anniversary - make your empty fireplace the centrepiece for celebrations by decorating it inside and out.

Final thoughts: how to decorate an unused fireplace

That’s how to decorate an unused fireplace - there are several options depending on your tastes and preferences.

Whether you’re trying to decide what to put on either side of your fireplace, on the chimney breast, on the mantelpiece or in the hearth, we hope you’ve found our guide useful.

Before you get too carried away, just bear in mind that if you have an antique fireplace then it will look more authentic to keep decorations consistent with the period. For example, using Victorian or Edwardian decorations, if that’s the time period your fireplace is from.

If you’re thinking about how to decorate an unused antique fireplace that you haven’t acquired yet, our advice is to only buy from reputable sellers. They should be members of reputable organisations in antiques such as LAPADA or CINOA.

To find out more about how to decorate an unused fireplace, or to enquire about any antiques in our collection, please get in touch.