Once you decide on a tile fireplace surround, a world of exciting options opens up to you. From the very basic, one-color, mass produced tiles to those created and hand made by experienced and passionate artisans, the world is your oyster. Anyone can go for wood surrounds, wrought iron décor or marble but tiles lend themselves to a range of ideas that can be very hard to choose from.

Fireplace tiles are specially made to withstand the extreme ranges of heat to which they will be subjected and so any hand painting or other decoration will stand the test of time. They also need to be somewhat easy to keep clean because the natural buildup of soot from the fireplace is to be expected.

Feature tiles

So you’ve chosen the basic look for your tile fireplace and settled on a color scheme. Don’t forget to add in a few feature tiles that will add a unique touch to the end result. Scout around on the Internet and you’ll find some amazing motifs and ideas that you may not even have thought of. Animals feature highly so if you’re a fan of all things Africa, what about a tiger or zebra creation?

If flowers are more your style, a craftsperson can design a wonderful floral montage to dress up the source of warmth in your home. In fact, you can use the entire tile surface of your fireplace surround to depict a story that means something to you. Just like a wall mural, it is a tale practically ‘set in stone’.

Hearth tiles

Apart from your tile fireplace surround, you might also choose to finish the hearth in tiles. There are some outstanding colors available from earthy naturals to vivid purples, reds and greens. Whatever it takes to suit your décor, there are hearth tiles that will be just right.

Shaping is another consideration. Choose from straight or curved edges, smooth or textured, rectangular or square. Just be sure to order tiles that are purpose-made for the immediate environment around your fireplace.

Tube lined

Have you seen the pretty styles of tube lined fireplace tiles? They tell a vertical story and are installed to each side, in matching pairs, of the fireplace surround. Enjoy the look of climbing ivy or a depiction of a lattice trellis with roses entwined upon it. Other than flowers, there are medieval scrolls, art deco designs and geometric modernity.

Mantel tiles

There are wood, marble and stone mantels, and there are also those finished in tile. Here too there are myriad styles and designs to choose from.

A home handyman of average skills can create a tile fireplace makeover for an original, worse-for-wear fireplace. In fact, tiles are arguably one of the easier methods of giving the hearth, mantel and surround a well-deserved face lift. While shopping for the actual tiles, be sure to pick up the correct adhesion materials to give the job the professional treatment. The last thing you want is to have your tiles popping off when you light your first fire.

Even if your fireplace is a run-of-the-mill, pre-built and fully installed off-the-rack kind, tiles can inject some individuality if you use them on the hearth or above the mantel. Just think outside the square, as it were, and you’ll have a customized tile fireplace in no time.