If you’re looking to make a statement in your home in 2024, what better way to do so than with a fireplace feature wall? Not only do they allow you to show off your fireplace in its true glory, but they also add warmth to your home whilst serving as a focal point for the room. Plus, they can be a fantastic addition to not just the living room, but to a bedroom or dining room too. Keep reading if you need some inspiration for creating your dream media wall fireplace and we’ll share all the fireplace design trends of 2024.
Contents
Maximalist fireplace style
High-tech media wall
Quiet luxury fireplace
Dark Western theme for impact
Expert tips for feature walls
Maximalist fireplace style
If you’re not a fan of subtle and understated designs, a maximalist feature wall could be the perfect choice for your home. Maximalism is all about making a statement by going bigger and bolder. Think of rich textures, vibrant colours, intricate patterns and a mammoth-sized electric fire as the centrepiece. This trend is the perfect choice for feature walls, which are all about grabbing attention and making a statement. When it comes to using this interior design style for your feature wall, a good place to start is with the fireplace itself. Maximalism sometimes incorporates vintage pieces, so you may want to consider traditional-style fireplace options, such as a sophisticated cast iron fireplace. However, the trend is also about things being bigger and better, so a wide electric fireplace can make a great addition too. When it comes to colours, you can add warmth with gold tones or even choose bolder shade options, like deep red or blue. Complete the minimalist look by decorating your feature wall with bold wallpaper, ornate mirrors, and a mixture of quirky artwork. Shelving for your favourite pieces of décor can also help you add even more character to achieve that eclectic, yet stylish look.
High-tech media wall
Technology is already an essential aspect of our daily lives, so why not create a stylish fireplace media wall? High-tech media walls combine functionality with aesthetics to help you make the most of your feature wall. Common features of media walls include sound systems, smart speakers, built-in smart TVs, and gaming consoles, as well as of course, inset electric fireplaces. There is a range of specifically designed media wall electric fireplaces that have flame tech that will make the fire the main focal point of the wall. You may also want to consider the lighting options for your feature wall when choosing a fireplace, as lots of electric fires on the market are available with additional mood lighting for extra ambience. When it comes to the aesthetic appeal of a media wall, consider how the high-tech set-up will fit in with your wider interior design style. Opt for complementary colours, perhaps in bolder hues to make your feature wall stand out. Many people opt for built-in shelving when designing media walls, which can be ideal for making them more decorative as they allow you to show off trinkets and decorations.
Quiet luxury
For those who appreciate a bit of sophistication and elegance, the quiet luxury trend is perfect for creating an understated yet refined fireplace feature wall. In contrast to bold and eccentric maximalist interior design, quiet luxury is all about subtlety, with a focus on investing in premium quality interiors which are stylish yet embrace simplicity. Less is more when it comes to quiet luxury, but this doesn’t mean that the trend isn’t the perfect option for a fireplace feature wall. You can instead make a statement by investing in a premium quality electric style log burner, or perhaps a real wood-burning stove if you’re looking to combine quiet luxury with traditional or more rustic interiors. A simple yet elegant marble fireplace can be a great option for this trend, especially in a neutral colour like white, as neutrals are a key feature of this trend. Surround your fireplace with high-quality yet subtle design elements. This could be in the form of one or two simple abstract prints, a sleek and sophisticated mirror, or a shelving unit with a handful of minimalist plants. You may also want to choose a simple wallpaper in a neutral shade that is different to the other walls in the room to bring the look together and make it stand out a little more.
Dark western
According to Pinterest Predicts, we’re going to get a touch of cowboy in our interiors this year, as 2024 is the year of “Western Gothic”. This trend is all about taking classic ranch décor and giving it a gothic twist by incorporating dark, moody hues. Searches for “Western gothic” have grown by 145% on the platform, while searches for “country room ideas” have increased by 125%, indicating a surge in popularity in this style of home. A classic wood-burning black stove or fireplace would be the perfect way to incorporate the rustic feel of Western interiors in a classic dark, gothic colour. Wood-burning stoves and fires are also great for creating that warm and cosy atmosphere associated with Western interiors. To complete the look, opt for dark-coloured paint or wallpaper for the feature wall. Black is an obvious choice for this trend, but you can also opt for other dark shades, such as maroon or dark brown hues. You may want to decorate with Western-style wall prints in classic wooden frames or use wooden shelving to display Western-inspired trinkets, such as a horseshoe or a decorative cowboy boot which doubles up as a vase.
Expert tips for feature walls
A fireplace feature wall can be a great option for almost any home, but it’s important to execute it perfectly to enjoy it to the fullest. If the trends above have convinced you to try one out in your own home, make sure to keep the following tips and advice in mind before taking the plunge.
- Which are the best heating options? - Consider the type of fireplace or stove that suits your lifestyle and heating needs. Whether it's a traditional wood-burning fireplace, a gas fire, or an electric one, choose a heating option that aligns with your preferences and the overall design of your space, as well as an option which is convenient for you. The good news is that there are stylish options for any type of fireplace available on the market, including both more contemporary and traditional styles for each fuel type, so you’re sure to find one that you love.
- Consider how many sides of the fire you'd like on view - Electric fireplaces come in various designs, including single-sided, double-sided, and even three-sided options. Think about the layout of your room and how you want the media fireplace to integrate into the space. A double-sided fireplace, for example, can create a seamless transition between two areas, while a three-sided option is sure to make for an eye-catching focal point.
- Keep sizing in mind - You should ensure that the size of your fireplace complements the proportions of your room. A fireplace that's too small may get lost in a large space, while one that's too large can overwhelm a smaller room. Find the right balance to create a harmonious and visually appealing fireplace feature wall. If you plan on having your television above the fireplace, this is another important size consideration. This is especially the case for media walls, as this can be a lot more difficult to change. If you think you might like to upgrade to a larger television in the future, this is something you may want to consider doing before you start planning the dimensions of your media wall.
- Think long term - While our 2024 fireplace trends can be a great source of style inspiration, carefully consider a style that appeals to you best. The good news is that a number of the current interior trends have many timeless elements, from the neutral hues of quiet luxury to the stylish vintage touches of maximalism, so they should continue to be a useful source of inspiration going forward.
- Make a smart media wall - With smart appliances from brands like Philips, Amazon and Google it is easy to take your media wall fireplace to the next level. Wow your friends and family by controlling your home via your smartphone or Alexa. Whether it’s programming the LED lights to come on when you want them to or being able to turn your TV off remotely, smart devices make it incredibly easy and convenient to control and monitor your home from your phone.
- Upgrade your TV - Take movie nights or your home cinema experience to the next level and upgrade the TV in your media wall. Smart TVs are becoming more and more slimline and can be easily integrated into your media wall offering a sleek profile without encroaching too much into your room space.
- Incorporate a sound system - For a true home cinema experience, immerse yourself in the action by adding a sound bar or speaker system to your media wall set-up. A soundbar is arguably the most convenient way of enhancing your TV’s sound, it is a relatively affordable way to introduce an all-in-one sound system to your area.
- Add a games console - Keep you and the kids entertained by adding a games console to your media wall, this is something that the whole family can enjoy! The game console can be hidden in a cupboard, integrated into an alcove or placed on a shelf in plain view.
A feature wall can be a great way to both highlight the beauty of your fireplace and make a statement in your home. And with these 2024 interior statement wall trends you won’t be short of inspiration. The best thing about this year’s latest trends is that there is inspiration for everyone, from those looking to make a bold and vibrant statement with a maximalist feature wall, to those looking for something subtle and more in line with the quiet luxury trend. As well as designing a feature wall you love that complements the rest of your interiors, it’s also important to think about the practical side of things. Different homes benefit from different heating options, so it’s important to think about this. For example, those in a more rural area prone to power cuts will likely benefit more from a bioethanol fireplace rather than an electric model.