14 fireplace back panel ideas
Finding the right fireplace back panel ideas to fit your interior design will help elevate your home decor.
Whether your home is a modern property, log cabin, farmhouse, or cottage, a fireplace is often the focal point.
A stylish fireplace is the perfect canvas to hang your Christmas stockings and a warm and welcoming spot to host visitors.
If you’re looking for the best fireplace back panel ideas to light up your home decor, this article is for you.
Best back panel fireplace ideas
Fireplace back panels are available in many exciting styles and varieties to make your fireplace a fashionable focal point.
Kindle your interest with these blazing fireplace back panels.
1. Tiled fireplace back panels
Fireplace tiles add vintage vibes and personality to any room. Modern patterned tiles are great for breathing life into a neutral, minimalist fireplace.
Or, choose Victorian-style tiles for a classic look. Victorian fireplaces usually boast ornate fireplace tiles on their cheeks. So, keep your tile choice sympathetic for a traditional, period-style Victorian fireplace like the one below.
Check out our fireplace tiling costs guide, or find a professional tiler for the best finish.
2. Natural stone cannot be forgotten
Return to nature in your fireplace design with a natural stone fireplace back panel.
Natural stone fireplace back panels can be constructed in many styles and finishes. Opt for large, even chunks of limestone for a seamless look or large, uneven stones to match a rustic room. Thinner pieces of slate go a long way in adding texture and depth.
You can also match your natural stone fireplace back panel and hearth. Top it with a stained oak mantel for a beautiful contrast between materials.
Are you considering renovating your fireplace? Read our fireplace restoration article before you get started.
3. Black fireplace back panel ideas
Think of a black back panel as the little black dress of fireplaces. Choose a sleek black back panel for a classic, modern fireplace design that will never go out of fashion.
Pair your black back panel with a white timber or white marble fireplace surround, mantel and hearth. See how your eyes are drawn to the beautifully chic contrast of this fireplace back panel amidst its neutral surroundings. This interior design choice is spectacular in clean, minimalist homes and period properties.
Although black metal is a top choice, you can also use MDF or laminate fireplace back panels for a striking contrast that lets the flames pop.
4. Go monochromatic with your mantel
This grand and dominating fireplace needs little embellishment to become the focal point. When renovating an ornamental fireplace, choose one dark or bold colour for your mantelpiece, fireplace back panel, and hearth.
Pair with a simple plain brick chamber to finish the look. These subtle light brown bricks look rustically natural against the bold black of the fireplace back panel and surround.
Protect your exposed brick chamber with brick sealant to avoid damaging your bare bricks. Or, if your old bricks are caked in messy cement, why not repoint them for a brand-new, clean look?
Find help in our article ‘Repointing Victorian brickwork’, or find a builder near you who can help.
5. Bright brick fireplace back panels
Using a white wash paint or another neutral colour such as grey or cream for your fireplace back panel lets you complement your stylish neutral home decor.
A white-wash brick back panel, white timber mantel, surround and adjoining shelves look stylish and keep your interior design clean and simple. It’s also a great way to lighten brown brick that could distract from your fire.
But, sometimes, a fireplace just can’t be saved. Don’t go anywhere before reading our guide on fireplace hearth removal.
6. More monochrome for a modern marble look
Did you know adding a marble fireplace that matches the surrounding colour scheme can create a seamless and stunning monochrome look? Yes, even in a bathroom.
Turn your fireplace into a traditional or modern fireplace design with sleek marble black panels and matching surroundings that look incredibly high-class.
Matching most interior designs, marble fireplace place back panel ideas also give flexibility in the design scheme you choose in the future.
7. Match marble with timber
Another great marble back panel option is to match your marble fireplace with timber. With various finishes of marble to choose from, you can have fun with your wood and marble choices. Go for striking black timber or modern white, or even paint your timber mantel bold or bright to match your colour scheme.
Do you want a gloriously traditional mantel and surrounding cabinets to match your period home decor? The result is stunning, but only when you call a professional carpenter with the tools and experience to achieve these results.
Find out how to find the most cutting-edge carpenter near you today.
8. Neutral tile fireplaces never fail
Tiled fireplaces are a timeless choice to infuse classic style into your home.
When vintage Victorian tiles aren’t your thing, brighten up a neutral living space with eye-catching fireplace back panel tiles to breathe life into your fireplace design. Choose neutral tiles for your back panel that blend in with your fireplace surround and design scheme while still creating a focal point in your fireplace.
Don’t forget to look for a tiler or fireplace installer to help.
9. Opt to match your overall decor
One of the easiest ways to get the most out of your fireplace back panel is to match it to the room’s aesthetics. Consider how your back panel will look in conjunction with the rest of the room. Think about the material, not just the colour.
As you can see from this marble fireplace, the back panel and white timber surround create contrast in a predominantly grey living room, while the specks of grey in the marble help to create cohesion.
If you have a blocked-off fireplace and dream of a beautiful fireplace to finish your decor, consider opening up your fireplace.
10. Go for a gold back panel
Take inspiration from this luxurious fireplace back panel if you’ve got the Regencycore bug. Go for a high-end, classy aesthetic with a slim gold back panel to add luxury to a white, ornate fireplace.
This fireplace design works because the rest of the interior design is muted and classic for a stunning finish. The neutral walls, white woodwork and gorgeous wood herringbone tiles all draw your eye to the gold of the fireplace back panel.
11. Mix with a media wall
When you want to get your TV off the floor, combine your choice of fireplace back panels with your media wall for ultra-convenience and modern vibes.
The owners of this open-plan living space have it right. Combining a black laminate fireplace back panel with grey slate stones in tones from light to dark is impressive and creates a cosy space to chill and entertain.
Interested? Read this article to find a media installer near you.
12. Decorative with slim tiles
Laying small tiles is a great idea when you’re looking to upgrade your fireplace back panel. Not only do slim, dark, or bold tiles add interest and contrast to a neutral fireplace, but they’re a relatively easy way to DIY your fireplace back panel.
These white herringbone tiles used as a back panel are stunning. They add interest and depth to the fireplace without removing the overall look and feel.
13. Choose a white fireplace back panel in laminate
Because it’s affordable, versatile, and durable, laminate fireplace back panels remain popular. Resin is used to fix sheets of paper or fabric bonded to a substrate for a durable and easy maintenance back panel.
Laminate back panels blend effortlessly with your interior design and are available in various colours, designs, and textures. Why not opt for a black patterned laminate fireplace back panel to match an opulent, bold blue living room?
If you don’t like the price tag of natural marble, use marble laminate back panels to create an impressive but budget-friendly high-end design to match your home.
14. Fireplace back panel mdf ideas
MDF (medium-density fibreboard) back panels are another fashionable but cheap back panel for fireplaces. For starters, MDF rear panels are affordable, low maintenance and lightweight, making installation easy. If you only want to upgrade your fireplace rather than deal with a whole renovation, MDF is a good choice.
Like laminate back panels, MDF back panels are available in various colours, designs, patterns, and finishes that make it easy to match your home decor to your fireplace. Check out two of our favourite back panel MDF ideas below.
Why not match a matt black fireplace back panel MDF with a contrasting grey surround for a chic and contemporary look?
Or, use a white laminate back panel and fireplace surround for a clean, minimalist look that blends in with the rest of the space.
Fireplace back panel FAQs
What is a fireplace back panel?
A fireplace back panel is a panel that sits at the back of the fireplace directly between the fireplace and the fireplace surround. The back panel doesn’t do anything and isn’t essential, but it does a lot for your fireplace’s overall look and feel.
What material is used for the back of a fireplace?
Brick, concrete, metal, and MDF are famous for fireplace back panels. These materials withstand heat well and do a great job of protecting the wall behind the fireplace from dirt and heat damage.
Finding a fireplace back panel idea to suit your style and needs is easy; back panels can also be purchased in marble, slate, granite, and laminate.
Timber is also an option for back panels, but wood should only ever be used for electric fireplaces (for obvious reasons!).
Do you need a back panel for a fireplace?
You don’t need a back panel, but a fireplace back panel is critical to a fireplace’s overall look and ambience. For a sophisticated look, ditch the bare walls between the fireplace opening and surround and opt for a back panel.
To create the right warm and homely vibes with your back panel, consider your interior design scheme to ensure your back panel is aesthetically pleasing in conjunction with your home decor.
How to fit a fireplace back panel
We always recommend hiring a professional tradesperson for potentially dangerous DIY jobs. Any good and trusted fireplace installer will ensure your fireplace back panel is fitted safely and correctly, that suitable materials are used, and should give you a HETAS certificate.
But, if you really want to know how to fit a fireplace back panel, here’s a quick step-by-step guide:
- Check the manufacturer’s instructions
- Make sure you’re adhering to health and safety precautions
- Remove your old back panel and clean the area
- Measure the space so you know your new back panel fits
- Carefully position the back panel in place with the correct adhesive
- Don’t forget to check that your panel is level with a spirit level – adjust if necessary
- Don’t use the fireplace until the recommended adhesive drying time has passed
Find out what other jobs you should never DIY here.
If you’d prefer to get your fireplace back panel professionally fitted, you can find a trusted tradesperson through the Checkatrade directory. Pop your postcode in the box below to get started today.
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