How To Tile Your Fireplace For The Perfect Retro 80s Look

While using tiles in or around a fireplace is an age-old practice due to their durability and resistance to heat, the popularity of this element as a visual trend rises and falls, with many early 20th-century homes boasting gorgeous tile fireplaces that eventually gave way to a popularity of brick, wood panels, and stone in the mid-century. The 1980s, however, gave tile new life, with many homes featuring geometric tiles in earth tones or pastels with high gloss finishes, as well as a growing popularity of folk art-inspired and Tuscan-style tiles that would continue into the 1990s. While the look of these older tiled fireplaces may seem dated today, there are many great ways to put a new spin on a retro 80s fireplace using new materials, patterns, and designs that are fresher and more contemporary. The key is looking for unusual patterns and retro colors that make the tile a statement piece rather than just an accent.

Installing tile on your fireplace can add flair and vintage charm no matter your aesthetic. These new tiles are available in many materials, including ceramics, glass, and others that are fire-resistant. Not only can tile be a stunning design element, but installation can be less expensive per square foot than using more luxe stones or brick. Tile is also easier to clean than these other materials.

For an updated retro look and creative fireplace makeover, seek out tiles that boast retro colors, including shades like brown, tan, yellow, and orange. Or opt for soft pastels like aqua and baby pink, which are also often associated with the decade. To update the look and bring it into the new millennia with a nod to the past, choose patterns that look like art themselves, including abstract geometric designs, retro starburst imagery, or classic black-and-white checks. You can also add interesting new textures, like using metallic tiles or iridescent zellige tiles in nature-inspired colors like green. Other great tile styles to put a modern spin on an outdated fireplace are Arts & Crafts style florals, hand-painted tiles, patchwork designs, and tiled murals.

When tiling your fireplace surround, there are also creative ways to place it that offer a retro flair, including along the sides of the surround or covering the entire chimney above the mantel. You can also create a tiled decorative border around the base and hearth that contrasts with other tiles or materials like stone or brick.