11 log burner surround ideas that will frame your stove in style

The log burner surround ideas you choose will not only have a huge effect on the overall interior design scheme of the room, but they will also frame your stove and ensure it is highlighted properly and receives the attention it deserves.

Not everyone will want the same thing from their log burner ideas. If you are renovating you may well have an existing fire surround that you want to spruce up to house your new wood burning stove, or perhaps you are starting with a totally blank slate.

"Although most practical during the colder months, stoves create an attractive focal point throughout the year," says John Butterworth," director at Arada Stoves. "Stoves now come in a range of sizes and shapes, from contemporary to traditional, so there is a style to suit every home."

We have something for everyone within our carefully-selected round-up of ideas, no matter what your chosen decor style.

Are log burner surround ideas an option?

Some people worry that they won't be able to have a log burning stove at all – usually those with no working chimney. However, fear not because you can have a log burner without a chimney. You will need to install a twin wall chimney flue system though so seek advice from a HETAS registered installer.

1. Inject a little grandeur with a marble surround

Using stone fireplace ideas is a fantastic way to bring a touch of opulence and luxury into any room. Marble has to be one of the most luxurious of all the natural stone varieties and comes in such a huge range of colours and pattern options that is perfect for any kind of interior scheme, from classic to contemporary.

In this traditional living room, a pale white marble, with subtle grey striations, has been used to form the log burner surround – and is the perfect pairing with the ornate wall panelling and classic choice of furniture.

The tiled fireback, laid in a herringbone pattern, adds a little modern touch.

2. Keep it fuss-free with a simple surround

If you are keen to let your log burning stove take centre stage in the room, then you might like to keep your choice of surround on the plainer side and avoid too much detail.

This is an idea that can be created using a range of materials, from natural stone to painted wood, or even a surround constructed from plaster.

This chunky, yet simple, white surround manages to both blend in with the room's scheme at the same time as making an impact – all while allowing the Scandi-style stove, from Arada Stoves, to shine.

3. Skip the surround altogether for a clean finish

There is absolutely nothing in the rulebook to say that a log burning stove has to sit within a surround – and if it is modern living room ideas that are your thing, taking a freestanding approach and skipping the surround altogether can be a great approach. Just remember that you will still require a hearth.

The styling of this little log burner is spot on in this fresh living room scheme. It has been placed on top of a very simple concrete box which is open to allow for log storage – practical and stylish.

4. Achieve a rustic look with exposed brick

If there is anywhere that exposed brick works really well it is when used with rustic living room ideas.

To put this idea into action, you can either strip an existing fire surround of its plaster finish and reveal the brickwork beneath, or, as has been done here, add brick slips to finish off a stripped back wall.

If you plan on using existing brickwork you might find a little repair work is required in terms of the mortar to getting it looking shipshape, and it is a good idea to seal exposed brick too.

The brick surround here has been created using Blend 32, a classic brown-based brick slip blend from The Brick Tile Co.

5. Use your surround to create a colour-drenched space

Colour drenching has become hugely popular in the last year and the ideas you choose for your log burner surround can really help when it comes to the success of this kind of scheme.

Colour drenching, as the name suggests, involves sticking to one colour for almost the entirety of the room – walls, woodwork and even built-in furniture. If you want things to look really dramatic you could even bring your painted ceiling ideas in on the act.

Here, the same rich chocolate shade has been used throughout the space, including for the log burner surround as well as the built-in seating and cabinets either side of the chimney breast.

"We have designed and built so many traditional alcove cupboards surrounding a fireplace and found having a decorative large mirror above the mantlepiece provides a very warm and cosy feel," says Tonie Pepperstreet, designer at Bespoke Carpentry London.

6. Incorporate log storage into your surround

A log burner calls for a good supply of logs if you are going to use it on a regular basis – and this means you will need somewhere to keep a stash close to hand at all times for keeping the fire fuelled.

While there are all kinds of log store ideas you could use both outside and indoors, from sturdy wicker baskets to modern metal log racks, we love the idea of using your surround as a means of housing your firewood.

Here, alcoves have been built into the chimney breast either side of the opening for the stove. The simple timber beam used for the mantle ties the whole look together beautifully.

Shop log storage

7. Sit your log burner within a cosy inglenook

You should seriously consider incorporating a log burner into your inglenook fireplace ideas – they look perfect framed in this way. Inglenooks are basically large openings within the chimney breast that, more often than not, span almost its entire width.

Swapping an open fire for a log burning stove within an inglenook results in less heat loss and tends to be a little more efficient.

Here, a pale brick opening has been topped with a huge oak beam and the whole thing works perfectly with the slate hearth from Melton Stone.

8. Create clean lines with a hole-in-the-wall surround

If you are after modern fireplace ideas then you should know that hole-in-the-wall fireplaces are hugely popular with homeowners looking to create a clean and fresh aesthetic within their homes – and are perfect for everything from Japandi schemes to Modernist.

Here, a modern stove from Arada Stoves has been placed within the crisp opening, while a chunky stone hearth, running the length of the wall, also acts as a hearth.

9. Paint your surround to match your colour scheme

Why not broaden your living room paint ideas a little to incorporate your log burner surround too?

Tying your fireplace in with the rest of the decor will help ensure a cohesive scheme overall but is also a great way to inject more colour, pattern and texture.

"Be bold and add a pop of colour to your living space with a brightly painted stove, or if you have a mantlepiece, use it as an opportunity to display plants, ornaments and personal touches to accessorise the room," suggests Jon Butterworth.

Rather than painting a wooden surround to match the shade on your walls, why not pick up on a shade you have used elsewhere, as has been done here. The deep teal hue has been used for the half-wall panelling as well as being mirrored within the bold botanical wallpaper.

Jon Butterworth

Jon is director at Arada Stoves, a British company that was formed over 40 years ago in Devon and which now manufactures and distributes wood, multi-fuel, gas and electric stoves and fires.

10. Turn your stove surround into a talking point

For the ultimate talking point and to turn your living room fireplace ideas into the central feature of your home, polished marble is your best friend – and if you dare to use it to clad a full-height surround you can be sure of maximum impact.

This beautiful Rainforest Green Marble surround, from Cullifords, features a super sleek built-in log burner and has the added benefit of integrated log storage space too.

11. Coordinate your surround with your furniture

Opting for a wooden surround gives you the chance to bring a touch of warmth into your space – as well as for selecting for some other living room furniture in the same finish. Be sure to think through your fireplace lighting ideas too as they really can help show off the natural grain within timber surrounds.

The design here, from Trade Furniture Company, has been paired with a slimline storage cabinet and would look perfect fitted with a log burner and hearth.

FAQs

Do cast iron surrounds work with log burners?

Cast iron fire surrounds look beautiful in period properties and within traditional interior schemes, but how suitable are they with log burners?

"A cast iron fireplace surround is a great choice to go with a log burner," advises Brian Athey, managing director of heating specialists Renaissance at Home.

“As these surrounds are not combustible, they don’t need as much distance or clearance from the log burner, making them an ideal choice. They also hold heat very well and are very robust.

“We recommend using slate or granite tiles to fill in any gaps around the fireplace," continues Brian. "These materials are easy to clean and maintain, so they're perfect for a woodburning stove."

Log burners are a brilliant way to heat a room fast, plus they add instant warmth and character. If you have been left asking 'what size wood burner do I need?' check out our handy guide.