An L-shaped fireplace is one of my favorite ways to make a corner feel intentional, not like an afterthought.
Two-Sided Glass Corner Insert
A two-sided glass setup is my go-to when you want the flames visible from the sofa side and the dining side at the same time. I helped a friend plan one like this, and it’s unreal how it makes a corner feel high-end without extra decor.
Check these products out:
- Corner Gas or Electric Fireplace Insert: Create a stunning focal point with a corner unit that offers dual-sided views and modern warmth.
- Woven Wood or Rattan Storage Basket: Store firewood or cozy blankets in a natural texture basket to soften the clean, modern lines.
- Decorative Birch Logs or Fire Glass: Enhance your firebox aesthetic with realistic ceramic logs or shimmering glass for a refined, custom look.
Classic Corner Wrap With Stone
The most timeless look is a corner fireplace wrapped in stacked stone so the firebox turns the edge in a clean L shape. I’ve built this vibe with a chunky wood mantel, and the texture instantly made the whole room feel grounded.
Possibly handy products:
- Electric Corner Fireplace Insert: Upgrade your space with a realistic flame effect that fits seamlessly into corner installations for cozy ambiance.
- White Stacked Stone Ledger Panels: Create a timeless, textured look by cladding your fireplace surround with these easy-to-install natural stone veneers.
- Floating Wood Mantel Beam: Add rustic charm and a solid focal point to your hearth with a sturdy, floating wooden beam.
White Painted Brick L Shape
If your brick feels dated, painting the surround and letting the firebox wrap the corner gives you a crisp L-shaped fireplace moment. I’ve done the white-brick refresh in my own projects, and it’s the fastest way to brighten a heavy room.
You might like:
- Masonry Paint Kit: Refresh dated brick easily with this comprehensive kit, designed specifically to brighten your fireplace without needing primer.
- Floating Wood Mantel Shelf: Add warmth and contrast to your white brick with a rustic wooden beam shelf for displaying decor.
- Decorative Dried Pampas Grass: Soften the hard lines of your masonry and add natural texture by styling a vase with fluffy grasses.
Modern Smooth Plaster Wrap
A seamless plaster or mortar finish makes an L-shaped fireplace look like it was carved right out of the wall. I tried a smooth skim-coat look on a small corner build-out, and the clean lines made my rustic furniture feel instantly more modern.
A few helpful options:
- Venetian Plaster or Stucco Mix: Create that seamless, high-end finish by applying a quality plaster mix to your fireplace surround for elegant texture.
- Trowel and Spatula Set: Achieve smooth corners and a professional skim-coat application with the right set of stainless steel plastering tools.
- Matte Concrete Sealer: Protect your fresh plaster work from soot and dust while maintaining that natural, non-glossy, modern aesthetic.
Chunky Reclaimed Wood Mantel
A thick beam mantel over an L-shaped fireplace adds that cozy farmhouse weight without fuss. I’ve milled reclaimed wood beams with all the knots left in, and they look even better once the firelight hits the grain.
A few choices to try:
- Floating Wood Mantel Shelf: Instantly add rustic charm to your fireplace with a sturdy beam shelf that mimics the look of reclaimed timber.
- Heavy-Duty Mantel Mounting Brackets: Ensure your heavy wooden beam stays securely in place with invisible, floating support hardware for a clean finish.
- Decorative Wood Wax Finish: Enhance the natural grain and protect your wooden mantel from heat and wear with a quality furniture wax.
Low Profile Linear L Fireplace
A long, low linear flame that turns the corner gives you a sleek L-shaped fireplace without a bulky surround. I’ve mocked this up with painter’s tape during a layout consult, and it helped the homeowner instantly “see” the clean, modern proportions.
These products might help:
- Wall Recessed Electric Linear Fireplace: Instantly modernize your living space with a sleek electric insert that offers adjustable flame visuals and supplemental warmth.
- Large Woven Storage Basket: Add natural texture to your hearth area while keeping blankets or firewood neatly organized in a stylish woven basket.
- Textured Area Rug with Tassels: Soften the clean lines of a modern fireplace with a textured, neutral rug that adds warmth and comfort underfoot.
Built-In Shelves on Both Sides
Framing built-in shelving around an L-shaped fireplace makes the corner look custom and balanced from every angle. I’ve built pine shelves and trimmed them out to match the surround, and suddenly the whole room felt finished.
A few suggestions:
- Woven Storage Baskets: Use natural woven baskets to hide clutter and add texture to your shelves for a neat, organized look.
- Decorative Ceramic Vases: Style your new shelving with simple ceramic vases to create visually pleasing vignettes and add subtle height.
- Artificial Potted Plants: Incorporate small artificial plants to bring life and greenery to your display without needing regular fireplace maintenance.
Corner Log Storage Niche
Add a recessed wood cubby so your L-shaped fireplace has that curated stack-of-logs look built right in. I cut a simple niche on a renovation and lined it with smooth plywood, and the firewood ended up being the best “decor” in the room.
Possibly helpful picks:
- Decorative Birch Wood Logs: Style your fireplace niche instantly with white birch logs to add a clean, natural aesthetic to your room.
- Recessed Niche Shelving Insert: Simplify your renovation project by installing a pre-made recessed niche box to hold your decorative firewood securely.
- Tall Minimalist Ceramic Floor Vase: Complement your log storage by placing dried grasses in a tall textured vase for organic warmth and height.
Wood Slat Accent Around the Corner
A vertical wood slat wall wrapping the corner can frame an L-shaped fireplace in a warm, modern way. I’ve made slats from ripped-down reclaimed boards, and the uneven tones give you instant depth without needing art.
Products that could assist:
- Reclaimed Wood Plank Paneling: Transform your fireplace surround instantly with peel-and-stick or nail-up planks that offer authentic texture and rustic warmth.
- Corner Guard Trim Molding: Protect your wood edges and create a clean, professional transition around the sharp corner of your fireplace design.
- Recessed Wall Electric Fireplace: Install a sleek, modern linear fireplace insert to achieve the contemporary look seen in this L-shaped design concept.
Shou Sugi Ban Wood Surround
For a dramatic twist, a charred black wood surround makes the glassy L-shaped fireplace flames pop like crazy. I tested this finish on scrap cedar first, and the contrast looked so good it convinced me to use it as an accent feature.
May just do the trick:
- Charred Wood Wall Paneling: Recreate this dramatic look easily by applying pre-charred or dark textured wood planks to your fireplace surround.
- Black Corner Fireplace Insert: Install a sleek, glass-fronted corner unit to achieve modern elegance and visibility from multiple angles in your room.
- Decorative Birch Logs: Style your fireplace hearth with natural logs to add rustic texture and soften the modern black surround.
Diagonal Corner Build-Out for Better Angles
If the corner is awkward, a slightly angled bump-out can still hold an L-shaped fireplace while improving sightlines. I’ve sketched this option for homeowners who hated their corner layout, and it made furniture placement feel way less forced.
Items that may come in handy:
- Dried Pampas Grass Stems: Add height and soft texture to your mantel display with these fluffy, natural stems for an effortless look.
- Large Woven Storage Basket: Organize throw blankets or fireplace tools stylishly with a sturdy, neutral woven basket that complements wood tones.
- Matte White Ceramic Vase: Create a clean, modern focal point on your shelf or mantel with a simple, sculptural white vase.
Waterfall Stone That Turns the Edge
Let your stone slabs “waterfall” down and around the corner so the L-shaped fireplace looks carved and continuous. I’ve helped source stone-look panels for this effect, and the wraparound detail always gets the first compliment.
Give these a look:
- Faux Stone Panel Siding: Transform your fireplace surround easily with lightweight panels that mimic the look of natural carved limestone.
- Tall Ceramic Floor Vase: Recreate the organic styling of this space by adding texture with a large, rustic floor vase.
- Dried Pampas Grass Stems: Softten the hard stone edges instantly by arranging tall, fluffy dried grass stems in your vase.
