Let’s face it: There’s no better way to spend a cold, snowy winter than nestled in front of a fireplace. But what are you supposed to do with your fireplace the rest of the year? Or if you live in a hot, dry climate year-round?

Most people think of a fireplace as strictly utilitarian, but the truth is it can be a major design moment. From practical to straight-up pretty, here are nine unexpected ways to style your fireplace:

1. Spare Storage

(Image credit: A Beautiful Mess/Joshua & Sarah Rhodes)

Turns out, the early bird gets the worm—and some major design kudos. If you like to plan ahead of time, chop your firewood before winter strikes and pile ’em inside your fireplace. Let A Beautiful Mess show you how it’s done.

2. Effortlessly Eclectic

(Image credit: David Tsay)

In Schoolhouse Electric founder Brian Faherty’s home, Emily Hendersonstacked an eclectic mix of books, framed prints, and candles on the mantle. The result? A fireplace that makes a statement without trying too hard.

3. Wall to Wall

(Image credit: Sarah Gibson/Cassandra LaValle)

Have a faux fireplace? As Coco Kelley proves, a little bit of wallpaper can go a long, long way.

4. Flower Power

(Image credit: The Decorista)

These oversized blooms from The Decorista add some unexpected drama to the fireplace. Best of all, you can recreate this look in every season. Peonies in spring and poinsettias for winter, anyone?

5. Green With Envy

(Image credit: Chinasa Cooper)

Speaking of flowers, Siria Alvarez and Emmanuel Perez‘s fireplace in West Harlem is the definition of #PlantGoals.

6. Light Up The Night

(Image credit: Room for Tuesday)

If you ask us, Room For Tuesday‘s candle cluster looks significantly cooler than a single open flame.

7. Deck The Halls

(Image credit: Design Love Fest)

Take a page out of Design Love Fest‘s book and add contemporary, year-round garland. It’ll give your fire a festival flair without looking like a holiday hangover.

8. Art Deco

(Image credit: Jessica Isaac)

You can easily copy Denise Palma‘s California cool fireplace with some peel-n-stick tile decals.

9. Page Turner

(Image credit: Pablo Enriquez)

Calling all book worms: Your love of reading—and collecting way more books than your bookshelf can hold—can double as a cool design opportunity. Check out how Adam Pash and Ellen Flaherty turned their apartment into a book lover’s paradise.