Before you address the fireplace, I think your seating arrangement for watching TV should be addressed. This is not working. No one sets up a sofa jammed in the corner like that.

Here are two alternate solutions for your room.

Is this an electric fireplace or a gas insert fireplace?

I don't see what you find objectionable on the fireplace. unless you want to paint over the wood mantle surround.

How about an area rug to add the contrast.

I’m sorry, I should have mentioned that this furniture is not mine. This is a rental, and I have concerns with the fireplace. Thanks for your furniture placement pics.

What concerns?

I'll be honest, redoing just the fireplace is going to make the rest of the room (including that furniture AND it's placement) very bad.

The ENTIRE room needs to be redone.

for instance, why is that large sofa back in the corner?

Can you take some better pictures that show the entire room? There has to be a better layout you can do .

This is a rental? how much can you do to that fireplace?

As for inexpensive redo on the fireplace, I'd start by painting that mantel and styling above and around it a bit better.

Personally, I'd paint the whole wall black, DIY some of these wood slats (it's cheap and easy) maybe move the tv over on that wall and rearrange furniture

get rid of that traditional mantel, get a piece of wood and have this type

remove your mantel, (you already have the black surround) and DIY something like this.

Get some unfinished wood cabs and make your own 'built-ins'. paint

this was done w/IKEA bookcases

if you like the tile idea, match this

another DIY. you could easily do this do your wall and fireplace. this is brick, but your black tile is fine. just remake a surround like this, paint. find some bookcases you can paint. add some tongue/groove paneling. paint.

look on FB marketplace for upgraded furniture, coffee table, side table.

lose that media cabinet and mount the tv to a wall. find something better to put beneath it.

or mount it over the fireplace

and rearrange furniture.

need more pictures and what you're working with

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I should have made myself clearer right from the start. This is house that I will be renting to my daughter. I was just wondering how I could set the fireplace somewhat apart from the flooring, since that will be staying. Sorry for the confusion.

how I could set the fireplace somewhat apart from the flooring,

I'm still not quite grasping what you want. All you want if the fireplace to 'work' w/that floor? what about everything else? the fireplace isn't in a vacuum. Everything in the room should work together. what furniture do you plan on getting? a rug? coffee table? what do you think about moving the tv or mounting it to a wall? what about the fireplace suggestions I posted?

really need more feedback if you want help

I think that a pretty rug, nice furniture, art on the walls, window treatments, tables , lamps , etc are needed to take the focus away from the fireplace. This could be a very lovely room.

Please do not paint the fireplace gray! I hope that fad has passed.

I think I put the cart before the horse. Once the room has been put together, then we can decide what to do. I was going in the direction of painting the manual, but I’m going to hold off. Thanks to everyone for your wonderful ideas.