The allure of a brick fireplace is undeniable, but when it starts to show its age, painting can be a quick and easy solution to revamp its look. Before you start brushing up on your painting skills, let’s weigh the pros and cons. Painting a fireplace can completely transform the aesthetic of a room, allowing you to achieve the style you’ve always wanted.
However, once you paint over red brick, there’s no going back – the pores are closed, making it impossible to reverse the process, whether you use masonry or flat paint. With that in mind, consider what color palette would work best for your space. Neutral shades like tan and off-white can create a calming atmosphere, while bold colors can make the fireplace the focal point of the room.
When it comes to choosing the right paint, opt for interior latex paint that’s heat-resistant, capable of withstanding temperatures up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. For the firebox itself, you’ll need a specialty paint from your local hardware store – avoid using exterior brick paint on this area.
A Couple of Tips for Painting Your Brick Fireplace
While painting your brick fireplace may seem like a straightforward task, it can actually require a significant amount of time and effort. It’s essential to plan ahead and allocate sufficient time for the project, as rushing through it may lead to subpar results. To ensure a smooth process, start by using a wire brush to gently remove any built-up soot or debris that has accumulated in the mortar joints over the years. Once the surface is clean, you can begin painting the primary color.
However, be sure to wait until this layer is fully dry before moving on to paint the mortar itself. To achieve a professional-looking finish, use painter’s tape to protect surrounding areas from stray drips and opt for a high-quality brush to deliver smooth, even strokes.
White Fireplace with Black Shiplap
In modern fireplace designs, the traditional boundaries of firebox and hearth are being redefined. By incorporating other building materials, homeowners can create unique visual interest and depth. For instance, a fireplace might feature a marble-clad surround that juxtaposes beautifully with a black shiplap back wall. This striking contrast is further accentuated by the white shelving and cabinetry on either side, resulting in a visually appealing combination of textures and hues.
White Brick Fireplace
The timeless appeal of a clean, white painted brick fireplace is undeniable. Its classic design is enhanced by the integration of the surround and overmantel into one seamless piece, distinguished only by the wooden mantel that separates them. This flush design successfully blends modern sensibilities with rustic charm, creating a visually appealing space.
Light Gray
When designing a yellow living room, consider incorporating light gray as a background color that effortlessly blends with the surrounding decor. To avoid drawing attention away from other design elements, opt for a matte paint finish that creates a subtle, understated look. A lesser-known secret to streamlining your painting process is utilizing chalk paint, which eliminates the need for tedious prep work such as stripping, sanding, and applying primer coats.
As a water-based option, chalk paint also meets the requirement of being heat-resistant, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas. Its one-coat application process allows for swift coverage with a paint roller, reducing overall painting time. For larger quantities of chalk paint, visit Home Depot to take advantage of their convenient store offerings.
Black Brick Fireplace
While black brick fireplaces can certainly make a statement, they don’t necessarily need to dominate the space. The key is finding a paint color that balances their presence without overpowering the room. In reality, there’s no one-size-fits-all ‘black’ when it comes to paint colors – just as white paint can have subtle variations, black too has its lighter and darker nuances.
Blue Brick Fireplace
In a mid-century modern living room, the fireplace becomes a show-stopping focal point when painted with a soothing medium to light blue hue that straddles the spectrum between cornflower blue and royal blue. This timeless shade, reminiscent of French toile’s classic palette, effortlessly imbues the space with vintage charm.
White and Gray
While traditional red brick fireplaces present one set of challenges, direct vent gas fireplaces with ribbon burners require a unique approach. The flames and heat emanating from these types of fire surrounds still necessitate consideration, despite being fueled by gas rather than wood. However, painting these modern fireplace designs can be a more straightforward process compared to traditional brickwork.
In this particular example, the striking contrast between the semi-gloss white facing and the matte grey overmantle creates a visually appealing and modern aesthetic, as seen via Perfection Supply.
Coastal Blue
In a coastal home, a calming color scheme is employed to evoke a sense of serenity and airiness. A striking example is this living room, where the darker tones are relegated to the lower portion of the space, as seen in the red brick fireplace. Meanwhile, the upper half of the room is treated with a soft off-white hue, effectively creating a refreshing atmosphere.
Shades of Black
In this modern library setting, the recessed ceiling lights emit a warm yellow glow that beautifully highlights the undertones in the black paintwork. This subtle nuance not only adds depth to the space but also serves as a testament to the transformative power of lighting. The fireplace, in particular, stands out for its striking contrast with the surrounding bookcases.
While initially appearing jet black, the fireplace’s slightly lighter shade is only revealed under the warm light of the recessed fixtures, serving as a poignant reminder that perception is often shaped by the way we illuminate our surroundings.
White Brick Fireplace with Light Gray Mortar
Step into a unique space where contrasting styles converge, as velour chairs mingle with stained glass windows. The focal point is elevated by the Moroccan-inspired panel on the fireplace, which adds visual interest to an otherwise standard white brick surround. A clever touch is the use of gray mortar to define the brick’s texture, imbuing the space with character.
Fountain Blue
Incorporating Spanish flair into a modern living room design, this space seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary elements. The striking light blue facing and mantel serve as a showstopping focal point, expertly drawing attention away from the white walls and built-in shelves. The tile in the sealed firebox is beautifully highlighted by this bold accent, creating a harmonious balance that effortlessly merges old-world charm with sleek, modern sophistication.
Cinderblock Gray
Elevating a ventless gas fireplace to classic status, the gray hue evokes the rustic charm of an aged cinder block structure. This design is particularly well-suited for a transformation via chalk paint. The versatility of this material allows you to effortlessly layer new colors over the existing finish, making it easy to revamp the space when redecorating.
Gunmetal Black
While not everyone may appreciate the boldness of dark brick fireplaces, those who do swear by them would never opt for their lighter counterparts again. When executed properly, these dramatic focal points can bring unparalleled elegance and warmth to a room.
Patterned Tile Fireplace Surround
For those looking to add a touch of elegance to their home’s decor, consider framing your black firebox with a tiled fire surround and hearth. While it’s possible to source similar tiles at retailers like Home Depot, homeowners who opt for this approach can actually save money by taking a more creative route. By painting the fireplace white and then applying a stencil design over the area, you open up a wider range of color options for your overall aesthetic.
All Brick Fireplace
In a thoughtful nod to modern aesthetics, the homeowners opted to maintain the sleek, monochromatic vibe by employing black tiles for the fire surround and hearth. The choice was then carried through to the remainder of the fireplace, with the classic mantel also featuring this striking hue.
Brown
In this cozy setting, a traditional fireplace with a flush surround takes center stage, its bronze wash finish subtly showcasing the undertones of the original brick hue. The monochromatic aesthetic is elevated by a single, consistent wall color, while a floating mantel cleverly adds visual height to the space, creating a sense of grandeur.
Gray and White
The focal point of this room is a magnificent gray fireplace, distinguished by its imposing pilasters that create a sense of symmetry. Above the mantel, a large mirror perfectly complements the surrounding architecture, while the white brick fire surround adds a touch of elegance and refinement.
White and Black
When it comes to a white fireplace facing, you’re presented with numerous creative options. To match your room’s ambiance, consider opting for a glossy, semi-gloss, or matte finish. For added visual interest, why not incorporate a faux marble finish? This classic combination of white and ebony marble finishes could result in a striking duotone effect that elevates the overall aesthetic.
German Smear
The German smear technique is reminiscent of country cottage style, where a stone fireplace is created by building upon existing brickwork. To achieve this effect, apply white mortar to create heavy, irregular grout lines on the red brick surface, mimicking the look of aged stonework. This design element can be seen in its entirety here, where an overmantel finished in shiplap and a floating wooden mantel add to the overall cozy ambiance.
The result is a realistic and inviting space that exudes warmth year-round.
Traditional Gray Fireplace
To give your older fireplace a modern twist without sacrificing its classic charm, consider adopting a tone-on-tone aesthetic. This approach involves pairing similar shades of gray, where the fireplace’s darker hue is complemented by the surrounding gray walls. The lack of a mantel maintains a traditional style, while the color combination itself brings the look into the contemporary realm.
As seen in this example, the result is a sophisticated and cohesive space that seamlessly blends past and present.
Creamy Brick Fireplace
In the traditional style, subtle nuances are introduced through the strategic incorporation of muted neutrals and carefully placed pops of color. A perfect example is the fireplace, which harmonizes seamlessly with the room’s aesthetic by featuring a soft white surround complemented by a sleek black matte hearth.
Patterned Tiles and Stone
When it comes to designing your living space, there’s no need to limit patterned decor to just one area. In fact, incorporating a fireplace tile pattern can be a fantastic way to add visual interest and cohesion to the room. The clean lines and subtle gray tones of the mantel and facing frame provide a perfect backdrop for the fire surround tiles, which work in harmony with the overall color scheme of the space.
All White Brick Fireplace
The warm tones of white brick and hearth seamlessly blend with the neutral hue of the sand-colored hardwood floors, creating a harmonious atmosphere in this coastal abode. The presence of three framed abstract art pieces adds a touch of modernity, subtly contrasting against the natural surroundings, bringing an air of sophistication to the space.
Whitewashed Wonder (German Schmear)
To execute the German smear technique on a red brick fireplace, consider painting it white. This process typically involves priming and preparing the surface. However, you can achieve a unique whitewash effect by omitting the primer and allowing some of the original brick paint to show through, creating an organic look. Alternatively, products like Brick Anew offer a paint kit that preserves the realism of stone or brick while still allowing for color changes.
Creamy White Brick Fireplace
In modern interior design, oversized brick fire surrounds can sometimes dominate a room’s atmosphere. Their massiveness can indeed create a sense of heaviness, making it challenging to achieve a light and airy feel. However, cleverly repainting the entire structure in a soothing color like white can transform it into a calming focal point that harmonizes with adjacent design elements, such as mint-colored walls and peach-hued accessories.
Modern Sophistication
The introduction of a dark gray ribbon fireplace serves as a seamless addition to the overall neutral aesthetic. Notably, it harmonizes with the adjacent sectional sofa, while also providing a thoughtful complement to the brown hues found in the furniture and floor.
Dark Plaster
When working with plaster on walls similar to painting brick, there’s a key difference you can leverage to your advantage. By adding dye to the plaster, you can create a durable surface that resists chipping when topped with latex paint. This unique approach can be particularly striking in a bright and airy room, where a dark plaster surround can bring a sense of calmness and serenity.
Green Brick Fireplace
In a bold departure from traditional decor, this living room’s eclectic charm shines through its bright yellow walls and vibrant accessories. The fireplace itself features a striking combination of white paintwork and exposed brick, with the natural green hue of the brick surrounded by gray mortar, adding a touch of organic warmth to the space.
Gray Brick and Wood Fireplace
To revitalize a Tudor-style room, it’s essential to strike a balance between honoring the space’s heritage and introducing modern elements. One way to achieve this is by incorporating timeless design features, such as the large fireplace painted a rich, dark gray. The wood-stained mantel and overmantel add a touch of nostalgia, transporting you back in time.
These classic accents can be paired with more contemporary pieces to create a unique and inviting space that celebrates its Tudor roots while embracing modern sensibilities.
