Many homeowners are discovering that a simple coat of paint can completely change their living spaces.
The difference between the stages of a makeover is often stunning. What once looked heavy and dated becomes bright, fresh, and modern.
In this, we’ll show you real before and after examples of painted brick fireplaces. You’ll see different colors, styles, and techniques that have worked for other homeowners.
These ideas will inspire you and give you the confidence to tackle your own fireplace project.
Why Paint a Brick Fireplace?
Painting a brick fireplace is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to refresh your living space.
Over time, traditional red or brown brick can make a room feel dark or outdated, while a fresh coat of paint instantly modernizes it.
A painted fireplace brightens the area, creates a stylish focal point, and complements any interior style from cozy farmhouse to sleek contemporary.
It’s also a budget-friendly alternative to costly renovations, offering a dramatic makeover with minimal effort.
Painting allows for endless customization: soft whites for a timeless look, deep charcoals for refinement, or warm neutrals for comfort. Beyond aesthetics, paint also helps seal porous brick, protecting it from dust and soot buildup.
Painted Brick Fireplace Ideas to Refresh Your Living Space
A painted brick fireplace can completely make your living space, adding warmth, character, and a modern touch without the need for a full renovation.
1. Classic White
Dark red brick fireplaces instantly brighten when painted classic white. The before shows a heavy, dated orange-red brick that made rooms feel smaller and darker.
After painting white, the fireplace becomes a fresh focal point that reflects light throughout the space.
This works beautifully in traditional and modern homes alike, making ceilings appear higher and rooms feel more spacious and inviting.
2. Soft Gray Elegance
Orange brick fireplaces gain sophisticated charm with soft gray paint. Before the bright orange tones clashed with modern décor and furniture.
After applying warm gray, the fireplace blends seamlessly with contemporary color schemes while maintaining texture and character.
Gray offers versatility, complementing both cool and warm accent colors. This update creates a calming, upscale atmosphere perfect for living rooms and family spaces.
3. Charcoal Drama
Outdated tan brick becomes a bold statement with charcoal paint. The before shows bland, light-colored brick that disappeared into the walls.
After painting deep charcoal, the fireplace commands attention as a dramatic focal point. This dark makeover works especially well in rooms with plenty of natural light.
White or light-colored walls create a striking contrast that feels modern and intentional rather than dark and heavy.
4. Cream Warmth
Brown brick fireplaces soften beautifully with creamy paint. Before painting, the muddy brown tones felt outdated and cold.
After applying warm cream, the fireplace maintains its cozy feel while looking fresh and updated. Cream paint works wonderfully in farmhouse, cottage, and traditional styles.
Offering warmth without the heaviness of original brick. This subtle tone complements wood tones and creates inviting, comfortable living spaces.
5. Black Bold Statement
Faded red brick changed into modern luxury with matte black paint. The before shows worn, inconsistent brick coloring that looked tired.
After painting black, the fireplace becomes a sophisticated architectural feature that anchors the room.
Black painted brick works best with lighter walls and floors, creating intentional contrast. This dramatic choice suits contemporary tastes, making old fireplaces feel deliberately stylish.
6. Two-Tone Contrast
Orange brick gains dimension with two-tone painting. Before, the monotonous brick was shown throughout.
After painting the surround white and leaving or painting the firebox black, this technique highlights architectural details and creates visual separation between functional and decorative areas.
Two-tone approaches work across all design styles, offering customization while maintaining the fireplace’s structural character and improving its overall appearance.
7. Limewash Finish
Dark red brick softens with the limewash technique. Before shows harsh, uniform brick color. After applying limewash, subtle variations and the brick’s natural texture show through the matte finish,
Creating European-inspired character. Unlike solid paint, limewash allows brick to breathe while providing color.
This method suits farmhouse, Mediterranean, and rustic styles, offering an aged, authentic appearance that feels both historic and refreshed.
8. Navy Blue Makeover
Yellow-toned brick is covered with navy blue paint. The before reveals a dated golden brick that felt too warm.
After painting deep navy, the fireplace gains refinement and pairs beautifully with brass, gold, and warm wood accents.
Navy works exceptionally well in traditional and transitional spaces, offering depth without the severity of black while creating a rich, jewel-toned focal point.
9. Sage Green Serenity
Orange brick finds calm with sage green paint. Before the change, the bright brick drew inappropriate attention.
After painting the fireplace a muted sage, it blends harmoniously with natural, organic design schemes. Sage green creates a tranquil and complements plants, natural wood.
This unexpected color choice works beautifully in bedrooms, sunrooms, and nature-inspired living spaces seeking peaceful, grounded energy.
10. Off-White Subtlety
Bright red brick mellows with off-white paint. The before shows aggressive red tones that overwhelmed the décor.
After painting soft off-white, the fireplace maintains a presence without dominating the room. Off-white offers more depth than pure white, sterile appearances, while still brightening spaces.
This shade works across all design styles and complements virtually any color palette, making it a safe, versatile makeover choice.
11. Greige Modern Neutral
Pink-toned brick updates with greige paint. Before shows dated mauve brick from the 1980s. After painting the greige, a perfect gray-beige blend.
The fireplace feels current and refined. Greige bridges warm and cool tones, working with both silver and gold accents.
This neutral suits contemporary and transitional styles, offering subtle elegance that won’t compete with furniture or artwork while providing a polished, cohesive look.
12. German Schmear Technique
Uniform brick gains European character with German schmear. Before shows plain, evenly-colored brick.
After applying mortar wash partially covering bricks, a varied texture and an Old World appearance emerge.
German schmear suits farmhouse, cottage, and rustic styles, offering authentic character that looks intentionally aged rather than simply painted over.
13. Glossy White Modern
Textured brick becomes sleek with glossy white paint. The before shows a rough, uneven brick surface.
After applying high-gloss white, light reflects dramatically, creating a contemporary polish. Glossy finishes make small rooms feel larger and work beautifully in modern and glamorous spaces.
This will completely change the brick’s rustic character into something refined, smooth, and decidedly urban, perfect for lofts and contemporary apartments.
14. Taupe Paint Decor
Red-orange brick warms elegantly with taupe paint. Before reveals builder-grade brick with harsh tones. After painting rich taupe, the fireplace gains subtle warmth and upscale appeal.
Taupe works beautifully with leather furniture, natural materials, and transitional design. This neutral feels more intentional than beige, offering sophistication without coldness.
Taupe-painted brick complements both traditional and contemporary furnishings while maintaining a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
15. Whitewash Transparency
Dark brown brick lightens with the whitewash technique. Before shows heavy, oppressive brick color.
After applying thinned white paint, brick texture and slight color variations remain visible while the overall appearance brightens significantly.
Whitewashing offers a middle ground between painted and original brick, maintaining rustic character while updating the look. This technique suits farmhouse, coastal, and casual styles.
16. Warm Beige Comfort
Cold gray brick warms with beige paint. The before shows uninviting cool-toned brick. After painting soft beige, the fireplace radiates warmth and comfort.
Beige creates cozy, traditional atmospheres and pairs beautifully with wood furniture and warm metallics.
This suits family rooms and bedrooms where warmth and comfort are priorities, making spaces feel welcoming and lived-in rather than stark or modern.
17. Muted Terracotta Accent
Faded pink brick revives with muted terracotta paint. Before, the show washed-out, lifeless brick. After painting earthy terracotta, the fireplace gains warmth without overwhelming brightness.
This unexpected color choice works beautifully in Southwestern, Mediterranean, and bohemian styles, complementing plants, natural fibers, and warm wood tones.
Terracotta painted brick creates focal points that feel both fresh and rooted in natural, earthy design principles.
18. Pearl Gray Refinement
Yellow brick cools with pearl gray paint. The before reveals a dated golden-yellow brick. After painting luminous pearl gray with a slight sheen, the fireplace gains refined elegance.
Pearl gray offers more visual interest than flat gray, catching light beautifully throughout the day.
This sophisticated neutral works in formal living rooms and master bedrooms, creating calm, polished environments that feel expensive and thoughtfully designed.
19. Burgundy Statement
Before shows bland, forgettable brick. After painting deep burgundy, the fireplace becomes a rich, cozy focal point perfect for traditional and holiday décor.
Burgundy works beautifully in dining rooms, libraries, and formal spaces, creating intimate, sophisticated atmospheres.
This bold choice suits those wanting warmth without neutrality, offering depth and character that feels both classic and distinctive.
20. Dove Gray Softness
Harsh red brick softens with dove gray paint. The before shows aggressive, attention-grabbing brick.
After painting the gentle dove gray, the fireplace recedes appropriately while maintaining presence. Dove gray offers perfect neutrality, working with any accent color or design style.
This creates peaceful, cohesive spaces where the fireplace supports rather than dominates the room’s overall design, allowing furniture and artwork to shine.
21. Distressed White Farmhouse
Orange brick ages beautifully with the distressed white technique. Before shows plain, perfect brick lines.
After painting white and strategically sanding edges and high points, a charming, worn character emerges. Distressing reveals hints of original brick color, creating an authentic farmhouse appeal.
This technique suits cottage, shabby chic, and rustic styles, offering vintage charm that looks collected over time rather than freshly renovated, perfect for character-filled homes
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Painting Your Brick Fireplace
Avoid these common fireplace painting mistakes to ensure a smooth, durable finish that enhances your brick’s beauty and lasts for years.
- Skipping the Cleaning Step: Painting over dirty or soot-covered brick prevents proper adhesion and leads to peeling or uneven texture later.
- Using the Wrong Type of Paint: Regular wall paint can’t handle heat. Always use high-quality, heat-resistant masonry paint for durability and safety.
- Skipping Primer: Brick is porous and absorbs paint unevenly without primer, resulting in patchy coverage and faster wear.
- Painting Over Damaged Brick: Cracks, chips, or loose mortar should be repaired before painting to avoid structural and aesthetic issues down the line.
- Not Testing the Color First: Brick absorbs color differently. Test a small patch first to see how it looks under your room’s lighting.
- Applying Too Much Paint at Once: Thick coats can trap moisture and cause bubbling. Apply multiple thin layers for an even, lasting finish.
- Ignoring Proper Drying Time: Rushing between coats leads to streaking or peeling. Allow adequate drying time as recommended on the paint label.
Conclusion
As you’ve seen, updating your brick fireplace can completely change the look and feel of your entire room.
You don’t need to tear anything down or hire expensive contractors. With the right prep work, quality paint, and a weekend of effort, you can achieve professional-looking results.
Remember, every amazing painted brick fireplace before and after story started with someone taking that first step.
Gather your supplies, pick your perfect paint color, and get ready to fall in love with your fireplace all over again. Your dream living space is just a few coats of paint away!
