Easy Brick Fireplace Makeover Ideas
Do you have a brick fireplace that feels really outdated and isn't necessarily the focal point you want in your space? Well you're in luck because a brick fireplace makeover is one of the easiest and most budget friendly DIY projects you can do and it will completely change the way your space looks and feels.
I come from a family of DIYers and there's a running joke that if my mom didn't like something, she'd paint it white. In fact, my dad thought she was crazy when she painted our floor to vaulted ceiling stone fireplace white... but it turned out so good that it remained that way. - We never ended up demoing it.
Brick fireplaces are a common hiccup in many homes because they can feel outdated and don't reflect the desired style of a space. But by painting a brick fireplace, using plaster or cement, or an easy DIY veneer you can absolutely redo your fireplace.
So if you've been wondering how to update a brick fireplace on a budget you're in the right place! Today I'm sharing brick fireplace remodel ideas that will get you the inspiration and the information you need to take on your own brick fireplace makeover.
I've combed the internet for you and found the best red brick fireplace makeover ideas to modernize your red brick fireplace. You can jump over to each resource to follow the tutorials, including how to prep and prime the brick and choose the right paint solution for you. In the meantime, let these DIY fireplace makeover examples get your imagination wheels turning and spark your creativity!
Can you paint a brick fireplace?
The answer is a resounding yes! This is the easiest and most cost effective of the fireplace makeover ideas we'll show you today.
Let's take a look at some painted brick fireplace ideas to get you started.
Painted Brick Fireplace Makeovers- Neutrals
Painting fireplace brick is often the easiest way to update a fireplace in terms of time, money, and effort.
White painted brick fireplace makeovers
White paint on a red brick fireplace is all it takes to totally transform the look and feel of a room. And it's a whole lot easier than tearing out and replacing the fireplace!
CC and Mike turned a small boring red brick fireplace into a stunning room focal point by replacing the old mantel, adding brick up to the ceiling, and painting the entire brick fireplace surround white to complete this floor to ceiling brick fireplace makeover.
Pro Tip: Choose fireplace brick paint—indoor, latex, heat-resistant paint (either flat, semigloss, or gloss) that’s rated to withstand temperatures generated by the fireplace (up to 250 degrees).
Amy of Amelia Lawrence Style & Design convinced her die-hard "never paint brick" husband to paint their gas-lit red brick fireplace - and now he wishes they would have done it sooner! There is nothing like white brick paint to refresh and brighten up your living space.
Need help choosing the right color for your fireplace makeover?
Black painted brick fireplace
When budgets are tight, you don't have to skimp on beauty. This painted black brick fireplace adds depth and drama to a family room and pulls in color from the builtins, window trim and room decor.
Jess at Bright Green Door painted her red brick fireplace with only one coat of paint. The deep dark black sets off the mantel, shiplap and greenery.
Gray painted brick fireplace makeover
An old brick fireplace surrounded by retro wood paneling went from stuck in the '60s to sleek and contemporary with just a simple paint job. White paint for the paneling and gray for the fireplace, and - voila! - the room was completely changed.
Fireplace Brick Paint In Bold Colors
Traditionally people paint fireplaces the same color as the surrounding walls, or one or two shades darker or lighter. In particular, neutral shades like gray and white are go-to colors for updating a brick fireplace.
But if you're looking to make a bold statement there are other colors to paint a brick fireplace. To really make a style statement, consider painting your brick fireplace non-traditional colors like green, dark blue and even pink.
Pro tip: Experts recommend that a primer be used if the fireplace is working (rather than for decoration). A good primer will prevent paint from cracking and staining later due to heat, and also act as a humidity barrier (because of the flue). Allow primer to dry completely before painting, preferably 24 hours.
Whitewash A Brick Fireplace
If you love the rustic style of red brick and want to retain that look but still update the fireplace, a whitewashed brick fireplace is the way to go.
Whitewashing is basically watered down white paint that lets some of the texture and color of the brick peek through. You control how heavy or light you want the white to be, depending on how much water you mix into the paint.
Professional painters often recommend lime wash instead of whitewash. Lime combines minerals, water, and lime for a coating that soaks into the brick (whitewash sits on top of it). Lime wash is more expensive than whitewash, but more flexible to work with and fabulous at achieving an antiqued, distressed look.
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Cover A Brick Fireplace
Shiplap fireplace
Mimzy over at Mimzy and Company decided to cover over a deteriorated brick fireplace starting with an underlayment plywood.
From there she added horizontal strips of 12 inch shiplap and crown moulding, leaving a small frame of brick around the firebox and painting the entire thing white (except the firebox, which is a heat-resistant black).
I love how the bright, clean white is balanced by the brick hearth, still in its original condition.
Stone fireplace
Andrea of Pine and Prospect Home was intrigued by the idea of covering their fireplace with AirStone because it looks and feels like real stone but weighs a whole lot less!
She placed gray Airstone directly over the existing brick, using adhesive applied with a putty knife. The result adds a beautiful rustic warmth to the room, and the fireplace is subtly offset by Repose Gray painted walls.
Cement Fireplace
Smearing an old brick fireplace with cement was the perfect solution for Chloe at Boxwood Avenue.
Cement is durable and non-flammable and the finished look is clean, smooth and simple. This can be a DIY project, but Chloe chose to call in a professional tile mason.
Plaster Fireplace
Unlike concrete, plaster over a brick fireplace still shows a faint brick outline. Jamie of So Much Better With Age chose a plaster that would fill in the gaps between the bricks to create a smoother surface, then she plastered over the brick. She finished it off with a coat of Behr Swiss Coffee.
Pro tip: Before you attempt a DIY fireplace makeover, consider consulting an expert when:
- Your house is older and you might be dealing with old lead paint/hazardous materials or new building codes
- Your existing brick is chipping, deteriorating, molding or in overall poor condition.
- You have concerns about fire safety or combustible clearances and want the reassurances of a professional
