30 Painted Brick Fireplaces That Radiate Coziness

Has your brick fireplace seen better days? Freshen it up with paint! Our gorgeous collection of painted fireplaces offers ideas for every design aesthetic, from boho to farmhouse to contemporary. Plus, find DIY tips on how to achieve some of today's most popular brick fireplace looks like German smear, whitewash and more.

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September 29, 2021

By: Allie Holcomb King and Maggie Miller

Related To:

Upgrade Your Brick Fireplace With Paint

One of the best things about cooler weather is the coziness that accompanies the chilly nights — think fuzzy blankets, hot drinks and a crackling fire. The fireplace, which sits unused for much of the year, roars to life in all its blazing glory. But if your brick fireplace is stained, cracked or has seen better days, it could put a damper on your down time. Our solution? A fresh coat of paint.

We've rounded up 30 stylish painted fireplace ideas, plus a few DIY tips for giving your own brick fireplace an update with paint. First up: This outdated midcentury brick fireplace now looks sleek and modern thanks to a coat of matte black paint. The warm tones of the woodpile and snuggly blanket tie in with the surrounding neutrals on the walls, floors and hearth tiles for a totally trendy look.

SEE MORE: Cozy Cottage Featuring Fun Tile

From: Design 4 Corners

Blue-Gray Beauty

This comfy reading room is full of alluring ambiance thanks to a chic powder blue fireplace and downy furniture. A silvery light fixture and blonde open shelving keep it minimal and modern, creating a soothing space that beckons readers to curl up for a while by the fire.

SEE MORE: Now Trending: A Soft and Smooth Powder Blue

Paint It White

Crisp white paint gives this floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace a clean, minimalist look. If you're considering washing your bricks white, follow the link below for step-by-step instructions and handy need-to-knows.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Paint a Brick Fireplace White

From: Eric Aust

Pretty in Pink

In this eye-catching design, bubblegum pink and white are a match made in color heaven. The youthful combination by J. Kurtz Design adds a preppy punch to this modern-chic living space.

SEE MORE: 11 Creative Paint Projects That'll Spice Up Any Space

From: HGTV Magazine

Deep Moody Blue Brick

A minimalist mantel sits atop a deep blue-black fireplace in this sophisticated sitting room. The selective repetition of matching colors and wood textures throughout creates cohesion and acts to elevate the space.

From: sKout

Give German Smear a Go

Transform a boring brick fireplace with this simple technique. A mortar wash, also known as a German smear, is a take on the aesthetic of old European cottages that creates the illusion of antique brickwork. It’s a great, and surprisingly affordable way to add some rustic charm to a space in need of a quick refresh. Follow the link below for a step-by-step tutorial.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to German Smear a Brick Fireplace

Or Give It a Light Mortar Wash

If you love the look of German smear, but don't want to completely cover up the natural color of your brick, follow the same steps listed in the previous slide (the tutorial is linked below), but focus the mortar in the grout lines, instead of spreading it over the entire surface of the brick. The key here? Less is more. You can always go back and add extra mortar later if you want. We love the way this light mortar-washed fireplace complements the wood mantel, adding a touch of rustic charm to this elegant living space.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to German Smear a Brick Fireplace

From: Lexi Grace Design

Stencil Your Brick

Love the tiled look but aren't quite ready to take the plunge? Test the waters by painting a pattern onto your existing fireplace surround, like the geo-stenciled brick seen here.

From: HGTV Magazine

Contrasting Color

Standing out against stark white walls, a midnight black fireplace gives this living space a chic, boho-modern feel. The golden wood mantel and accompanying accent pieces soften the contrast and add an air of coziness to the space.

SEE MORE: You Won't Believe the Transformation of This Boho-Chic California Ranch

Fresh, Farmhouse Chic

White paint gives this brick fireplace a charming, farmhouse-chic look. Warm wood tones and colorful accessories make for an ultra-cozy space while a small piece of floor in front of the fireplace is inset with graphic tiles for a pretty pop of color.

SEE MORE: 30 Farmhouse Dining Room Ideas

From: House of Jade Interiors

Brick-Red Brick

Does your child's room feature a non-working fireplace? Put it to use as a colorful display case for their stuffed animals or favorite toys. Designed by Karen Wolf, this bedroom focal point is painted a warm rust hue — a nod to the fireplace's original brick color.

From: Karen B Wolf Interiors

Gray Contrast

Painted gray brick towers above an austere limestone fire surround, creating a dimensional yet cohesive look. The rich, gray hues offset the room’s stark white walls and soaring windows, giving the eye somewhere to land when taking in the tall space.

SEE MORE: Modern Beach Home with Cedar Exterior

From: Eisner Design

Lovely Whitewash

Mute the harshness of your brick fireplace with this easy whitewashing technique. Preparing the whitewash is fairly simple — mix a 50/50 ratio of water and white paint in an eggshell finish and then apply with a brush. Whitewash adds the right amount of pizzazz and character without looking too stark.

SEE MORE: 50 DIY Home Improvement Projects Under $50

From: Brooke Wagner

Or Give it a Light Wash

Tucked beneath the eaves of this attic bedroom, a soft-washed brick fireplace makes a stunning statement. To achieve this look on your own brick surround, mix 1 part water with 1 part white paint in an eggshell finish. Apply with a brush in small sections, then wipe down with rags to remove most of the paint. Let dry, then continue adding coats until desired shade is achieved. For a finishing touch, sand over all the bricks with a medium grit sanding sponge. This brings touches of the original color through for a rich textured look.

From: Garrison Foundry

Charcoal Texture

A charcoal gray fireplace serves as a striking contrast to the bright, white walls in this stunning living area while a rough-hewn mantel brings attention to the natural texture of the painted bricks.

From: Erica Islas

All-White Scandinavian Design

This white brick fireplace pairs perfectly with pretty, white furniture to create a living room that oozes Scandinavian simplicity. The addition of sandy wood furniture brings the perfect amount of warmth to this crisp, white living room.

SEE MORE: Scandinavian Design Style 101

From: Lauren Henno

Going Gray

From the minds at Design Platform, this cozy kitchen features a fireplace with unique brickwork and a dark tiled hearth. The designers coated the brick in a warm charcoal gray hue to complement the surrounding counters and metallic fixtures. Find more from this designer at the link below.

SEE MORE: Design Platform

From: Design Platform

Creamy Character

Soft vanilla-hued paint freshens up this old brick fireplace while still allowing its original character to shine through. Stacks of books add interest and color.

Gorgeous Gloss

The focal point of this elegant living room is undoubtedly the painting resting above the mantel — a family heirloom inherited from the owner’s mother. While the artwork anchors the room’s aesthetic, the glossy brick fireplace breaks up the soft surrounding textures, naturally drawing visitors' eyes to the painting.

SEE MORE: You Won't Believe the Transformation of This Boho-Chic California Ranch

Charming and Cheerful

This exciting blend of vintage and graphic styles is built on cheerful mustard walls and a brilliant white fireplace. Warm golds and browns in the plush furniture and the geometric lines of the curtains give the artistic space a comforting appeal. Shop the look of HGTV Urban Oasis 2021 (and enter for a chance to win our latest giveaway home) at the link below.

SEE MORE: Shop the Living Room at HGTV Urban Oasis 2021

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Funky and Fun

Drag your home's sunken living room into the 21st century with fresh paint and some modern decor. Here, an indented seating area creates a cozy-cool place to lounge in front of the floor-to-ceiling white brick fireplace. An oversized piece of equine art breaks up the column of white and provides a rustic foil to the sleek midcentury-style chandelier.

From: THELIFESTYLEDCO

Fresh Focal Point

A sumptuous contemporary living room is given unconventional depth thanks to black walls paired with soft beige chairs and cabinets. The snowy brick of the fireplace establishes a striking focal point that keeps the room from feeling too shadowy.

SEE MORE: Pineapple House Interior Design

From: Pineapple House Interior Design

A Splash of Personality

Above this fireplace, a school of fish pokes their golden heads through the white brick. The whimsical art adds a splash (pun intended) of personality to the space, breaking up the stark white walls.

SEE MORE: Contemporary Home With Classic Style and Hip, Colorful Character

From: Maestri Studio

Retro Flair

The gray-painted brick of this fireplace blends seamlessly with the gray walls and furniture in this midcentury-inspired seating area. Pro tip: Candles are always a great option for nonfunctioning fireplaces.

Balanced Boho

The neutral values of gray and white paint on this brick fireplace brighten up this boho pool house, working with the azure hues of the furniture to keep it feeling open and calm. The wooden mantelpiece pulls together the accent table and ceiling panels, adding a layer of welcoming warmth to the overall color scheme.

SEE MORE: 40 Outdoor Structures That Bring the Indoors Out

From: Terracotta Design Build

Black & Gold

This cozy, contemporary living room features a painted brick fireplace surround, a gold-toned screen and inviting cognac leather recliner. A black-and-white patterned pillow provides just the right amount of stylish support.

From: Cheryl Kees Clendenon

A Neutral Backdrop

In stylist Ursula Carmona's contemporary sitting room, a painted white brick fireplace acts as a neutral backdrop to gold sconces, a gold, two-tiered coffee table and a navy blue velvet sofa.

SEE MORE: Tour a Design and DIY Blogger's Trendy, Upcycled North Carolina Home

Counteracting Color

The funky wallpaper and chartreuse accent wall are perfect for this 1930s bungalow turned classy artists’ studio. To keep the retreat from feeling too color chaotic, the rough-hewn brick fireplace was coated in a neutral white, introducing a strong element of calm to the lively palette.

SEE MORE: Tour a 1930s Long Island Bungalow DIYed Into a Creative Haven

Minty Fresh

Not a fan of all-white spaces? Choose a soft paint color like this minty blue to offset your white brick fireplace. This pretty hue lends a splash of color and calm to this living room's cozy sitting area without overpowering the space.

SEE MORE: 13 Ways to Make a Small Living Room Look Bigger

Tying It Together

This space hosts a myriad of vibrant patterns to stunning effect. A coat of neutral paint on the fireplace keeps the eclectic collection from feeling overwhelming by giving the eye a solid resting place. A dark, weighty wood mantel and matching picture frames provide additional structure and order to the energetic decor.

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