7 Beautiful Ideas for
Painting Interior Brick Fireplaces

For a faster, more profitable home sale

1. Camouflage an unsightly brick fireplace with paint color

Painting interior brick is a great way to lighten a bright red brick wall or camouflage a hideous fireplace, like the one featured in the picture above. 

Try this inexpensive do-it-yourself solution below:

• Paint the entire brick fireplace the same color as the walls next to it. Doing so will cause the fireplace to appear to recede, or seemingly blend into the walls. It becomes less obtrusive.

This is a home staging trick that fools the eye into thinking the brick fireplace has diminished in size and importance, a camouflage-like effect.

2. Paint your fireplace a dark color for a contemporary look

If you aren't trying to sell your home, feel free to break away from the home staging rule of using light, neutral colors.

If you're not concerned about your room appearing too dark or small, in other words, if your living room is large with plenty of natural light, go ahead and paint your fireplace black or navy for a fun, contemporary look.

3. Select a stunning color to showcase your fireplace

This gorgeous color transforms an old-fashioned brick fireplace into a real head turner! An eye-catching color like this will turn a drab fireplace into a stunning focal point.

If you are brave enough to go with a dramatic fireplace color like this, be sure you truly LOVE it before you wield your paint brush.

Paint a swatch of your chosen color onto a large piece of drywall or plywood first. Place it on your fireplace mantle or hearth.

Live with the color for a week and be sure to view it at different times of the day under alternate lighting. 

Colors can change dramatically under natural and artificial lighting conditions. Paint color undertones can be tricky and you may not like what you see under incandescent lighting.

This color is called Ocean Abyss MQ6-1. Look for this, and many other beautiful paint colors in Behr's 2022 Color Trends palette.

Note how the crisp white mantle adds a contemporary flair and lightens the look.

4. Paint your fireplace in a light, neutral color tone

This monochromatic room style is the best color scheme for small rooms and home staging.

This red brick fireplace has been toned down by white washing in a creamy, neutral color that blends in well with the walls and shelving on each side. 

White washing the brick (instead of going opaque) allows the beautiful rustic texture of the brick to show through.

The gorgeous wood slab mantle is the perfect partner for the brick and enhances the rustic look. 

Note how the neutral-colored paneled wall color is carried up onto the ceiling, heightening and enlarging the feeling of space.

Shelf accessories are neutral, earthy tones and sparsely arranged, contributing to an open, airy feeling. 

5. Paint your brick fireplace a neutral, gray color

Gray remains a popular design color into 2023. 

It's such an easy neutral color to design your home decor around--any added color simply looks great next to it.

Any of these gray shades from this 2023 Sherwin Williams paint palette would look fantastic on your brick fireplace!

Note how the designer of this room used photographs to support the symmetry of the fireplace features and to prevent the dark gray color from overwhelming the room.

The white walls, light-colored upholstered sofa and natural lighting from the large windows also keep the room from feeling too dark.

The bright colored chair and pillows brighten and add some pizzazz to the space.

6. Use color contrast to emphasize architectural details

This symmetrical room is perfectly balanced by the architectural features, dark paint and furniture layout. I love this room!

Okay, so the fireplace isn't exactly brick, but look how stunning the painted mantle and side posts are in contrast to the light, neutral color elsewhere in the room!

The black painted fireplace mantle and surround, the clock, even the ceiling, emphasize the fireplace as the central focal point. Repetition of dark color on the ceiling and windows all tie this room into a perfect little bundle.

7. Turn a floor to ceiling brick fireplace into an accent wall

Turn a massive red brick fireplace into a focal wall with white paint and decorative items. Interesting downlighting and offset accessories downplay the size of the brick wall.

The eye just naturally goes to this focal wall. I bet this room was dark and gloomy before the brick was painted white. 

Painting interior brick instructions--let's get started!

Clean the brick before washing it

Brick fireplace cleaning supplies:

• wire brush 
• nylon bristle scrub brush
• Soap or TSP (trisodium phosphate)
• drop cloth
• heavy plastic 
• painters tape
• vacuum with a hose attachment
• Sponges
• face mask
• goggles
• rubber gloves

Step 1:  Protect the fireplace surround with a drop cloth or piece of heavy plastic. Tape off any areas with plastic you don’t want painted, like fireplace inserts and walls.

Step 2:  You must start with a clean surface, so begin by brushing your fireplace with a wire brush, scraping away any loose mortar and efflorescence. Efflorescence is that white stuff that leaches out of brick— deposits of salt buildup. Once you're done, clean the dust from the fireplace surface and floor using a vacuum with a brush attachment.

Wash the brick before painting

Always spot test first on an inconspicuous part of the fireplace.

Step 3:  Using a nylon bristled scrub brush or sponge, clean the surface free of soot and dirt with mild soap and warm water, and wipe clean with fresh water and a clean sponge.

Another cleaning option is INSL-X All Purpose Citrus Cleaner. This is a biodegradable, phosphate-free concentrate that you need to dilute with water.

If soot persists, or you need to remove cigarette smoke residue, use TSP, (trisodium phosphate). Mix 1/2 of TSP to 2 gallons of water. Be sure to wear goggles and gloves for protection when working with TSP.

For super stubborn soot, spray with “Johnson Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner” and leave on for about 5 minutes. Scrub off with a nylon bristled scrub brush. This product works really well on soot! Repeat, if necessary.

If you plan to paint the inside of the fireplace, be sure to clean it, as well. You will need a special heat-resistant paint for the firebox.

After cleaning, let the brick and mortar dry completely for up to 24 hours. The brick may feel dry on the surface but could still be damp inside, so give it plenty of time just to be safe. 

How to paint a brick fireplace or wall

Supplies you will need to paint brick:

• Drop cloth Stain-blocking, oil-based or acrylic primer for masonry, like Fresh Start High-hiding All Purpose Primer (046)
• Latex paint, in a semi-gloss finish, like Regal, Advance, or Aura paint
• A heat resistant paint for the firebox 
• 2 Paint rollers covers with long naps, 1/2" to 3/8" naps
• 2 small paintbrushes
• Paint roller tray with extra inserts
• Painter's tape
• A roller extension pole to reach the higher areas of a floor-to-ceiling fireplace (optional)
  

Selecting a high-quality paint is crucial to achieving a superior finish on your brick fireplace. 

Choose masonry paint products specifically made for brick, from primer to finish coat. Masonry paint allows the brick to “breath.”

For the final coat, select a 100 percent acrylic paint with a semi-gloss finish if you want to highlight the brick texture. Be aware that a glossy paint will highlight any imperfections in the brick.

A flat paint will have a matte finish and is the better choice for hiding flaws.

Sherwin-Williams makes a great breathable latex paint, called SuperPaint Acrylic Latex.

Or, if you want to try a white-washed look, Home Depot has the white-wash paint you need to create this rustic farmhouse look.

Once you've taped off all the edges of the fireplace and trim, you are ready to prime!

Step 1:  Using the small brush, work the paint into the mortar between the bricks. Once that's done, grab the paint roller and start painting the face of the brick at the top of the fireplace or wall and work your way down.

Bricks are very absorbent, so you may need another coat, especially if you are painting in a light color. Let the paint dry completely between coats, overnight for best results.

Step 2:  Repeat the process with the latex paint. Be sure that the paint is rated to withstand temperatures up to 200 degrees F. Apply additional coats, as needed.

Don't use this paint on the interior of the fireplace. The firebox will require a special heat-resistant paint.

For a video demonstration on painting a brick fireplace, watch below. Thank you, Buildipedia for this instructive video!

Return from painting interior brick to depersonalizing your home

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Updated 10-26-2023