So, you’ve landed on this blog post, “DIY Painted Brick Fireplace Before and After (2024),” and I bet you’ve been pondering whether to paint your brick fireplace, am I right? It’s not exactly a decision you make on a whim—after all, it’s brick we’re talking about here—and let’s face it, once you paint it, there’s no turning back. It’s definitely a bold move, and if you’re anything like us, I was all for painting it while my husband was a tad unsure. Maybe you’re facing that same hesitation too!

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The Decision to Paint Our Brick Fireplace

In the end, we looked at our living room and felt it needed a bit of a facelift, and the fireplace was a natural place to start. After tossing around ideas, we decided that a fresh coat of paint could modernize the space and give it the vibe we were going for. Sure, it was a bit of a project, but we were up for the challenge! Plus, we figured it was a great way to add our personal touch to our home decor. So, armed with paintbrushes and plenty of enthusiasm, we dove right in and got started on transforming our fireplace into something truly special.

About Our Original Brick Fireplace

Our house was built during the 1980s with standard stock everything, I mean everything and the red brick fireplace was a lot like the rest of our house – a bit lackluster. The fireplace sits on the outside wall of our family room and is very much the focal point of the space. The hearth is high leading the mantel to sit unusually high at eye level. This was done to scale the fireplace to our tall cathedral ceiling. The bricks on the fireplace surround were nothing special and the overall design was relatively simple. I have always loved the arched fireplace opening but otherwise, the brick was dark and dated and the mantel lacked interest. All was in great shape just unimaginative and uninspiring. Can you tell I didn’t like it?

Expanding our Existing Mantel

Once my husband was onboard with painting the brick and looking more closely at our existing fireplace he suggested we also upgrade the mantel by removing the existing mantel and building a new, more substantial mantel. We headed to Lowes to plan this part of the project and played around with different molding and decorative boards. We decided to build a box (or in building terms a soffit and fascia) using primed 1″ x10″ pine. For the flat part of the mantel we used a primed 1′ x12′ pine and then to connect the two and to add some detail we used 3.5 crown molding.

We ultimately settled on using primed 1″ x10″ pine for the box. This piece of the mantel extends 9″ from the wall and covers some of the brick and is 63″ long. For the flat part of the mantel, we went with a primed 1′ x12′ pine and had it extend 3/4 of an inch all around. This piece measures 69″ long. Then to connect the two and to add some detail we used 3.5″ crown molding attaching it at a slant. In the photo below you can see we removed the old decorative molding but left the mantel boards and built around them.

To finish the nail holes were filled with wood putty, sanded, and then painted with Benjamin Moore- Chantilly Lace. You can see in the photo below the impact of the changes made to the mantel by expanding it. It went from lackluster to stunning with a much-needed updated look.

Preparing to Paint the Brick

With the mantel done we then moved to prepare the brick fireplace surround. Luckily it was in great shape as brick surfaces go and no repair was needed, just clean up. The first thing we did was use a wire brush and vacuum to remove soot, cobwebs, and any loose debris to have a clean surface to paint on.

We put down a drop cloth to protect the floor and we decided to use painter’s tape inside of the firebox to delineate what was being painted and what was being left. We chose not to paint the firebox itself and leave it, charred brick and all. I felt the darkness in the firebox would be striking against the newly painted brick and add some contrast and character.

Supplies for this Painting Project

• Quart of paint ( we used Benjamin Moore – Chantilly Lace in Eggshell)
• Paint can opener
• Painters bucket tray
• Paint brush
• Painter’s tape
• Drop cloth
• Wire brush
• Vacuum

Painting the Brick

Once everything was prepared we took a very simple 4″ flat paint brush and began painting the brick and mortar. We found that using a brush was easier than a paint roller so we could get into the textured rough surfaces of the natural brick. I had envisioned a German schmere/white-washed look and so I wanted our first coat to be light allowing the brick to show through. Actual German schmeer requires a mortar wash and is a thick medium that is strategically placed on the brick to allow exposed areas. Think of thickly covered areas of white mortar with a very thin layer showing the red brick. I wanted something a bit more uniform so we decided to paint using a basic interior latex paint from Benjamin Moore and went with the same color in a semi-gloss finish as the woodwork in our living room where this fireplace is. We did a light coat and then wiped the bricks with a damp rag resulting in a white-washed appearance. Here’s where we were after the first coat.

Note: We did not water down the paint as other DIY’ers do. We felt there was no need to with the paint we used. We also did not prime. We have a lot of confidence in the coverage of Benjamin Moore Paints and they did not disappoint wth this project!

6 Year Update:

We painted this fireplace in 2018. After 6 years it still looks like the day we painted it. It doesn’t require much cleaning just the hearth needs to be wiped down (because the dogs are on there a lot!) and of course, the top of the mantel gets dusty!! We do use the fireplace and there has been no discoloration of the white bricks. These photos are from this past October (2023).

How to Paint the Inside of a Working Fireplace

We did not paint the inside of our fireplace since most of the time it is covered with my DIY fireplace cover. However, painting the inside of your fireplace, also known as the firebox, can rejuvenate its appearance and enhance your overall fireplace makeover. Here’s how to paint your firebox in three easy steps:

1. First, Purchase Some High Temperature Paint: High temperature paint is specifically formulated to withstand temperatures up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. You can choose between brush-on or spray types depending on your preference. Brush-on paint offers more control during application, while spray-on paint can be quicker. Ensure proper ventilation as these paints often have a strong odor until they dry. Selecting black paint is a common choice due to its neutral tone and ability to hide soot. However, colors like beige, off-white, or almond can create a bright, fresh look, especially if you don’t burn real wood or use your fireplace frequently.
2. Next, Clean and Prep Your Firebox: Lay down a drop cloth or old sheet to protect your flooring. Remove any remaining wood, soot, and ashes using a shop vac or sturdy broom and dustpan. Make sure all embers are extinguished and cool before disposal. Take out metal log holders to ensure the firebox is empty and ready for cleaning. Use soap, water, and a suitable firebox cleaner to remove creosote and soot buildup from the walls and sides. A scrub brush or long-handled sponge can assist in this process.
3. Finally, Apply the High Temperature Paint: Once the firebox is clean and dry, brush or spray on the high temperature paint to cover the walls, sides, and floor of the firebox. Ensure proper ventilation by opening windows and doors until the paint dries completely. After drying, there should be no lingering odor.

Frequently Asked Questions About Painting Brick Fireplaces

The difficult part of painting your brick fireplace is deciding to do it! Once the decision has been made and the process starts it’s really a very simple DIY project. I have yet to meet someone who regretted this decision and most, like me wished they had painted their brick fireplace years ago. A simple fresh coat of white paint on a dark and dingy old brick fireplace can give a room a whole new look! Not to mention it will feel like you have a brand new fireplace!

After the mantel and brick paint job was done we then moved on to the overmantel where we built a shiplap panel. Then I made a simple fireplace cover using peel-and-stick wallpaper to finish this fireplace makeover.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post, DIY Painted Brick Fireplace Before and After(2024), and found it to be helpful. I also (secretly) hope I talked you into pulling the trigger on your brick fireplace makeover!

Keep creating friends!