Paint Colors to Refresh Brick Fireplaces

Brick fireplaces bring warmth and style into any room they inhabit. However, over time even the most classic brickwork can start to seem dull and dated. Painting brick fireplaces offers a simple, budget-friendly way to spruce up the space and make it seem fresh.

Choosing the right paint colors allows you to transform the fireplace into a stunning focal point. The color palette possibilities are endless, whether you want your fireplace to dramatically pop against the walls or seamlessly blend into the background.

Preparing Brick Fireplaces for Painting

Before picking those eye-catching paint colors, the existing brickwork needs some care and attention to ready it for a makeover.

Deep Cleaning Brick Surfaces

Over years of use, smoke, soot, and cooking grease effuse into brick, leaving grimy dark stains settled into the crevices. Using a sturdy wire brush, scrub pads and putty knife, meticulously clean all surfaces with an ammonia-based degreasing cleaner. Work the solution thoroughly into the porous brick and mortar, let sit 5-10 minutes then rinse very thoroughly and allow a full 48 hours to completely dry out.

Assess Damage and Repair

Damaged brick mortar lines or missing bricks present special prep challenges. Carefully remove and replace broken bricks to match existing. Use brick mortar compound to fill cracks or rebuild crumbling joints between bricks. Smooth uneven textures with mortar for the ideal painting surface.

The Importance of Priming

Most surfaces require priming before painting, especially porous materials like brick, which will voraciously soak up paint. Priming bricks first provides a uniform sealed base coat so the new paint colors really 'pop' against the background. It also allows for smoother application and enhanced adhesion.

For best bonding prep, use an alkali-resistant primer formulated specifically for masonry and brickwork. Apply an even coat using a roller or paint pad applicator. Let the first coat fully dry, then apply a second blockage coat and let dry completely before painting. This seals in any remaining traces of dirt while creating a blank canvas for your color creativity.

Choosing Paint Colors and Effects for Brick Fireplaces

The primed and prepped brick fireplace now awaits your creative paint color magic touch. Keep the existing room palette and style in mind when selecting shades and techniques to beautifully transform the space.

Playing With Creamy Whites

Crisp, clean shades of white wash over brick with cheer and lightness to open up rooms with mostly dark wood or finishes. Barely-there soft beige Antique White presents a subtle update for a more natural faux brickwork look. Or make it 'pop' dramatically against darker walls with vivid bright white.

Neutral Earthy Shades

For a more subtle makeover integrating with many color schemes, an array of earthy beiges, greys and light mocha browns blend seamlessly into the background. Perfect for those favoring a calmer, serene aesthetic. Lay on some faux texture with buttery pale Almond Brick or try on deep, dark Chocolate Brown tones evoking an authentic aged patina look.

Punchy Paint Colors

Vibrant paint choices create maximum contrast and focal impact. Herb green, denim navy or fire engine red colored brick ignites old world cottage charm against more neutral room palettes. See the fireplace architecture pop with contrasting bright white bricks against charcoal mortar lines.

On-Trend "Cottagecore" Styling

The cozy escapism trend of cottagecore style highlights natural earthy elements and a less modernized, simpler existence. Tap into the trend with brick painted in light & airy Robin's Egg Blue conjuring quaint whitewashed Mediterranean buildings against sun-washed plaster walls.

Paint Techniques For Applying Color To Brick

Beyond just choosing basic paint colors, experiment with sheens, textures and faux finish techniques to take brick fireplace makeovers to the next level.

Solid Color Block

Covering fireplace bricks completely with solid coat paint visually blends and "blocks" them in with same-tone walls. The flat matte finish keeps the texture looking natural. For subtle luminosity adding depth, consider soft sheens like eggshell or satin.

Dramatic Contrast With An Accent Wall

Highlight the fireplace architecture and enhance visual impact by painting only the area of brickwork immediately surrounding the firebox. Framed out in soft neutral walls, rich charcoal grey painted bricks will dramatize the depth and dimensions.

Integrated Color Schemes

Tie everything together using derivative tints of the same color scheme on fireplace, walls and decorative details. Benjamin Moore's Color Stories makes it easy to translate one central shade into an entire coordinated palette for a pulled-together designer look.

Complementing The Space With Decor Updates

A newly painted focal point fireplace also serves as inspiration for refreshing the entire room's color scheme and decor elements.

Style The Firebox

Inside the firebox, add faux burnt wood logs, glowing candles or decorative colored glass pebbles to play off the new brick colors. Or install gas firebox inserts for modern convenience without compromising classic charm.

Update Bordering Architectural Features

Repaint, restain or replace wood mantels, beams and ceiling trim to coordinate or artfully contrast with the fireplace's painted surround. Freshen hearths and walls with on-trend ceramic, porcelain or encaustic patterned tiles that pick up accent colors.

Reimagine The Palette

Repaint walls in lighter, brighter versions of the featured fireplace color for integrated cohesion. Crisp clean white wainscot trim and ceilings keep eyes focused on the fireplace as the focal point while serving as a framing off-set.

Caring For The Renewed Brick Fireplace

With a bit of periodic care and maintenance, your newly painted brick fireplace can retain its renewed brilliance and beauty for many years.

Cure Time Before Use

It is crucial to allow fresh paint proper cure time for maximum bonding and hardened protection, especially with heat exposure. Let paint cure fully for at least 2-3 weeks before using the fireplace or hanging/installing anything on painted surfaces.

Seal For Added Protection

Once fully cured, flooding the brick surface with two protective topcoats of clear brick sealer adds extra scratch, moisture and heat damage resistance. Reseal painted brick fireplaces every two years.

Preserve The Renewed Look

To keep colors fresh, carefully inspect for possible cracking or peeling every year and spot fix paint flaws as needed. Every 3-5 years, giving the entire fireplace a new coat of the same paint renews the transformative colors.

A painted over brick fireplace easily reimagines tired rooms of any type with energizing color and possibility. The mini makeover impact can enhance kitchens, bedrooms, dens or craft rooms with your unique stylistic stamp.

Have fun with picking paint colors, sheens and finishes that highlight your favorite architectural detailing while harmonizing with your personal tastes and style.