34 Stunning Painted Brick Fireplace Ideas to Transform Your Space
Your old brick fireplace doesn’t have to stay stuck in the past.
With just a few coats of paint, you can completely transform this focal point into something that matches your style perfectly.
Whether you’re drawn to classic white, bold colors, or trendy techniques like whitewashing, these gorgeous ideas will inspire your next home makeover project.
01. Classic White Craftsman Style
Credit: Design by Velinda Hellen for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
70K+ People Bought this $29 game-changer Last Month (The Reviews Are Insane)
You’ll love how white paint creates a cohesive look when you extend it from your fireplace to surrounding built-ins.
This timeless approach instantly modernizes dated red brick and dark wood combinations. The uniform color scheme makes your entire living space feel brighter and more sophisticated.
02. Rustic Whitewashed Brick
Credit: Design by Jessica Nelson Design / Photo by Carina Skrobecki Photography
Whitewashing lets you enjoy the best of both worlds by allowing some original brick color to peek through.
This technique creates beautiful texture and depth that solid paint can’t match. Pair it with a crisp white mantel for that perfect modern farmhouse vibe you’ve been wanting.
03. Dramatic Matte Black Statement
Credit: Laquita Tate Interior Styling & Designs
Black paint transforms your fireplace into a stunning floor-to-ceiling focal point that commands attention.
Balance the drama with warm wood tones and plenty of greenery throughout your space. Natural light prevents the dark color from overwhelming your room while adding sophisticated elegance.
04. Textured Skim Coat Finish
Credit: Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Amy Neunsinger
Skip traditional paint and try a concrete skim coat or limewash for incredible rustic texture.
The purposefully rough, uneven surface adds authentic cabin charm that complements whitewashed wood walls beautifully. This technique works especially well in cozy, casual living spaces.
05. Sophisticated Charcoal Gray
Credit: Home Consultant
Charcoal gray paint grounds your floor-to-ceiling fireplace while maintaining a modern, minimalist aesthetic.
This color works beautifully with exposed beams and slanted ceilings in contemporary homes. Consider skipping the mantel entirely to preserve clean, streamlined lines throughout your space.
06. Bold Blue Feature Wall
Credit: Dans le Lakehouse
Deep blue chalk paint creates an unexpected pop of color that completely changes your room’s personality.
Extend the color onto the surrounding wall for maximum impact and visual cohesion. Add warm lighting through wall sconces to prevent darker paint from feeling flat or cold.
07. Clean Midcentury Modern White
Credit: Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Margaret Austin Photo
Smooth white paint gives midcentury homes a fresh, contemporary update while preserving their original architectural character.
This approach looks clean and timeless without compromising the vintage charm you love. The bright finish reflects light beautifully in open-concept living spaces.
08. Two-Tone Dark Surround
Credit: Arbor & Co.
Create depth by using blue-black paint on the exterior and true black inside the firebox.
This sophisticated color combination adds modern flair to traditional brick fireplaces. A crisp white mantel provides the perfect contrast while tying into your existing trim work.
09. Playful Mint Green Accent
Credit: Mary Patton Design
Bold mint green paint instantly transforms an ordinary fireplace into a stunning statement piece that reflects your personality.
Don’t worry about making mistakes – paint is forgiving and changeable if you want to try different colors later. This cheerful hue works beautifully in eclectic, colorful spaces.
10. Subtle Light Wash Technique
Credit: Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer
A light wash of white paint adds gorgeous texture while letting some original brick color show through naturally.
This bedroom fireplace technique pairs beautifully with dark wood mantels and rich ceiling beams. The layered look creates visual interest without overwhelming your sleeping space.
11. Serene White and Wood Combination
Credit: Design by Bria Hammel Interiors / Photo by Spacecrafting
Painted white brick surrounds paired with natural wood mantels create the most serene, calming atmosphere in your home.
This combination adds perfect texture that suits modern aesthetics much better than traditional red brick. The neutral palette works with any decorating style you choose.
12. Warm Beige Firebox Detail
Credit: Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Erin Kelly
White paint on your fireplace wall creates beautiful texture, especially when you add a beige firebox for warmth.
This color combination echoes throughout your space when you extend beige paint partway up surrounding walls. The layered approach adds sophisticated depth to open-plan living areas.
13. Modern Black and White Contrast
Credit: Ashley Montgomery Design
White-painted brick walls look stunning when paired with graphic black subway tile in herringbone patterns inside the firebox.
Add a rustic stained wood mantel to complete this transitional look perfectly. The mixed materials create visual interest while maintaining a cohesive, modern aesthetic throughout your space.
14. Outdoor Patio Fireplace
Credit: Mary Patton Design
Semi-gloss white paint on outdoor brick fireplaces creates a beautiful anchor point for covered patio spaces.
The bright finish contrasts beautifully with brown furniture and natural fencing materials. This approach works especially well with stainless steel appliances and green landscape accents nearby.
15. Earthy Olive Green Statement
Credit: Cassie Bustamante
Transform your dated fireplace into a modern focal point using rich, earthy olive green paint that feels both trendy and timeless.
Carry the color onto adjacent walls for maximum impact throughout your open-plan space. Balance with white and black accents for a sophisticated, contemporary look.
16. Double-Sided Modern Update
Credit: Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Raquel Langworthy
Fresh white paint modernizes stepped, double-sided fireplaces that might otherwise feel dated or overwhelming in open spaces.
The uniform color helps large fireplace walls blend seamlessly with your room’s architecture. This approach makes renovated spaces feel fresh and cohesive rather than disjointed.
17. Soothing Blue Transformation
Credit: Lovely Etc.
Sometimes the first paint color attempt isn’t quite right, but don’t give up on your fireplace makeover dreams.
This soothing blue shade stands out beautifully against white walls and pairs perfectly with chunky wood mantels. The calming color creates a welcoming focal point you’ll love daily.
18. Minimalist White Brick Wall
Credit: Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Erin Kelly
White paint on seventies-era brick fireplaces highlights beautiful texture while completely modernizing outdated spaces.
Deep black paint inside the arched firebox creates dramatic contrast and definition. The overall effect feels minimalist and streamlined rather than heavy or overwhelming in your living room.
19. Weathered Wood and Whitewash
Credit: Design by Bria Hammel Interiors / Photo by Spacecrafting
Whitewashed fireplaces paired with weathered wood mantels create the perfect coastal vibe in traditional living spaces.
This combination complements vintage accents and soft blue-and-white color palettes beautifully. The relaxed finish works especially well with ceiling beams and casual furniture arrangements.
20. Layered Black-on-Black Design
Credit: Arbor & Co.
Black painted brick paired with black glass-front fireplaces and slate floors creates incredible depth and modern sophistication.
Skip traditional mantels and use floating shelves instead for styling opportunities. This approach lets you display candles and plants while maintaining clean, contemporary lines.
21. Corner Outdoor Fireplace
Credit: Fantastic Frank
White paint on outdoor brick fireplaces built into deck corners creates beautiful architectural interest in exterior spaces.
The bright finish echoes window and door trim while contrasting nicely with black siding and roofing materials. This approach unifies your outdoor living area’s overall design scheme.
22. Sleek Double-Sided Farmhouse Style
Credit: Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Sarah Elliott
White paint on double-sided brick fireplaces adds gorgeous texture that complements shiplap walls throughout modern farmhouse interiors.
The bright finish creates beautiful contrast with warm wood ceilings and flooring materials. This combination feels both contemporary and timeless in open-concept living spaces.
23. German Schmear Technique
Credit: Design by Kate Marker Interiors / Photo by Stoffer Photography
German Schmear involves smearing mortar over brick, then wiping it off before drying to achieve an authentic lived-in appearance.
You can hire professionals or tackle this technique yourself for dramatic results. The textured finish adds incredible character and European charm to traditional fireplace designs.
24. Outdoor Kitchen Fireplace
Credit: Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co. / Photo by Vanessa Lentine
White paint on outdoor kitchen fireplaces pairs beautifully with modern black herringbone tile inside the firebox for stunning contrast.
This combination works especially well with rustic red brick patio flooring materials. The mixed textures create visual interest while maintaining cohesion throughout your outdoor entertaining space.
25. Rustic Unpainted Firebox
Credit: Design by Kate Marker Interiors / Photo by Stoffer Photography
Paint your brick fireplace and surrounding walls brilliant white, but leave the interior firebox unpainted for authentic rustic character.
The soot-covered, time-worn patina inside adds incredible charm and history to your space. Pair with chunky natural wood mantels for the perfect farmhouse aesthetic.
26. Textured Matte White Wall
Credit: Ashley Montgomery Design
Flat white paint on floor-to-ceiling brick fireplaces highlights beautiful texture while adding handmade quality to contemporary spaces.
This finish works gorgeously with sleek modern furniture and metallic gold accent pieces. The matte surface creates depth and visual interest without competing with your decor.
27. Partial Whitewash Pattern
Credit: Design by Jessica Nelson Design / Photo by Carina Skrobecki Photography
Partially whitewash your brick fireplace, leaving some original rusty-colored bricks completely untouched for dynamic visual contrast.
This technique creates more movement and interest than uniform coloring throughout your space. The varied finish perfectly suits modern farmhouse vibes and casual living areas.
28. Charcoal Black Hearth Ledge
Credit: Design by Bria Hammel Interiors / Photo by Spacecrafting
Matte charcoal black paint on brick fireplaces and hearth ledges creates stunning contrast against bright white walls and built-ins.
The dark color anchors your back wall while grounding the entire space beautifully. This dramatic approach works especially well in rooms with high ceilings and abundant natural light.
29. Mixed Material Highlight
Credit: Sara Toufali
Paint surrounding brick walls soft white to highlight the beautiful mixed materials and freeform shapes of stone-and-brick combination fireplaces.
Leave the actual fireplace and firebox unpainted so these rustic elements can take center stage. This approach creates perfect balance between modern and traditional design elements.
30. Simple Uniform Makeover
Credit: Home Made By Carmona
Transform dated gray brick fireplaces with uniform white paint that matches your surrounding walls for seamless integration.
Paint the firebox saturated black for dramatic contrast and definition throughout your space. This straightforward approach delivers maximum impact with minimal effort and expense.
31. Bright White with Corbels
Credit: A Beautiful Mess
Bright white paint paired with matching painted wood mantels featuring corbel details creates timeless traditional charm in any room.
Paint the firebox black to echo dark hardwood flooring and ceiling beam finishes throughout your space. This classic combination never goes out of style.
32. Bedroom Whitewash Treatment
Credit: Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer
Whitewashed bedroom fireplace walls create the most beautiful soft, lived-in feeling that’s perfect for relaxation and rest.
Add dark wood-stained mantels that echo antique furniture finishes for incredible cohesion. This timeless approach works beautifully with four-poster beds and traditional bedroom decor.
33. Outdoor Pizza Oven Style
Credit: Home Consultant
Warm medium gray paint on outdoor brick wood-fired pizza ovens creates modern appeal in enclosed backyard entertaining spaces.
This color choice feels contemporary while maintaining the rustic charm that makes outdoor cooking areas so inviting. The finish works beautifully in Southern California climates and similar regions.
34. Chalk White Integration
Credit: Tina Ramchandani Creative
Chalk white paint helps dominant fireplace features feel more integrated and balanced within your overall room design scheme.
Style your painted fireplace with black-and-white framed photographs and carefully chosen decor objects for personality. This approach creates cohesion while letting your personal style shine through beautifully.
Final Thoughts
Painting your brick fireplace is one of the most impactful home improvements you can make on a budget.
Whether you choose classic white, dramatic black, or something bold and colorful, the transformation will amaze you.
Don’t be afraid to experiment – paint is forgiving, and you can always change colors if your first attempt doesn’t feel quite right.
