If you’ve ever stared at your outdated fireplace and wondered if it was “allowed” to paint brick—this one’s for you. A painted brick fireplace can totally transform your living room, and yes, it can be done (even though the internet might try to scare you out of it). This is a quick weekend project that will totally transform your living space.
Table of Contents
- Before and After: Painted Brick Fireplace Transformation
- How to Prep a Brick Fireplace Before Painting
- How to Paint a Brick Fireplace with a Sprayer
- DIY Wood Mantel for a Painted Brick Fireplace
- Modern Painted Brick Fireplace Reveal
- Cozy Christmas Decor on a Painted Brick Fireplace
- Built-In Desk Next to Our Painted Brick Fireplace
- 📌 Save This Project for Later
- FAQ: How to Paint a Brick Fireplace
Tools and Materials for Painting a Brick Fireplace
- Paint sprayer
- Painter’s tape
- Plastic masking film
- Paint for masonry or brick
- Angled brush
- Ladder or step stool
Before and After: Painted Brick Fireplace Transformation
I hated the look of this ugly, dated brick, and while it was functional, it just didn’t match the rest of our home’s more modern, clean style. I finally decided it was time for a change, and out came the paint sprayer. The bulky wood mantel also needed to be addressed. It felt way too big for the scale of the brick, and the rustic vibe was throwing off the whole room.
How to Prep a Brick Fireplace Before Painting
So first up: I removed the old mantel. And surprise! Underneath was a second, even older mantel hiding behind it. The smaller one could stay; it will be perfect for attaching a new, more modern-looking mantel to.
Next, I got to work protecting the area. Using pre-taped plastic (love this stuff!) I masked off the fireplace insert, walls, flooring – basically anything I didn’t want paint getting on. You’ll also want to give your brick fireplace a proper cleaning before painting. Paint doesn’t stick to dirt and dust.
How to Paint a Brick Fireplace with a Sprayer
To update the brick fireplace, I used a paint sprayer and worked in long, even sweeping motions. The key is to stay consistent and keep your hand moving to avoid drips or buildup. You don’t want to linger in one spot too long.
Even with the sprayer, some of those deeper brick grooves were hard to get to. Once the main spraying was done, I came back with a paintbrush to do touch-ups in all the little nooks the sprayer couldn’t quite hit.
Like watching videos of DIY projects? Here’s a quick one showing this brick fireplace transformation.
DIY Wood Mantel for a Painted Brick Fireplace
After the paint dried, I moved on to the mantel. I wanted something cleaner and more modern to balance the fresh white brick. I used my table saw to cut a beveled edge on each board, then assembled the mantel using wood glue and my brad nailer.
Once everything was together, I filled the seams to give it the look of a solid wood beam. After staining, it was ready to install – this part couldn’t have been easier. I just set the new mantel right on top of the old, white one and used my brad nailer to secure it.
Want the full step-by-step instructions on how to build a mantel? Check out my full step-by-step mantel tutorial here.
Modern Painted Brick Fireplace Reveal
What a difference, right? The painted brick fireplace now actually flows with the rest of the house. It feels brighter, more intentional, and just so much more “us.”
Cozy Christmas Decor on a Painted Brick Fireplace
And can we talk about how magical this fireplace looked at Christmas? Our family cuddled up in matching jammies, pine garland hanging from the mantel, fire glowing – it was one of those moments I’ll never forget. This fireplace update wasn’t just cosmetic; it made the space feel special.
Built-In Desk Next to Our Painted Brick Fireplace
After we wrapped up painting the brick fireplace, we kept the momentum going and added a built-in desk and cabinet system along the blank wall to the right.
It tied everything together and turned that awkward space into a functional home office zone. You can read the full tutorial on that build here: How to DIY Built-In Office Cabinets
I just love what a fireplace does to a room – it’s cozy, classic, and instantly makes a space feel more inviting. In our Omaha home, I completely redid the living room fireplace and built-in shelving. And in that same house, I even added a brand new fireplace to the dining room by creating a floor-to-ceiling stone hearth from scratch. If there’s a way to work a fireplace into a room, I’ll find it.
Living Room Fireplace >>> Updating an Ugly Rock Fireplace
Dining Room Fireplace >>> Building a Fireplace That Looks Custom but Was Totally DIY
📌 Save This Project for Later
FAQ: How to Paint a Brick Fireplace
Yes! As long as the brick is clean and dry, you can absolutely paint it. Use paint designed for masonry or brick for best results.
Use high-quality paint specifically made for masonry or brick surfaces. You can use a matte, satin, or eggshell finish depending on the look you want.
Not always—but if the brick is especially porous or stained, a masonry primer can help the paint adhere better and last longer.
Yes! Just make sure the fireplace is off and cool, and don’t paint the insert itself—only the surrounding brick or mantel.
