The Best Paint Colors to Modernize Your Brick Fireplace

If you have a brick fireplace, you know it can be the focal point of any room. But over time, brick can start to feel a little dated and uninspired. The good news is a fresh coat of paint can completely transform the look of your brick fireplace and modernize it for a contemporary style. Choosing the right paint colors for your brick fireplace involves assessing the existing brick carefully, selecting colors that complement the brick tones, and proper preparation of the brick before painting. With some color ideas and the right techniques, you can easily update your brick fireplace with paint for a stylish, revamped look.

Take Note of Your Brick Fireplace's Undertones

Before picking any paint colors, examine the existing brick and determine if it has warm, reddish-orange undertones or cooler grayish undertones. Warm brick with more orange and red visible will need paint colors that contrast with those tones. Brick that appears more neutral and gray will need softer, coordinating paint colors. Also look at the overall lightness or darkness of your brick. Darker brick can handle bold, vivid paint colors. With lighter brick, softer muted colors may be more complementary.

Consider the Surrounding Room Decor

The paint you choose for your brick fireplace doesn't exist in isolation. You'll want to select paint colors that coordinate well with the overall decor of the room. Look at the color scheme and style of the furniture, area rugs, wall paint or wallpaper, curtains, and any other accents in the space. A vibrant navy blue might pop beautifully against a neutral beige living room, while clashing terribly with forest green velvet sofa cushions. The paint colors for your fireplace should blend in seamlessly with the room's overall aesthetic.

Factor in the Lighting of the Space

The way a room is lit can really impact how your brick fireplace appears throughout the day. Bright daylight often emphasises the warm orange/red undertones of brick. Softer lamp lighting at night may make the brick take on a grayish cast. As you select paint colors, imagine how the brick and paint will look under your space's lighting at different times of day.

Choose Paint Colors That Complement Brick

When it comes to choosing paint for a brick fireplace surround, you'll generally want to go with colors that complement the brickwork, rather than matching it exactly. Here are some guidelines for selecting paint colors that work well with different brick fireplace styles.

Contrasting and Cooler Colors

For brick with warm, orangey undertones, cool-toned paint colors like navy blue, soft grayish blue, and muted grayish-greens will provide striking contrast. These deeper, darker paint colors also diminish the strong red and orange overtones of the brick. The cool tones recede visually, making warm brick pop.

Softening, Blending Colors

If your goal is a more seamless, blended look, soft beiges, taupes, and lighter brownish-gray colors are great choices with brick. These colors still provide enough contrast without strong demarcation between the brick and painted areas. Softer paint choices emphasize the brick's natural earthy warmth.

Avoid Matching Brick Tones

Very warm paint colors in the yellow, orange and red color families will often clash unattractively with brick's existing reddish tones. On the opposite end, very pale paint colors like white and buttery yellow generally don't provide enough contrast against the brick. For best results, look for paint colors in cooler, deeper shades.

Modern Color Combination Suggestions

If you need some inspiration for paint colors that work beautifully on brick, here are a few stylish, modern color combinations to consider:

Navy Blue Accent Wall

Painting just one brick wall in a bold navy blue adds tons of drama and contrast against the other warm brick walls. The navy instantly modernizes the space and adds a bold, saturated pop of color.

Neutral Gray Fireplace Surround

Painting the area directly around the firebox in a light to mid-tone neutral gray softens the brick's orangey-red overtones. It also creates a neutral canvas that allows you to layer in other accent colors without clashing.

Earthy Tan Brick with Teal Accents

Warm tan or light brownish-gray paint blends seamlessly into earthy, neutral brick. Pops of vivid teal or aqua in the decor play up the brick's natural tones. The teal accents and neutral brick create a relaxing, organic look.

Prep Brick Surfaces Properly for Painting

While brick doesn't require as much intensive prep as other surfaces, you'll still need to take a few steps to ensure proper paint adhesion:

Lightly Sand and Scrape

Use light sandpaper or a scraping tool to smooth down any rough spots in the brick or areas of old paint buildup. This allows for a smoother finished surface.

Clean and Remove Dust

Wipe down the brick with water and a mild detergent to remove any dirt, grease or grime that could interfere with paint bonding. Always allow the surface to fully dry before painting. Remove any dust and debris as well.

Consider Priming First

Usually, priming is not required when simply doing a light paint wash over existing brick. However, for a full opaque painting that completely covers the brick, apply a high-quality 100% acrylic primer first. This improves paint adhesion and provides a unified painting surface.

Application Tips for Painting Brick

Follow these tips when applying your chosen paint colors onto your brick fireplace:

Use Quality Paints and Primers

Look for interior paint and primer that are 100% acrylic-based. Acrylic offers maximum adhesion power and durability over the rough, porous surface of brick. Avoid cheaper vinyl and latex paints.

Select the Right Paint Finish

For high-traffic areas like fireplace surrounds, choose paint with an eggshell, satin or semi-gloss finish. These offer good washability and resistance to scuffs and stains. Matte and flat finishes are difficult to clean.

Allow Plenty of Drying Time

Brick needs more drying time than drywall between coats. Wait at least 24 hours before adding another coat of paint over brick. Rushing the process can ruin the paint job.

Work Slowly and Check Coverage

Applying paint to textured brick surfaces takes finesse. Work methodically and carefully to ensure you achieve full, even coverage. Opaque painting may require several coats to get a flawless look.

Keep these last pointers in mind for a successful, long-lasting paint finish on your brick fireplace:

• Consider the age and style of your home when choosing colors, and select paint tones that are complementary.
• Test potential paint colors first on small hidden parts of the brick before fully committing.
• Choose a paint color that coordinates well with the grout color between your bricks.
• Consult a professional interior designer or painter if you need guidance selecting paint colors.
• Don't be afraid to make a bold color statement with your fireplace paint if it fits your style.
• Use heat-resistant paint if you use your fireplace frequently.
• Add a clear sealer over painted brick if desired for added protection.

You can easily change the look of your fireplace with the right prep work and paint. The wrong colors can make your fireplace feel awkward and outdated. But the right paint colors have the power to completely revamp your brick fireplace for a modern, eye-catching look you'll love. Be bold with your color choices and think about how the painted fireplace will coordinate with the full space. In no time, you can have a stylishly updated focal point you can't wait to gather around.