8 Ideas for Painting a Fireplace
Updated: Jan. 28, 2024
Give your fireplace a bold, affordable update with these paint color ideas.
Should You Paint Your Fireplace?
Updating a fireplace can be costly. But you know what isn’t? A gallon or two of paint!
Interior designer and DIY expert Melanie Raver says the power of paint is infinite, even with fireplaces. Here are her top tips if you’re ready to take on this project.
Don’t be scared
“If you are saying. ‘I can’t paint over that!’ I’m here to say, yes you can, and you will love it!” says Raver. “Painting an old outdated fireplace material like stone, brick, wood or drywall can have a huge impact. Don’t be afraid to paint. If you don’t like the color, you can always repaint it.”
Color drip
Also known as color melting, color drip is a current trend where the entire room is covered in one color, including the fireplace.
“The fireplace, which used to be the stand-out star in a color all its own, is finally stepping back and being a team player,” Raver says. “Instead of standing out, fireplaces are blending into their surroundings. This does not mean they are not gorgeous or colorful, but they are dripping into the adjacent walls or built-ins.”
Coordinate with wallpaper
One of Raver’s favorite design techniques is painting a fireplace to match nearby wallpaper.
“Paint an old brick, stone or wood fireplace a stand-out color like mustard or violet,” she says. “Then add a fun coordinating wallpaper, with a bold pattern in the same color, on either side of the fireplace for a regal, chic look!”
Moody Teal
Craving some color and warmth in her living room, @paintedfarmhouse painted her fireplace this beautiful moody blue color (Arabian Night by Sherwin-Williams).
Notice the paint extends to the crown molding on the wall. This technique makes a bigger impact and draws the eye up, creating the illusion of a taller fireplace.
Faux Marble
A solid marble fireplace will cost you a pretty penny. Hand-painted faux marble, seen here from professional painter @heatherjozakstudios, is a more budget-friendly alternative. And the results are surprisingly realistic!
She started with a white fireplace, then used multiple layers of acrylic paints and glazes to mimic real marble patterns.
Classic Black
When deciding on a new color for your fireplace, classic black is rarely a bad choice. This black fireplace by @thefinishedproject offers a bold yet timeless look that grounds the space. Use light-toned accessories and fresh greenery to add balance to the dark color.
When painting brick, remember to clean it thoroughly with a wire brush first.
White Stone
Dated stone on your fireplace can bring down the look of the whole room. Instead of replacing the stone entirely, paint it, like in this example from @furniture_at_tiffanys.
The crisp white color gives the fireplace a fresh new look while preserving the pretty texture and dimension. For best results on rough or porous stone, be sure to use a primer first.
@allthingsnewhome The best paint decision I ever made! I recall spotting a stack of books on the fireplace, and one of them was a lovely shade of green that immediately captivated me. I thought, 'I need to paint the fireplace that color.' We were in the midst of redoing our laundry room at the time, but I decided to take the plunge because that's usually how the best ideas come to life. Creativity breeds creativity' #fireplace #mantle #hometakestime #homeinspo #neutralstyle #farmhousestyle #simplicity #interiordesign #interiordecor#stylegram #homedecor #decor #homedesign #homeinspo #neutralstyle #farmhousestyle #gtv #interiordesign #interiordecor#stylegram #bhghome#bhgstylemaker #myneutralabode #diyhome #diyhousetohome #fixerupper#interiordesign ♬ original sound – user7836226700368
Olive Green
If you’re ready to go a little bolder with your color choice, consider a dark olive green. Watch as @allthingsnewhome transforms her fireplace with this rich, earthy color.
Green is a great choice because it makes a big statement while still reading as neutral, because it’s a color found in nature. Pair it with a black fire box for a sleek, tailored look.
@home_by_two The brown marble fireplace surround wasn’t my style. So I changed it! Total cost for this was about $60. I used a tile herringbone stencil from @royalstencils which cost about $40 and a $20 quart of paint. The rest of the paint I already owned. This completely transformed the whole space! #fireplacemakeover #budgetmakeover #diyproject #fireplace #powerofpaint ♬ Come Check This – FETISH
Stencil Tile
This one is a game changer. Follow along as @home_by_two gives her fireplace a new look with a stencil!
She paints the fire box surround and the mantel, then takes it a step further. Using a stencil and a brush, she paints on a subway tile design. The finished project looks like new tile. No one would guess it’s only paint!
Editor’s Tip: Even if you don’t consider yourself artistic, we’ll show you how to use stencils to create unique works of art using only a paintbrush and a tape measure. With these simple DIY wall stencil patterns you’ll be able to create everything from a simple stenciled border to more complex patterns that will add a dramatic flourish to any room in your house.
@emm_interiors I used color 104 & 103 from @JH Wall Paints #limewashpaint #limewash #fauxfireplace#diyfireplace #nordicstyle #howto#beforeandafter ♬ Say So (Instrumental Version) [Originally Performed by Doja Cat] – Elliot Van Coup
Lime Wash
Use lime wash paint to create matte texture and dimension on your fireplace, as seen here in this video from @emm_interiors.
Lime wash is chalky, textured paint made from a mixture of lime powder, natural pigments and water. Apply it with a wide brush in random strokes to achieve the suede-like texture.
@greymattercollection Not feeling your old brick? A little paint can make an impact. #fireplacemakeover #paintedbrick #beforeandafterrenovation #homedecordiy #timelapsevideo ♬ Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (ma-ma-say, ma-ma-sah, ma-ma-coo-sah) (Single Version) – Michael Jackson
Varied-Tone Brick
Instead of painting her brick fireplace one solid color, @greymattercollection used varied tones of white and gray to make it look like entirely new brick.
She used a white wash paint for the first coat, including the grout. Then she painted randomly selected bricks in darker, medium and light gray tones by mixing two shades.
About the Expert
- Melanie Raver is an interior designer, content creator and DIY expert. She specializes in bold color, pattern mixing and wallpaper.
Originally Published: December 19, 2023
