16+ Stunning Painted Brick Fireplace Transforms That Wow

By ClaraWestern Living EditorHome & Rooms·Updated Sep 10, 2026·16 ideas·8 min read·Editorial standards

Fall makes everyone suddenly obsessed with their fireplace, am I right? Then the leaves drop and reality hits: that brick has looked the same since the house was built.

The biggest mistake people make is assuming a fireplace update means a full renovation. It usually doesn’t!

A can of paint and a weekend often does the whole job.

So I scrolled through hundreds of pins to put this list together. I kept only the ones that looked doable in a real home, not a magazine shoot.

Some of these are actual painted brick projects. Others are clever swaps for anyone renting or just testing the look before committing, lol!

You’ll find classic colors, whitewash techniques, cozy mantels and a couple of budget tricks too. There’s even a modern option if brick isn’t your thing at all.

Grab a coffee and scroll through slowly. Under each idea I’ve added the details you actually want to know, plus a link to the full tutorial.

PAINTED BRICK FIREPLACE IDEAS

White Painted Brick Fireplace

We’re starting off strong with the classic white these. This is the one people picture the second you mention a these at all.

White opens up a dark living room fast. It also makes the mantel decor pop instead of getting lost against dark brick.

The one everyone copies first
Two coats gets full coverage
Works with almost any decor style

Black Painted Brick Fireplace

Black is the dramatic cousin of the white version. It swallows soot stains and old smoke marks better than any color, honestly.

A matte black finish looks moody in a good way. Add brass candlesticks on the mantel and the whole look feels intentional instead of dark and sad.

Bold and a little dangerous
Matte finish hides smoke marks
Pairs well with brass accents

Whitewashed Brick Fireplace Look

Whitewashing keeps a hint of the brick texture peeking through. It’s the technique for anyone who loves the idea of paint but doesn’t want to lose the character underneath.

You water down the paint and brush it on unevenly on purpose. Some spots stay darker and that’s exactly the point.

Half paint, half brick, all charm
Water it down for a thinner coat
No two bricks look the same after

Gray Painted Brick Fireplace

Gray sits nicely between white and black without picking a side. It reads as calm and a little modern, even in an older house.

This one hides fingerprints and dust better than white does. Practical and pretty, which honestly doesn’t happen often, haha!

The no drama neutral
Hides dust better than white
Reads modern in an older room

German Smear Brick Fireplace

German smear looks fancy but it’s honestly one of the easiest techniques on this whole list. Mortar gets smeared on with a trowel and wiped back for texture.

Every wall turns out a little different, which is half the charm.

Old European charm, weekend timeline
Mortar mix from the hardware store
Every wipe leaves a different pattern

Painted Brick Fireplace With Mantel

Adding a mantel changes the whole personality of a painted fireplace. Suddenly there’s a shelf for photos, candles and that one weird vase nobody uses anywhere else.

Wood mantels look especially good against painted brick. The contrast between rough paint and smooth wood grain does a lot of visual heavy lifting.

The shelf that changes everything
Reclaimed wood adds instant warmth
Floating brackets keep the look clean

Two Tone Painted Brick Fireplace

Two tone means painting the top half a different shade than the bottom. It sounds fussy but it actually looks incredibly custom once it’s done.

Try a lighter color up top with something deeper below the mantel line. It draws the eye exactly where you want it to go.

Custom looking with two cans of paint
Mantel line is the natural break point
Painter’s tape keeps the line sharp

Painted Brick Fireplace Before After

Before and after photos are basically the whole reason this trend exploded online. Watching dated orange brick turn into something you’d see in a design magazine never gets old.

The transformation usually only costs a couple gallons of paint. It’s wild how much difference one weekend makes.

Farmhouse Fireplace Makeover Idea

This fireplace makeover leans hard into shiplap, baskets and warm wood tones. It’s the look for anyone who wants cozy without going full rustic cabin.

A wood beam mantel and a coat of creamy paint do most of the work here. Stack a few logs beside it for the finishing touch.

Cozy without going full cabin
Cream tones stay warm year round
A beam mantel finishes the look

Budget Friendly Fireplace Makeover

You don’t need a huge budget for a fireplace to look brand new. Paint is cheap. Elbow grease is free.

This budget version uses leftover paint, a thrifted mirror and a couple of candles. Under fifty dollars total, which honestly feels like cheating.

Under fifty dollars, no joke
Leftover paint from another room works fine
Thrifted mirror adds instant style

Shiplap Fireplace Makeover Reveal

Shiplap reveals are satisfying in a way that’s hard to explain. The transformation from plain brick to textured wood paneling feels like a whole new room.

This one takes a weekend and a nail tool. The payoff is a fireplace wall that looks custom built instead of slapped on.

The reveal everyone gasps at
A nail tool speeds this up a lot
Thin plywood strips keep cost down

DIY Cardboard Fireplace Prop

Not every home has an actual fireplace. That’s exactly where this cardboard version comes in. It’s a prop, but a surprisingly convincing one once it’s painted.

Cut the box into a mantel shape and add texture with crumpled paper before painting. It photographs way better than it sounds, lol!

Not real but nobody can tell
Cardboard boxes from the recycling bin
Crumpled paper adds real brick texture

Cardboard Fireplace For Christmas

This is the go-to trick for apartments during the holidays. A cardboard fireplace prop gives you somewhere to hang stockings without any renovation at all.

Paint it brick red, add a black opening and it fools guests from across the room.

Stockings need somewhere to hang
Fools guests from across the room

Faux Cardboard Fireplace Tutorial

This tutorial goes a step further with actual dimension. Layered cardboard pieces create a raised hearth and a faux mantel shelf that holds real decorations.

It folds flat for storage after the holidays, which is honestly the best part.

Folds flat when the season ends
Layered pieces create real dimension
Storage friendly once it’s folded down

Stone Outdoor Fireplace Patio

An outdoor fireplace turns a plain patio into the place everyone wants to be after dark. Stone construction feels permanent and handles weather without a fuss.

This one anchors an outdoor sitting area the same way a painted fireplace anchors a living room. Add a couple of chairs and it’s basically a second living room outside.