How to Paint a Brick Fireplace for a Stunning Interior

Make your fireplace blaze anew with a fresh coat of paint

White painted brick fireplace in modern living room
Photo: sihuo0860371 / E+ / Getty Images
White painted brick fireplace in modern living room
Photo: sihuo0860371 / E+ / Getty Images
Allie Ogletree
Written by Allie Ogletree
Contributing Writer
Updated November 23, 2022

Difficulty

Simple

Flex your DIY muscles.

Time to complete

28 hours

3-5 hours to paint and one day to dry.

Cost

$100–$200

Make room—this DIY requires a lot of supplies!

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What you'll need:

TOOLS
  • Microfiber towel or duster
  • Vacuum or wet-dry vacuum
  • Sponge
  • Paint stick
  • Angled paintbrush
  • Flat paintbrush or small paint roller
SUPPLIES
  • Dishwashing detergent or vinegar
  • Primer
  • Paint
  • Drop cloth
  • Painter’s tape
  • Acrylic caulk (optional)
  • Cream of tartar (optional)
  • Trisodium Phosphate cleaner (optional)

A fireplace provides warmth and creates a comfortable gathering place in a room where memories are made. While red brick on a fireplace gives off a cozy look, it can pull in unwanted red tones. Fortunately, you can give your fireplace a makeover by painting over the brick to brighten up the space and personalize your interior design. Use this guide to learn how to paint a brick fireplace.

Best Paint for a Brick Fireplace

If you’re painting a fireplace that gets a lot of use, choose an interior, latex paint that can withstand high temperatures (up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit). If you don’t use the fireplace, simply pick any indoor, latex paint. Choosing an eggshell finish provides a warmer glow that hides imperfections yet looks natural when applied to the surface.

When choosing a color, consider your style preferences, the amount of use the room gets, and your current color scheme. 

White paint is a common color choice for brick fireplaces, but there are other shades that may work well too. If you want to learn how to paint a fireplace in order to brighten the space but don’t want to overwhelm the room with lightness, choose a creamy off-white or light gray. For a dramatic statement, opt for a dark gray, navy, or even black and contrast with the wall above the fireplace to create an accent wall.

How to Paint a Brick Fireplace

Painting brick white with paintbrush
Photo: Ilja Enger-Tsizikov / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

Follow these steps to easily paint over brick and transform the look of your fireplace.

  1. Prep the Area

    An inspector examining a brick fireplace
    Photo: Stanislav Komogorov / Adobe Stock

    Start your project by prepping the area for paint. Examine the fireplace and check for cracks in the mortar (the sealant between the bricks) and the bricks. 

    • If you notice any cracks or gaps, use acrylic caulk to seal in the space and wait for it to fully cure before cleaning and painting.  

    • Lay down a drop cloth to protect your floors from debris and paint.

    • Apply painter’s tape to areas you want to keep free from paint, such as the walls surrounding the fireplace, edges of the mantel, and fireplace doors and inserts.

    • Dust the surrounding walls and mantel with a microfiber towel or duster.

  2. Clean the Brick

     A man cleaning a brick fireplace
    Photo: glebchik / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

    Before you apply any paint, thoroughly clean the surface of the brick. This step removes any soot, debris, and buildup, allowing the primer and paint to adhere better. When cleaning the brick, always start with a mild solution first and work your way up to stronger methods to avoid damage to the bricks. Opt for a sponge rather than a wire brush to avoid leaving behind small metal fragments that can damage the brick. 

    • Use your wet-dry vacuum to remove any loose dust, ash, and debris from the bricks and the surrounding area.

    • Fully saturate the bricks with warm water, allowing the cleaning solution to fully penetrate the surface.

    • Mix a solution of equal parts of dishwashing soap (or vinegar) and water in a bucket.

    • Apply the solution to the bricks in a circular motion with a sponge, working with a few bricks at a time to ensure they don’t dry out. 

    • Rinse the area with warm water and allow it to fully dry.

  3. Target Stubborn Stains (Optional)

    If you still have stubborn soot stains, spot clean the area or use a stronger cleaning solution.

    • Mix together a paste made with cream of tartar and water. The consistency should be somewhat watery so that it’s easy to apply. 

    • Apply the paste to the brick and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes to fully saturate the stain.

    • Rinse the area with water and scrub using the abrasive side of the sponge to remove the stain. 

    • Repeat on other stubborn areas.

    If you have brick that is still resistant to these methods, you may need to repeat these steps using a stronger type of cleaner. Opt for cleaners like trisodium phosphate or boric acid (making sure to adequately ventilate the room and use protective equipment like waterproof gloves). Never mix these cleaners together. Remember, strong cleaning solutions can damage older bricks, so only use them if it's completely necessary.

  4. Prime the Brick

    After the surface of the brick has been cleaned and is completely dry, apply a primer base coat. Primer is a specialty type of paint that creates a layer between the base and topcoat, promoting better adhesion. Because brick is a porous material, primer is a necessary step and you may even need two coats of primer to perfect the look of your project. 

    • With an angled paintbrush, begin by applying the primer to the mortar lines between the bricks, working in small areas at a time. 

    • Then, use a small paintbrush or small roller to apply an even coat of primer to the individual bricks.

    • Allow the primer to dry completely, then repeat these steps with the second coat of primer. 

    • Clean your paintbrushes and rollers thoroughly to reuse when applying your topcoat.

  5. Paint the Brick

    A professional painting a brick fireplace with a paintbrush
    Photo: Ivan Kmit / Adobe Stock

    Once the primer has completely dried, you are ready to apply your topcoat. 

    • Use an angled paintbrush to paint the mortar lines, painting around a few bricks at a time.

    • Dip a flat paintbrush or small roller into the paint and apply it to the face of the bricks.

    • Repeat until the entire fireplace is completely covered with the topcoat.

    • Wait for the paint to dry, then apply a second coat, repeating the same steps.

    Once the paint is completely dry, you can remove the painter’s tape and drop cloth, and enjoy your new fireplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best color to paint a brick fireplace comes down to personal taste. However, neutral colors—like white or gray—will open the space and create a bright modern look, making them popular options. However, choosing a bold color can turn your fireplace into a feature piece that will be the talk of all family gatherings. 

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
Learn more about our contributor
Allie Ogletree
Written by Allie Ogletree
Contributing Writer
Allie is an Austin-based content writer specializing in home improvement, renewable energy, and deregulated energy markets.
Allie is an Austin-based content writer specializing in home improvement, renewable energy, and deregulated energy markets.
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