Painting a Brick Fireplace

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Folks with brick fireplaces often complain about how ugly they find the brick. Especially when they are redecorating and bringing new, light colors into the room, the dark and drab brick surface can be a major obstacle. In the Los Angeles home featured in this episode of Trading Spaces, Laurie wasted no time in declaring that the fireplace needed to be lightened with a coat of paint. This particular fireplace did not look like it had been used in quite some time, but whether or not you actually use your own, you might find that painting the brick surround can really add some light to the room. If the fireplace is purely decorative, or has been put out of commission, you might want to paint the inner firebox as well as the surround. If the fireplace is still functional, however, keep the paint job to the surfaces outside of the firebox.

Shopping List
Sandpaper
Masonry primer or conditioner
Latex paint
Paintbrush
Paint tray, roller and roller cover

Pick the Color

Regular viewers of Trading Spaces know that Laurie likes to select fabrics for a room, and then choose paint colors to complement the fabric. Such was the case in this episode. She used a cream color from her fabric as inspiration for one of the paint colors in the room, including for use on the fireplace. This design decision ensured that the finished fireplace would feel very much a part of the room. In this case, the fireplace was a different color than the surrounding wall. If you wanted to de-emphasize the fireplace, however, one way to do so would be to paint it the same color as the surrounding surfaces.

Pick the Color (cont'd)

The fireplace surround in this house was fairly typical. It has an elevated brick hearth and modest-sized brick mantel with a small shelf. Laurie chose to paint all of the brick, as well as the shelf, the same color.

Prepare the Brick

Go over the entire surface with some sandpaper to scruff it up a little and remove any loose bits of mortar. If the brick was painted before, scrap off any loose paint. Scrub the surface with soap and water and a stiff brush, and then rinse the soap as best as you can. Let the surface dry thoroughly, and then finish cleaning with a good vacuuming.

Prime the Surface

Paint manufacturers offer primers and paints for just about every surface imaginable. Some manufacturers make sealers or conditioners that they recommend for an initial coat over bare brick. It is always best to talk with a knowledgeable paint dealer for advice on the best products to use for your specific need. At the very least, look for an interior latex primer that is suitable for use on brick and other masonry surfaces. Latex is able to move and breathe without cracking, making it ideal for a porous material like brick. In most cases, a single coat of primer should be sufficient. If you have a large surface to cover, you can use a roller to speed up the job. A roller pad with a fairly thick nap (3/4 in. or 1 in.) will work best. But for most fireplaces, a large paintbrush will do the job almost as quickly. Allow the primecoat to dry.

Add the Paint

Use a good quality acrylic latex paint for your topcoat. Plan to apply at least two coats, and even more if the fireplace is used frequently.

When the paint has dried, you may want to follow Laurie's lead and add some cut flowers and a mirror or framed painting to the shelf and some decorative items around the hearth. But wait a few weeks before doing so, as latex paint needs plenty of time to fully cure.

A Weathered Alternative

If you would like to create a rustic, weathered look on your brick fireplace rather than a solid color, here's how to do so. Begin by preparing the brick as described above. Then mix one part of water with two parts of semi-gloss latex paint. Spread a thin coat of the paint on the brick using a paint roller, and then immediately wipe off some of the paint with a sponge or clean rag. Rinse the sponge or rag in clean water before each use. Allow the surface to dry. If the color is too light, repeat the process one more time.