how to update a brick fireplace
Embrace exposed brick
An exposed brick fireplace and wall combo can bring on the cozy. Furniture and decorative accessories in neutral colors look stunning next to unpainted brick.
Paint the brick
Tone down a large brick fireplace with a light color. Painting the brick fireplace white seals the deal on the living room's calming tone. Now a bright and beautiful focal point!
OR…
Give a traditional fireplace a fresh twist with dark paint. If your living room gets lots of natural light, consider painting your fireplace a dramatic dark color.
Color combination
Some combinations are perfection, like peanut butter and jelly. To play up the architectural importance of the feature, paint it to match the trim in the room. If that draws too much attention to the element, color the brick a shade or two darker or lighter than the walls and paint the mantel to match the trim. The greater the contrast between the color of your brick and the color of adjacent walls, the more attention you'll draw to the brick.
Refresh with a new mantle
You don't have to paint your existing brickwork to brighten things up. A white, full-surround mantel updates an old brick fireplace.
H&H Favorite Paints for Brick
