Asked on Oct 28, 2017

Wondering best way to lighten up a dark 1980's rock fireplace?

Crystal
by Crystal

Here's a sample of the fireplace I want paint a lighter color.

The texture is ok, just trying to lighten up the room. Any suggestions?

  11 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 28, 2017

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx9NYTn3P-w

  • 2dogal 2dogal on Oct 28, 2017

    Have you sand blasted it first tried to clean the stone at all? Maybe that's all it needs.

  • 9530106 9530106 on Oct 28, 2017

    Scrub with some hot sudsy ammonia water and a brush. Why paint the beauty nature has given us! I would love to see a beautiful, natural stone fireplace, so much character!

  • Beans Beans on Oct 28, 2017

    I have a similar one. The rocks were pink and grey and chipped and the aggregate was showing. I gathered a bunch of acrylic craft paints in different natural colors . I used a sponge and started dabbing. It now looks like natural rock and I have actually received compliments on it. A cheap fix.



  • DORLIS DORLIS on Oct 28, 2017

    leave the fireplace and lighten the room by painting walls, adding light fabrics. My fireplace is 8 feet wide by 3 feet deep so would be difficult to paint. My main problem is spiders who love to make webs from rock to rock.

  • B. Enne B. Enne on Oct 28, 2017

    white wash with watered down paint

  • D'Ann Foster D'Ann Foster on Oct 28, 2017

    I put a finish on a floor I have that's similar. It's meant for brick & it's glossy so it reflects light.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Oct 29, 2017

    We love our 1970s rock fireplace and have found the need to brighten cedar log wood paneled room with additional lighting to include lamps sconces or battery candles. Fabric options like throws pillows and curtains could help too.

  • Barb Barb on Oct 29, 2017

    I personally would paint the fireplace wall in a sofa yellow tone to bring out the bricks color. Then add a mirror over the fireplace to reflect light, add throw pillows in a print and solid yellows and drape a throw over a chair.

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  • Michele Pappagallo Michele Pappagallo on Nov 02, 2017

    We had this same type of rock...and it was terribly dark. I mixed plain white paint with water to make a thin solution, then brushed it all over the rocks...and the grout between as well. After a minute or two, I lightly wiped it with a soft cloth to remove part of the paint and give it a whitewashed look. It still looks nice and natural, but much, much lighter.

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    • Michele Pappagallo Michele Pappagallo on Feb 26, 2018

      I used regular latex house paint in a satin finish. I thinned it about half with water....so it was very runny, similar to milk. Then, just brush it on with a brush and wipe it off with a dry cloth to get the look you like. You can leave more pant on for a more painted look, or wipe off more like I did for a more white-washed look. Good luck with your project!