How should I update my 1974 brick fireplace?

Paint it.

Painting is an easy way

My 1st thought was paint it all white , I would remove the screen and paint it white inside also then put candles, greenery whatever would work with your decor. You could also do a contrast color inside. With the tile on the floor you could do blue possibly. I hope that helps some

I cleaned mine first because I thought it would make it better and when it didn't I painted mine black and now it is the show piece of the family room.

Clean it and cherish it for the 44 year old antique that it is. (Actually, it doesn't look in need of cleaning at all, but I wonder what it would look like with a little sand-blasting to uncover a fresh brick look.)

For my tastes, I would change out the tile in front if it. The beams and the candlesticks suggest you like a traditional look. A large braided rug somewhere in the room might add that feeling. For my allergies, I would (pay someone to) rip out the carpet and hope there's something better than plywood under there. No matter what, I'd love to see a wood floor in there.

Take photos, please, as you work on it and share your final remodel with us. We love to see others' creations.

This looks exactly like my fireplace. I 'd love to lighten it up, but hubby wants to leave it as it is. Maybe I 'll just lighten my walls to a country white. We still use it if it gets cold enough. So, you're not alone.

Hi Abby, here's a few beautiful ideas that might inspire you https://www.thespruce.com/brick-fireplaces-4153974

Choose a solid masonry stain instead of paint. Paint will eventually flake or chip off, but stain penetrates the brick and will last. If you ever decide to change the color, you can paint over the stain and the stain will act as a primer and the paint will last much longer. Here is a link to the fireplace (similar to yours) that we overhauled. Maybe it will give you some ideas.

Whitewash! Easy, quick and cheap.

I did our massive brick wall a couple years ago and WOW.

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/masive-brick-fireplace-wall-whitewash-success-38628421

Hello again,

Just use a weak solution of Emulsion paint (add water) and only paint a few bricks to give it the look of effervescence, if you are not sure. If you like it great, if you don't keep washing the bricks and the colour will sink in and fade!

I would just white wash it or frame and build panneling