Fireplace makeover
Hello! We have just recently painted the paneling in our family room. And we also painted the trim white. I love how it’s turned out! But then there’s the dreaded fireplace and brick. What should we do to update it quick, easy and cheap?? Any input is great. Thank you so much!
Related Discussions
Vinyl plank flooring vs pergo (laminate)
I currently have stinky dirty carpeting in my living room and I want to replace it with a durable flooring that can stand up to dogs and kids.
How to remove popcorn ceiling that has been painted?
Does having a paint over a popcorn ceiling change how I'd remove the popcorn ceiling?
How to apply peel and stick wallpaper?
I want to spruce up my walls with peel-and-stick wallpaper. Has anyone used this before and can advise me as to how to apply it properly?
How to stain wood floor?
I've heard staining is a good technique for updating floors. So how do I stain my wood floor?
Marble fireplace mantel . . .how to repurpose?
We replaced our old marble mantel & now I would like to repurpose it. The piece measures 8" x 1 1/4" x 6'. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
How can I update my 60’s pecky cypress fireplace and beams?
I had started a white wash a year ago but sanded off most of it when my family hated it.
you could white-wash the brick to give it a brighter look or paint it all one color. I am giving you some info on how to do both. Also there is the "smear" method.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtZTaj7e6_g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KHjri0Trik
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3P0yNS0czs
This site should inspire you - 32 ideas!
https://www.thespruce.com/brick-fireplaces-4153974
You can paint or whitewash it it also
https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=paint%20fireplace
Love how this one turned out! https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/whitewashing-and-updating-brick-fireplace-43416332
Whitewashing and Updating Brick Fireplace
I agree with everyone else! Whitewash it! If you don't like the translucency of the white wash then you can go to a solid paint job! You can also change the gold colored fireplace screen/trim to black!
I would do German smear on the brick: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/german-smear/
Hello. What an exciting project. Sometimes looking at visuals can help determine your next step. Here are some links that could be helpful.
Fireplaces can be painted or often retiled and I find looking around at the visuals on Pinterest or Houzz might offer some inspiration and ideas.
Heres some ideas that I saved
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/the-saga-of-the-truly-ugly-fireplace-33847745
https://www.hometalk.com/post/3373956/media?id=541608
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/charcoal-grey-painted-fireplace-6384857
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/updated-fireplace-39461004?
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/fireplace-whitewash-project-27546793?
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/fireplace-face-lift-just-87
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/17-fireplace-upgrades
https://www.bhg.com/decorating/fireplace/styles/before-and-after-fireplaces/
The Saga of the Truly Ugly Fireplace
Charcoal Grey Painted Fireplace
Updated Fireplace
Fireplace Whitewash Project
I really like the look of whit-washed brick and it's an easy, inexpensive option.
Hello Bernadette, oooh!! Fun and pretty easy, you can paint the fireplace brick the same or complimentary color to what you have already updated! Here is some instruction, I love grays for this type of project!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE0gO_7-qjg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRzWmamxoPY
Paint the gold on the fireplace black with heatproof spray paint made for metal
Thanks everyone! I will white wash it this weekend with pictures soon :)
Here's a video that might help - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3P0yNS0czs
Here is a $15 white wash DIY, the white brick will really brighten up the space: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtZTaj7e6_g
There is a product called "Brick Anew" https://www.brick-anew.com/ which offers many solutions to the fireplace. I personally do not like plain white washed. I would maybe do a gray and white fireplace. Good luck and send pictures when done. Love what you did to the paneling. I have been painting too, the trim is driving me nuts. I think I need to get some better paint, because one doorway took 4 coats to look good.
I think painting the brick a solid color would look great and spray painting the gold black or a different color.
Painting the entire brick area of the fireplace a white enamel would totally change the look. Also, you could paint the brass around the fireplace with a heat resistant flat black.
WHITEWASH, quick, easy and cheap. I finally took the leap on our monster wall a couple years ago and WOW. I posted it here on Hometalk
Sneak peek
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/masive-brick-fireplace-wall-whitewash-success-38628421
Massive Brick Fireplace Wall Whitewash/ White Wash Success
We painted the brick in my daughters house and it is so much better. Here is the post where you can see how it turned out. https://lifeonsummerhill.com/how-to-paint-fireplace-bricks/
I’d give it a good clean, move everything back in and live with it for a bit to see what changes, if any, would be most fitting for your style. You could start by refinishing the fireplace surround, the metal. Once you paint brick/stone, it’s incredibly difficult to go back.
Hello,
You could give it a dry brushed or watered down wash of the colours of the room eg: Paint the whole lot in light colour including the pointing, then use watered down darker colour on the bricks. Do this individually to get a slightly different look on each brick. You could then add a dry brush of white or even red to enhance it further. Or maybe do the lot in red or just the bricks. Try one idea and if not happy when dry, try one of the other ideas. Or maybe just pick out a few bricks in the colours. Best wishes.
I've redone several fireplaces and it's always an affordable project! Here are some tutorials for projects I've done:
https://bachelorettepadflip.com/2017/05/09/how-to-update-a-brass-fireplace-for-15/
https://bachelorettepadflip.com/2013/05/14/redoing-a-brass-fireplace/
https://bachelorettepadflip.com/2013/09/15/white-washing-tutorial/
Tons of potential! Here is a fireplace redo I did in our current house. Here is a fireplace redo my daughter in law did to their old house. Hope these inspire you!