Are you a homeowner who got lucky and now has a brick fireplace? A brick fireplace can add charm and character to any living space, but if you’re looking to refresh its appearance or match it with your updated decor, painting can be a fantastic solution. In fact, this is a DIY project you can finish in less than one day. Here are a few tips on how to paint your brick fireplace to revamp your living space.

How To Paint Your Brick Fireplace

Before you get started, clean your fireplace. You want to vacuum as much dust and debris away as possible. After a good vacuum and dusting, give it a deep clean with an all-purpose cleaner. If debris still remains, paint company Benjamin Moore suggests you, “try a degreaser or trisodium phosphate [that] can also be used for a deeper clean.”

After you’ve cleared all those old spiderwebs, purchase some painting supplies to start your paint job, like paint rollers, paint trays, and paintbrushes. Don’t worry about buying expensive or fancy paintbrushes. You want to focus on cleaning your fireplace and using a high-quality primer.

Now that your fireplace is cleaned, start with a tinted primer. Brick can slightly alter the way the paint looks, so you may want to test a few colors before you select your final choice. Keep in mind that you’re going to need to use a few coats of primer. To be on the safe side, you can prime your fireplace one day and let it completely dry overnight. You want to make sure you get every spot you want to be painted on your fireplace with primer.

When it comes to choosing paint, opt for a paint specifically formulated for masonry or high-heat environments. Acrylic latex paint is often a popular choice due to its durability, heat resistance, and wide range of available colors.

Now it’s finally time to start painting. Focus on painting the mortar lines—the visible lines between individual bricks—with a brush. This way, you can ensure you don’t miss any spots that are harder to reach with a paint roller. Once you complete all the mortar lines, you can take a roller brush and finish painting your fireplace. However, make sure you choose a paint that works well with extreme heat if you plan on lighting your fireplace often. If your fireplace is not functional, you can use standard paint.

Painting a brick fireplace can be a transformative and rewarding project that can breathe new life into your living space. By following the proper steps and using the right supplies, you can achieve a beautiful and long-lasting finish.