When we moved into this house, the fireplace was, well, it was there. That’s the best way I can describe it. It wasn’t charming or cozy, it just kind of loomed in the corner, all bland brick and outdated vibes that drained the energy out of our living room. We bought our home from house flippers who thought painting all of the home’s beautiful red bricks a shade of corpse-like beige was a good idea. The fireplace also had a firebox that probably heated the house like nobody’s business, but I wanted the kind of fireplace where you could watch the flames flicker while curled up with a blanket and a warm drink. So, we decided the first project we would tackle in our new home would be the fireplace.
And now? It’s one of my favorite spots in the house.
Before: A Big, Brown Wall
The original fireplace was a mix of dark brick, shiny laminate trim, and an odd mantle that didn’t fit our style. It felt heavy and gloomy, especially against the rest of the room’s lighter colors. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t us.
Here’s what we started with:
The Vision: Bright and Clean
I wanted the fireplace to feel clean and updated yet soft. We didn’t have a huge budget, so we decided to keep the brick but paint it. I gathered inspiration from Pinterest and social media photos and landed on a simple plan: white paint for the brick, remove that ginormous firebox, new hearth tile, and a subtle update to the mantle.
What We Did
This wasn’t a major renovation—it was more of a thoughtful refresh and only took a weekend to complete. Here’s what the project looked like:
1. Demo and Clean
We started our DIY fireplace refresh project by tearing out the hearth tile and taking down the mantle. The tile came up without any issues, and the floor beneath was in good shape and ready for something new.
Next came the hard part, removing the giant firebox. That thing was heavvvyyy! We ended up selling it on Facebook Marketplace for $350. Looking back, we probably could have gotten more – the couple who bought it drove 2 ½ hours for it! And, we had 4 other interested parties ready to pounce if they didn’t show up. Oh well. We used the money we made to hire a chimney sweep to clean and inspect the fireplace.
2. Painted the brick.
We did two coats of Swiss Coffee from Benjamin Moore, which brightened the room instantly. I was nervous with the first coat, but once it started drying, I knew it was the right choice.
Tip: If you’re painting brick, use a masonry brush for the grout lines first, then a roller over the surface.
3. Updated the trim and mantle.
We replaced the outdated hearth tile with a boho-esque tile that adds a little bit of character to the space. We also painted the mantle to match the rest of the room’s palette. I was shocked at how much better the mantle looked in a new, darker shade!
4. Installed The Most Important Part
To wrap up our project, we installed a new firebox with glass doors. We love the sleek, modern look of the doors and how they make the entire space look refreshed. Thanks to the detailed instructions, we had no trouble with installation and are so happy with how it turned out.
The After: A Whole New Vibe
Now, the fireplace is one of the coziest spots in our home. It anchors the room but in a quiet, inviting way. This project reminded me that you don’t always need a full renovation to make a big impact. Sometimes, a few small changes and a clear vision are all it takes.
What We Used
Mantle Stain: We used a few coats of Black Classic Wood Stain by Varathane. Even though it is a very dark stain, it still allows for the grain in the wood mantle to show through, which I love.
Glass Doors: We found our fireplace cabinet with glass doors on Wayfair and absolutely love it!
Paint Color: You can’t go wrong with Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore!
Hearth Tile: The pretty porcelain tile we chose looks so good next to my vintage Persian rug.
Thinking of Painting Your Brick?
If you’ve been staring at a brick fireplace that doesn’t feel like you, this is your sign to go for it. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive – just a few coats of paint and a little love can make all the difference!
Let me know if you’re thinking of tackling your own fireplace—I’d love to hear your plans!
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