If you paint the wall a similar color to the couch everything will blend, which could be a nice look. You could then introduce teal blues or eggplant purple in accessories. You could pick out a caramel color from the wood for a warmer look but still staying pretty neutral. You could consider a blue gray for a bit of contrast and accessorize with a dark teal blue and yellow gold. You could consider painting the wood one of the lighter tones from the brick and then paint above the wood in a shade or two lighter. These are just some of the ideas you could play around with.

Because the brick looks orangey-red, I would definitely paint it. There are some companies that sell a product that makes the brick look old - really cool product.
http://www.brick-anew.com/info/colors.html

Since you have carpet that is pretty neutral, if you paint the fireplace and the wood paneling neutral, you could spice up the area with a larger area rug (I see you have a nice small rug by the fireplace) and the wall with a large painting. I also wouldn't have so much stuff on the fireplace. I would keep it simple.

You have a nice space. It will look really good.

thanks. that's actually the sellers stuff in the photo :) the place is packed with stuff! i will definitely be keeping the fireplace area free of clutter. and the painting of the brick is a good idea. i'll have to look into it. what i'm really wondering is what paint color would look good with the couch and if i should paint the paneling or not...

If you are adding a large sofa to the room it would probably to help open up the room by painting the fireplace and the wood wainscoting. I might do the fireplace, the walls and ceiling the same shade (give the illusion of height) and drop to a slightly darker shade on the wainscot. Find a color that tones into your sofa and carpet but don't go too dark. The right area rug could bring the sofa and carpet color together plus adding an accent color you want to use.

Ditto coolkitty. Just wanted to say your children are darling!

i like the gray and white idea. i'm doing the upstairs sitting room gray so that would flow nicely. i also like something similar to the couch. the carpet is neutral so that's good. i like the painting of the brick idea too.

and thanks. i think my kids are cute too :)

If you check out www.theletteredcottage.net, (link: http://theletteredcottage.net/my-82-fireplace-makeover/ ) they had a brick fireplace & paneling very similar to yours & they did an amazing job refinishing it! Almost makes me want to go out & buy a house with paneled walls!! Almost! ;) I wouldn't be put off a home anymore, at least, knowing how great the end result can look!
Good luck!

I took a sample of my sofa fabric to a paint store and they matched it exactly. You might paint the brick that color and do the walls and paneling with a half or quarter formula. I did this in my house and it works well.

HI -- I think it would be better to remove the wainscotting and just have smooth walls.Then it would look less like a basement. Paint the ceiling ( ben moore paints - horizon OC -53) and the walls and fireplace ( op) and trims and baseboards (Revere pewter HC- 172). Simple, Clean, and Modern and will go with your sofa and kids.( too cute !)

I helped my daughter paint her outdated brick fireplace in her basement area a creamy off-white color. We then painted the side walls with an accent color. It turned out great. Definitely paint the brick and the paneling. Use a neutral color then your gold sofa and whatever other accent colors you like will provide the pop. Painting brick is challenging but they make paint rollers specifically for painting brick. You won't regret it!

Eva, you have visual cacophony. The eye doesn't know where to rest. Your best bet is to dial back the visual chatter. You have the two-tone beams, the red fireplace, half walls with dark panelling, and stripes on the back wall. I would prioritize. Make a list of what you don't like and put them in order of importance. So, I would suggest you throw out the single most annoying aspect of your room, and you will have Houzzers help you tackle that. Then I would go to number 2, and so on. You might want to have the big picture before you get started, but for the sake of being able to move forward, I think one thing at a time would be helpful. Also, let us understand the framework of your budget and a timeline (when you would like to be finished with the room). :)

I suggest you panel the fireplace and not paint it. In the process you can run electrical conduits and mount a flat panel tv above it. I would not keep the existing panel, but opt for a smooth light oak for the whole remodel. Alternatively you could stucco the fireplace but I don't suggest that.

I am definitely of the opinion to paint the fireplace ,I would remove the paneling all together and just have sheetrock walls painting the walls and all trim a warm shade of white . The color of the room can be added with the sofa and pillows and art.

we close on the house in 2.5 weeks and have to replace carpet in the bedrooms and paint those rooms as well. so the basement room isn't the priority right now. but when we do get to it, i'll want to ditch the forest green first and then make up my mind about the paneling and then the brick. my husband is not a fan of painting the paneling or the brick b/c you can't undo it and someone else might not like it if we have to sell years later. i think, in time, he'll come around to my perspective of change. in the couch photo you can see i had a natural color on the walls and though i liked the stripes, i thought the color didn't really match the couch well, though it flowed with the rest of the house. so i was thinking of doing something similar but different. i was also considering gray... i'm not a huge decorator and our house isn't perfect (3 kids!) so i'm not worried about accessorizing hugely, though i'm learning. so, does that help? oh, and we will be keeping the paneling. don't want to tear that out. we already did a remodel and have another level down to finish so we don't need another big project.

and how do you "panel the fireplace" @machominnow. not following you.

Paneling a fireplace is easy . The contractor will follow the design given him. First he will have to run strips of wood to attach the panels ,use the building code in your area to surround the open fire area with the selected materials stone , metal non combustible material then paint or stain the panels.

You can also whitewash the fireplace if you don't want to do opaque paint. That is what I am planning to do to make the room look larger!

Paint the brick. Not sure why your husband thinks it "can't be undone"-it's just paint! You'll be living there now-don't worry about the next homeowner.

Paint the brick and paneling white, it will totally transform the room.
I like the earlier post that suggested grey walls, another good wall color would be sage green.

Paint the brick and paneling white, it will totally transform the room.
I like the earlier post that suggested grey walls it will be crisp and clean.
Furniture, check out roomandboard.com great look many options and fabric choices.
I have 3 kids and my room and board sectional is super durable.

Eva, after you ditch the forrest green, then you wanted to tackle the paneling....good! I would remove the paneling altogether because as it sits presently, it is too tall for the fireplace AND the beams make the wall appear even shorter. This is an instance where paneling is not an asset to the room. Had it been installed at about 32" in height, then you would have been fine in painting it, but not so in this instance. With your two fireplace openings and then the paneling you have a stair step effect which asks the eye to keep looking at the stair steps from left to right and over and over again. It's much akin to the mind ruminating. Next you say the fireplace. I always love the architectural aspect of brick whether it is painted or not, but in this case the natural brick needs to be dialed down, so painting is your best option. Whether you want it white, soft gray, soft neutral or whatever, it just becomes part of your overall plan for distribution of color and the palate you have selected. Personally, I prefer the fresh look of white and then that enables you to paint out the beams as well. The beams need to "disappear" and that is the most practical way to approach it. I love Betsy's picture which shows you the effect of all white beams and ceiling with contrasting walls. Very pretty.

I had to paint my ugly 1970's fireplace brick. Used one coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Very easy and no prep work. http://shab2fab.com/chalk-paint-brick-fireplace-makeover/

If you want to stay within a budget I would start with the paneling. Be careful if you take it off because you may be surprised what work could lie beneath. I would paint it. Looks like there is an off white in the brick so maybe go with an off white color and the couch color on top of the wall. You can always add color through pillows and accessories. Pick one thing so your husband doesn't object to too much painting. Another option is the stone overlay which looks great too but not sure how expensive it is. I agree with MRSSML about doing it for you. You just bought the house, enjoy it for you. If the next homeowner wants to change it they're welcome to!

If you want to stay within a budget I would start with the paneling. Be careful if you take it off because you may be surprised what work could lie beneath. I would paint it. Looks like there is an off white in the brick so maybe go with an off white color and the couch color on top of the wall. You can always add color through pillows and accessories. Pick one thing so your husband doesn't object to too much painting. Another option is the stone overlay which looks great too but not sure how expensive it is. I agree with MRSSML about doing it for you. You just bought the house, enjoy it for you. If the next homeowner wants to change it they're welcome to!

Maybe ask him to compromise by only painting the wood paneling. I don't think painted paneling would be a negative to future buyers. 80% of my home is wood paneling and i'm sooo glad it was already painted before we moved in.

Paint both the walls and paneling close to carpet color this will make the room seem larger, if you want a difference between the two then go with darker shade on panel and lighter on walls this will make the fireplace the vocal point. dont worry about furniture color, just sprinkle the color of the couch around the room. also just a tip before you paint the insets on fireplace try cuting out some cardboard the same size and paint them then just push them in place and live with it before you paint or use mirrors

Use a primer on the green beams to cover the green. I'd paint that before you rip out the carpet. Get a gallon each of Bin123 and ceiling paint; it should be a quick fix.

anyone know how to prep a brick fireplace for painting?

anyone know how to prep a brick fireplace for painting?

Great Tutorial for whitewashing a fireplace on The Yellow Cape Cod!

concerning cleaning brick, i've read everything from washing with soap and water and vacuuming, to just priming over it, to hiring a professional.

If you use a good quality chalk paint you won't need to prep. But if you are using a latex you should ask whoever you are buying from. http://shab2fab.com/chalk-paint-brick-fireplace-makeover/

Check out www.theyellowcapecod.com, there are pictures, and instructions on whitewashing a brick fireplace. It looks great and easy, too.

Get rid of the paneling. It is so dated. Also paint the fire place. I was also stuck w/ an old brick fireplace and no one in the family would agree to changing it. Maybe n the future you can get some real stone. Agree w/ painting the ceiling beams a contrasting but soft color. That will give you some depth. It's only paint so don't worry.

I went to Home Depot and bought a white mason paint and painted my faded red brick fireplace white. I totally loved it! It did not take a long time to paint and I have had no regrets. Neither have I had problems with soot or discoloring with the lighting of the fireplace.

as far as the paneling, I have seen some beautiful jobs done with painting it. I would not be afraid to paint it.....I have even seen people caulk in the lines on the paneling to make the lines smooth and wall-paper over it.....a lot of work but beauitful when finished. Maybe put a cap on it and give it a cape cod waynes coating look.

as far as beams, a house in Oklahoma we owned had 1970's cedar beams....Yuck, it took 3 coats of kills and 2 coats of white paint but even my father-in-law, who was resistant loved it.......the white cedar beams totally opened up the room and made it feel bigger.

as far as colors, I always find something that I love as a focal point. A painting, poster, a chair or even a carpeting that I like and build from there. Then I make pillows, paint walls and flare from there. since you have beauitful babies (okay so I am a mom, I know that they are not babies, and my 13 year old would be rolling her eyes at me) I would make sure that everything is durable, washable, barfable, animal safe ( as in if the cat yacks on it) and presto I have a functional fun loving space.

I would use a watered down white paint to give the fireplace a washed out look reducing the red/orange tones that will clash with your couch. This will also give it an aged patina that will look appropriate with the feeling of the paneling. Leave the paneling alone as it ties in with the window trim. Go with a light shade of a soft tan on the walls for a little color that will contrast with the dark wood and become a nice backdrop for the furnishings. Then your overall backdrop will be a classic tan and chocolate keeping things neutral. This way any artwork accessories and furniture will look great. An alternate look would be to paint both the fireplace and the paneling and trim a bright white in a gloss finish and then use a fun color on the wall that coordinates with your couch.