I think it'll look funny painted. If it's too much brick, what about drywalling over the upper portion? I'd start by hanging a large mirror or artwork to help soften the monolith effect.

It would look so much better painted! The drywall idea isn't bad either, but it might cut down on available mantle space and make the top appear larger

There was a discussion a few weeks back about white washing fireplace brick. It turned out great and I think would look nice in your room. You might want to check it out. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/fireplace-remodel-dsvw-vd~263914

If this is your forever home, do what makes you happy. If you ever plan to sell it, don't paint the brick. I would, however, advise doing a built-in or a credenza for the TV corner and a better arrangement of the furniture so that the sofa isn't isolated from the grouping around FP and TV. Can you turn the rug, put the sofa perpendicular to the FP on the left and pull the two chairs back to to the right to make room for the sofa?

https://www.houzz.com/photos/2012-fall-parade-home-traditional-family-room-minneapolis-phvw-vp~1407064

Maybe but looks good as it is

I had dark brown brick on some walls in my previous home and I painted them white. It looked sensational. I think you should paint them!

Brick looks great as is in my opinion.

I love white painted brick :)

do to the shape and size that fireplace should stay as is, the wall color might should change

the red of the brick is pulling green from the wall color, if you like that cool, I'd go with another paint color

what a great shape! I love it. I think it would look good whitewashed but I would not paint it. I would not build anything against it as it is indeed a very funky unique shape.

I would dry wall the top part. i did it to mine and it updated the look in a great way. Crown moulding in the room if you can and leave the bottom of the fireplace alone. A large mirror would finish it off. I also did the whitewash on our kitchen fireplace. It is a kit you purchase and it turned out great and is very easy to use. I think it costs around $200 but really is worth it.

I really like the look of painted brick if the brick and the wall and the trim are all the same color; preferably white. It certainly makes a small room look bigger. There are many examples of painted brick fireplaces, in colors other than white too, on Houzz.

I painted my ugly brick fireplace the same color as my trim.(off white) Looks great , I haven't regretted it at all..Go for it..:)