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Design Dilemma
galloml

What color goes with a red brick fireplace?

12 years ago
We bought a ranch house built in 1965. We will be renovating the main level, but won't have a real budget for the basement rec room for a couple of years. We would like to paint in the interim to make it feel more like home. My husband does not want to paint the brick. What color goes with brick. This is a walk-out basement, so it does get some afternoon light.
Featured Answer
  • 12 years ago
    Men! They never want to paint brick or wood paneling, LOL

    What exactly are you inquiring into on colors? Furniture? Walls? Decor? You can never go wrong with grey or black, both of which are in the brick colors you have.

    Hopefully he'll let you paint the paneling, or remove it. It really makes the room look dated.

    The brick wall isn't that bad in my opinion, but it is bare. If this were my room I might look into getting some black bookcases, either Ikea (look into their Billy or Expedit design lines) or custom made, to go on either side of the fireplace opening. Ikea shelving units are fairly consistent in depth at 11 1/2 inches, 12 inches deep if they have doors. It looks like they might fit on the hearth area above the floor depth-wise. I've installed them next to my fireplaces, and they really help reduce the effect of a large blank brick wall. Then when I installed the mantle between them, it looks custom made, and again, makes something nice out of a blank brick wall. I left the backs off the cabinets to let the brick show through.

    If this is your furniture in the room, I think it looks nice. If I were going to make changes I'd do the bookshelves and paint the paneling.

    Comments (25)

    • 12 years ago
      A cream or latte color.
      galloml thanked dclostboy

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    • 12 years ago
      I have a very similar situation, and I went with BM Elmira White (a putty shade)
      galloml thanked Brenda
    • 12 years ago
      We are definitely open to painting the wood paneling! I was thinking a pale grey to go with the colors in his golf pictures and some of the bricks are grey/black, but was worried it would be cold. He has started painting the trim white, so I need to choose while he is motivated!
    • 12 years ago
      Love Elmira White...front staircase (4 floors) is painted this color. Changes in changing light.
    • 12 years ago
      DEFINATELY paint the paneling ...
    • 12 years ago
      i would like to see a mid tone blue with it. and i love the brick! i'm with your husband on this one. .... i'd paint the paneling! i
    • 12 years ago
      last modified: 12 years ago
      Paint the brass part of the fireplace black and then enjoy the brick! It looks just fine! Find a greige that will tie in with your furniture and the floor to paint that paneling and you will have a quick and inexpensive fix that will make you content. And enjoy that wine collection!!!
    • 12 years ago
      Is it possible to move the tv to that larger wall on the other side of the door so it fits better? And, does the sectional come apart at all?
    • 12 years ago
      I like the idea of painting the brass, will see if I can do that without creating a fire hazard, there must be paint for fireplaces?

      I had moved the sectional to the other side of the fireplace one day - the long side of it is too long, it blocked the sliding glass door. It is a 3 piece sectional, I can remove the chaise or the side that faces the fireplace. It was bought for a different room, does not fit properly here, it will go eventually.

      The tv can be moved, we have a wall hanger for it. We were thinking about taking out the tall skinny bookshelves and hanging the tv on an angle in the corner on the outer wall. (i.e. behind where it sits at the moment) But, then we have to create storage for the electronics and their accoutrements, so much stuff... maybe i will investigate those ikea bookshelves someone mentioned.

      Speaking of, we are debating removing the closet to the right of the sliding glass door, it is empty, we don't really need a coat closet in the rec room.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Green and terra cotta,also yellow go wellAlsosmoky gray,yellow/cream goldish
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      The brick wall is large and could use some care. Shelves, mirrors, artwork etc...
      Paint colors should be neutral to not compete with the bricks, either beige or eggshell with maybe a wall with a strong color black or grey as suggested above to bring a modern look to the space.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Ilike sectional rug shofar so good colors,greens,gray neigh black latte.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Benjamin Moore Harwood putty might be nice.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      last modified: 12 years ago
      I think abbeyjean is onto something with moving the TV to the other corner. I like the look of painted paneling.
    • 12 years ago
      move your bookcase to the hearth, definitely take down the paneling, even painted, it will look cheese!
    • 12 years ago
      My home is 1968. My fireplace is used brick warm red and orange tones. My family room was very dark walnut color paneling. I finally got brave and painted it a very creamy white that reflects the light. I think creamy white goes nicely with used brick. The exterior is a warm light blue. I would not have chosen blue myself but it goes nicely with the oranges in the brick. Blue and orange are complementary on the color wheel. Red and green are complementary colors on the wheel. So if your brick is more in the red range and maybe the cooler red, then maybe a green in the room. If the brick tone is warmer, maybe a warm light grey, or cream ! I think do not paint the brick.
    • 12 years ago
      I like my painted paneling. I like the look. Mine does not look cheesy.
    • 12 years ago
      With you current furnishings, a dark greyed brown will make the room feel more put together and spacious. I do not suggest lighter tones, which will bring mismatched pieces into sharp focus, and lend to a disjointedness in the space. With the closet gone, you might turn the sectional to face the fireplace and corner stationed tv, opening the area further.
    • 12 years ago
      Paint the paneling white, brick very light grey for contrast & brass fireplace black. Hang TV above fireplace & hide movies in rattan boxes, then figure furniture placement.
    • 12 years ago
      last modified: 12 years ago
      Check out Rustoleum paint in a can.....meant for jobs like this, on the fireplace insert.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Galloml ,re panted panels,depends quality of millwork age etc.another houzz site counsels cherry,heart of pine think twice floors and panels age patina quality reconsider.cannot recreate older millworker stains,quality.
    • 12 years ago
      This is one instance where I think the tv would actually be best above the fireplace, but only as high as it needs to be for heat clearance. I would add a mantel all across the fireplace wall. I would think looking at the tv against the slider and outside light would be too much glare. The shelving in the corner I don't think is the problem. I think the tv placement is. Closets - most people always want more storage not less. Maybe that closet could become the "wine closet" and possibly the bar.
    • 12 years ago
      Agree to paint the panelling a grey/tan color...just prep with a good primer like Kilz 1 2 3. Please don't paint the brick yet...you may actually like the look once the panelling is painted.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Moms always right....sounds good
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