I would change the wall color first to a less 'peachy' tone and see how it works against the current fireplace bricks.

Paint the walls first and see what u think. Another option is to stain the bricks a cooler or warmer shade depending on color scheme in the room. That will preserve the brick without u regretting paint later on

I personally think brick is a very organic look that will come back...organic would stain it with a cooler gray/blue glaze and use similar cool/blue color scheme in the room. But those are my tastes.

Thanks all! We were thinking about doing a light blue/gray tone for the walls... I never heard of staining brick! Do you know of a good brand?

Please don't paint the brick. Add a mantle and change the other colors in the room to work better with it. Go with a warm grayed taupe perhaps. What style is your decor? Would be easier to suggest alternatives if we know what look you are going for. In the meantime, take a look at http://www.squidoo.com/using-color-in-your-home and http://www.squidoo.com/ten-biggest-decorating-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them.

I haven't done it yet..but we are buying a house with brick accents and we were researching the option. I hadn't decided on a brand or or anything yet :)

It would depend on the feel that you want for the room. There are a number of things that you could do based on your final vision for the room. Whitewash, stain, paint, etc.
I painted my fireplace brick recently and love it. It may not be for everyone, but it was cheap and fast and completely changed the look of my room. Honestly, there would never be a regret on painting that brick. If I decided to redo the fireplace, I'd year the mantel, surround, and brick hearth out and replace it with something completely different.

Our styles are a mix of contemporary and traditional... LLbean meets restoration hardware with a hint of anthropologie (if that's possible)!? I hate beige (which the room currently is), and we are hopefully going to replace the shag carpet and put in some hardwood floors (months down the line). The room is pretty small, but it is our main gathering space so we want it to be warm, but still feel open and airy. We just bought some seating for the room (this style: http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/RaymourandFlanigan/JNLW_293241255_3000?$PD_ProductMain_500w$) in that gray, so we don't want to go overboard with gray tones.

I love these fireplace discussions, and I'm usually on the side of not painting the brick. In this case, I think it should not be painted so much as covered. The drawing below is not a fireplace design, you understand :-}, more just an indication that perhaps you should consider covering the brick with whatever, and the hearth with, perhaps, slate. And installing a more substantial mantlepiece.

Er. Here it is.

This is fantastic! Thanks for taking the time to make the drawing, and thanks everyone for your advice! I am just worried that covering the fireplace and getting the materials for a new hearth, etc. will be very expensive... Is there any way to do something like on a budget of around $500 (and, let me just say that we are not very experienced DIY-ers and have no fancy hand tools beyond a drill and a hammer)?

Please do NOT paint the brick. I like the organic look of the brick , paint the rest of the walls. Try something very clean, shades of white or greys. Get some wonderful panels to go along side the windows in a lighter color than the walls ,throw in a chandelier ,large rug and BOOM! you have a wonderful room to work with ......get the pops of color you need in accessories and throws! Best of luck to you with your project! Paris

There is no trend about painting brick. Used brick look went out in the 70s. Update. You could dry wall in and, add stacked stone. (Timeless) or dry wall and paint 2 shades darker than walls. Which might be best if putting TV over it. Google re-done fireplaces, to get ideas.

I hope yo are updating window treatment. It's very dated.

You could white wash brick. Google it for instructions. The cheapest and easiest way to go.

Love your sofa and color. Paint walls a taupe with gray undertones. Get samples from Benajim Moore, they have great colors. Stay in the grays, believe me. In a small room, you don't want a lot going on. Simple panels on ends of windows, 2 shades darker than walls. Add color with accessories, and art.

I would replace the "gold" fireplace front with a more classic black one and add a mantle surround in a natural wood. You can buy nice mantle surrounds in a variety of finishes on-line. Add a fireplace tool stand to one side and a basket of scented pine cone fire starters to the other. Finished off, timeless and classic.
Plus you can decorate the mantle for Christmas!

I have to translate your $500 into my currency and town, but I think I could get a simple surround, mantlepiece and hearth out of that here. If I waxed a bit cunning. If you like the idea, get a few quotes. Try to get personal recommendations, and don't let anyone talk you into anything, but make sure the quotes are firm before you decide. If it's not on, then it's not on. Good luck!

Adding a stone facing to that fireplace would give the room such a modern look - and add a ton of character to the room! I added some photos below of some ideas to keep in mind!

- Angela

PS: the hearth -- you could get a similar effect there by simply staining the brick dark.

Thanks everyone! I think the way to go is paint the surrounding walls first (blue gray?), change out that horrible brass fireplace door to something less dated, definitely change out the window treatments and put in some airy panels , and hopefully try to find an inexpensive mantle. If that doesnt work, I will look into mantel surrounds to cover some of the brick while still keeping the organic look. I appreciate all the help!

Good job. It will look great. You could still white wash with paint from wall mixed with water. It's a easy fix. And more updated

We have painted fireplaces and with the right color and finish they can be fantastic. Work with a real color pro who knows their paint....are you in our area? Joseph is amazing at solving these issues. But at any rate, get rid of the drapes, update the wall color and definitely add a nice WIDE mantle. Think about your look, modern, contemporary, traditional, etc and collect many pictures from HOUZZ before making a move.
Call us if you need any additional advice or would like to consult with us online.

Just read your comment about budget. This is definitely not a project for inexperienced DIYs. Please find a pro. :)

Thank you Decorative Philosophy! That is good to know about using a professional. We have taken out the carpet and put in hardwood floors, updated the window coverings, and still have yet to paint the walls or fireplace. Attached are two photos of the updated room (different views than the original). I think we are going to paint the walls a light, cold blue to contrast with the brick, and then potentially stain the brick lighter or paint it white (if painting the walls does not calm the brick down.)

We are trying to go for open and airy, comfortable, and modern. We spend most of our time in this room, and its where we entertain the most, but are on a tight budget (especially with the new addition of our hardwood floors). I love that room you did!

Should I paint brick--should I paint wood paneling are discussions that have gone on forever and are gender biased. My parents almost divorced in 1955 when my Dad came home and discovered the fireplace had been painted to match the walls in the living room. (It looked beautiful, I thought) I have heard this argument a zillion times through the years and it remains largely a male-female issue. What is it about ugly red brick and ugly yellowish wood paneling that men feel is "natural" and shouldn't be touched. Brick and paneling are stained and colored--they are not even "natural". I once had a client who had this ongoing argument with her husband over an overuse of wood in their house that made it feel like a dark cave. They did divorce (not over this problem) The wife got the house and the first thing she did was paint everything white which made the house so attractive it sold for a huge profit. Well, with all the horrible things going on in the world this is a minor problem--but an ongoing discussion and issue. Good luck.

Take a peek at the Houzz article; what to do with a redbrick fireplace. It had something great color & styling ideas. :)

I highly recommend painting the brick! The mottled brick finish on your new fireplace has unfortunately become pretty dated, and I don't foresee painted brick going out of style anytime soon. We just did this in a client's home and the result was beautiful, made the space look much higher end, and the homeowners were thrilled with the look.
Most importantly, if you are doing this yourself, please go to a reputable paint retailer and get their recommended material for painting brick. Using regular wall paint will not be a good solution.
Down the road, it would be beautiful to add a nice wood mantel surround, and change the rounded brick hearth to a square, stone hearth.
Good luck, and congratulations on your new home!

Oh goodness! I hope our marriage wont dissipate over this issue!! Luckily my hubby and I are seeing eye to eye on the issue. Here are our concerns/questions:

1. Would painting the brick affect resale value? I am sure it is a matter of opinion, but I am nervous about doing something that is irreversible in case painting brick is a trend that will go away.

2. Would painting the brick surround white just draw attention to soot and normal fireplace dirt? Are white painted brick fireplaces harder to keep clean?

3. Any paint brand suggestions? Numbers of coats?

4. We still have a brass fireplace screen/doors that are also very dated and it falls out of the opening everytime we pull open the doors, but replacement doors are very expensive. Any tips? (merely painting the doors wont fix the issue of them falling out).

I appreciate everyone's help!!

Great solutions, so many options. Whatever you choose, paint baseboard trim same color as walls. Painting brick will give you more options. Fireplace mantel could be nice touch even if you go with paint. If you choose not to paint, choose a wall paint color that does not contrast with brick - that means, no blue. If you love blue, paint brick.

Thanks! I will look into ways to install a mantel over the current brick one! And good tip about the brick/blue contrast... I wouldnt have thought of that.

Haha! I'm sure your marriage will be fine alerval.....
1. Painting the brick will effect resale in a good way. It's a much more desirable, cleaner look that will appeal to the majority of people
2. Depends on how much you use it. I might go with an off-white rather than bright white to help with this.
3. Again, go to a good paint store (I use Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams) and get an educated recommendation.
4. I would remove the fireplace doors and get a new firescreen. They are nicer looking and much less expensive. Uttermost has some nice ones.

I agree with Dytecture ... simply paint the walls white. I think that keeping an element of the "original" home makes it unique, valuable, and interesting.

Also, it's much easier to change the wall color, than to reverse painting your brick fireplace. I would see what you think after you paint the wall, and like others have advised, adding a white mantel. Put the cherry on top with a small vase of fresh flowers and a couple other decor items - I bet the place will look brand new, and your fireplace will be spotlighted in a brand-new light.

Check out younghouselove.com and see what they did to their fireplace. Really awesome.

Here's just a quick mock up to give you a visual! You can also update your window curtains for a more modern look...

Thanks Samanthargill- great site! And I will definitely try to paint the walls before tackling the fireplace itself. The room is just not very bright to begin with, and the red just seems to be dating the space. Plus, the hearth is pretty narrow and its tough fitting the fireplace tools on there, so we will need to do something about the hearth (probably layering slate or a tile over the brick on the bottom).

Painting the brick is not "trendy". I have been doing it for 40 years. It is all about priming the brick properly first, so no color bleeds through. And no, if your fireplace works properly, there will be no discoloration of the brick with white/cream paint. I would paint it to match the trim. You will be happy with the look!

So we are in the Progress of updating our Fireplace the walls in the family room were painted yellow which we will paint a light beige, the owners of the original owner of the house painted the brick fireplace the dark orange you see which we do not like, should we painted the Fireplace White? or the same light beige we are painting the walls? any and all suggestions will help us in making a decision.

Titon, you need to start a new dilemma of your own if you want replies. Preferably add a couple more pictures showing the rest of the room and your furniture. Good luck.

I know this isn't the question you are asking, but is the fireplace reclaimed brick? If your home was built pre-1978, or if the brick is reclaimed, it could very well contain lead paint. If that's the case, while planning to paint or cover up the brick, you would probably want to entomb the brick/lead paint. There are special paints you can use if you want the painted brick look to do this. We dealt with this issue, our home was built using reclaimed brick from demolished early 1900's townhomes in DC. Very pretty, but we had it XRF tested and every painted surface contains lead paint :( Something to keep in mind, especially if you have small children in the home.

Sorry, just realized this is a very old thread, not sure why it popped up for me!