Depending on the finish of the wood on the mantle, painting it white would draw attention to the mantle.

Would you consider painting the brick?

If you either paint the brick the same color as the wall or reface with tile, it will look amazing!

I would not recommend painting your mantel the same light color as your existing trim. With the current darker color, the brick visually flows from the top of the ceiling to the floor. If the mantle is a lighter color, you will visually break up the brick and end up with two smaller rectangular brick areas, which I think would look too chunky and disconnected. The room is already fairly light colored, so I don’t think changing the mantle will add to that. Best to you in pulling everything together.

Paint the brick....please!

I plan to refinish the fireplace in 2-3 years. This would be a temporary fix for the time. I don't think I am going to mess with the brick right now. But maybe add something brighter on the mantel

Other side of room

I think I would get a larger mirror or a great piece of art over the mantel instead of the smaller one you have now. You can get color with art or get a lighter frame if you want it lightened. I wouldn't paint the mantel until/unless you're painting or tiling the brick.

Painting the brick is a 1-2 day job for $40 and will change the entire look and feel of your room. I wouldn't wait 3 yrs. mirrors too high are bad feng shui, I say put some art piece there and loose the mantel clutter. Or layer frames of black and white shots across the whole thing. I don't understand the 2 sconces next to ea other to the right of fp. Odd. I would pull your couch fwd a bit and maybe do a sofa table to make it more cozy in there.

just be careful the white is not too creamy it will look tacky (and yes i know that sounds crazy but it is true)

Paint the brick same creamy color as wall then paint mantel black or expresso. Not a difficult weekend project. Would make a huge difference. Can you pull the furniture away from the wall and anchor with a coffee table?

Also clear off the mantel please! Tilt a tall painting with the colors you are using ( creams, dark brown, blues) and don't put any of that stuff back on mantel. Perhaps 3 similar items of varying heights grouped on one side of painting. Look at how mantels are decorated onHouzz for ideas.

Hi, brighten up the room by picking a color scheme. The pillows and curtains can come together with little color. Try using some reds to pick up on the color of the bricks. It just look to neutral and bland. Maybe painting the walls with a warm color will help also.

Absolutely! Paint it white!

Paint the mantel and add a taller picture or mirror to fill out the upper space. You would be surprised how great it can look if brick was also painted. It will brighten and freshen it up. Good luck

You may get a nice effect for now if you paint the top part of the mantle. Ask a local hardware store for advice on painting brick. Good luck!

Rebuild the entire fireplace! Search Houzz for brick filament ideas. You could do wonderful things for few dollars other than just paint the mantle.

Painting the mantel white would be a nice touch to brighten it up, but it seems like the color of the brick is the darker part, so painting the mantel might not do what you're hoping. Updating the brick with a stone veneer in a lighter color would work to brighten the room, and then you may want the darker mantel.

Raise the mirror and place colorful interesting items on the mantel. Less is more. You have too much stuff going on. Draperies distract from FP. Can't see balance of room but perhaps they could be tied back to opposite side of window leaving space around FP to feature it...or simple slatted blinds.

If you're going to paint the brick...you may as well paint the cat...he doesn't match anything either.

Sorry, but if you have ever had a functional fieplace & had it painted white...you know that it makes just as much sense to paint the cat.

Paint the brick and leave the mantel. i just did that to mine and the difference is astounding! It does not interfere with the use of the fireplace whatsoever....

The question is "do I paint he mantle"? Not "do I paint the brick"?

I would not paint the mantle or the brick until you have decided how you will be updating it in the future, as you mentioned. I agree to clear off the mantle of small clutter, and add a few larger- light, bright, or reflective objects instead to draw they eye. Like someone previously stated about leaning art, or an enlarge framed photo with a large white matt area to lighten it up without making permanent changes until you are ready. Also, painting brick white (cream, whatever) is the traditional route. If you like contemporary, maybe you would like it stained darker... or painted another color (tone-on-tone).

Have a custom cut beveled edge mirror to cover the entire space above the ledge. Will add a lot of light to the room. Reface brick
with elderarado stone or large tile.

I painted the brick a matte slightly off white and it transformed our dark cave into a bright and cheery room. I'm getting a railroad tie for the mantle but yours I would paint a semi gloss white the same color that you use on the bricks.

Paint the brick a softer mixture of strong browns to light tans, and leave the beautiful wood mantel as is. Lose the mirror. Replace with colorful art that reflects your tastes, accented on each side of the mantel by small groups of various sized candles in a color that compliments the art. Also change the drapes to compliment the art. A nice toned red always seems to work well with tans and browns. It may sound as though it will darken...but it will actually lighten up and unclutter the area. The cost is reasonable, and you will not have made changes that cannot be incorporated into a remodel later. Good luck!

take down the sconces and put in two picture lights, hang some art on that wall it will look much more intentional.

another view.

Perhaps lose the mantel altogether and place a large piece of framed art on the brick wall. No clutter and a focal point for the room.

Whichever you decide on, be sure to make the art or mirror tall and fairly narrow, with variant tall and short items on either side as this will give the low, broad fireplace a sleek overall appearance. I love that you have such a great space, and so many options to work with!

I agree with a nice piece of Art and a clean look without the mantel.

Take the mantle down, and call a professional cabinet maker. Get him to draw up some ideas or ask him to show you pictures. He can give you sample pieces of different colors to take home. Usually there are other places that make up custom mantles and bookcases too. You can do a double stacked mantle with legs that go to the floor. They're kind of like two mantles stacked on top of each other with a space for a tv or mirror.

Or just paint your current one black or whatever color. The current one looks a little too small.

Or just leave it...

Don't paint the brick.

I don't think your mantel is adding anything to the room as it is. Personally, I'd like to see you remove it, and paint the brick.