Ask Joshua: When Should You Paint a Fireplace—and When Should You Leave It Alone?

Hi Joshua,

My husband and I recently purchased our first home in Minneapolis, and we're expecting our first baby later this year. The living room has a large red brick fireplace that feels dark and heavy compared to the light, airy spaces I keep seeing online. I've considered painting the fireplace white, but I'm worried I'll regret it since it's original to the home. If I decide not to paint it, how can I make the room feel brighter and lighter without losing the character of the fireplace?

Thanks,
Melissa – Minneapolis, Minnesota

Designed by virtual interior designer Joshua Jones of JJones Design Co., this California Casual living room in a mid-century home demonstrates how lighter furnishings, natural textures, and layered lighting can help a room feel brighter while preserving the original brick fireplace.

Hi Melissa,

Congratulations on your first home and the exciting news about your growing family!

This is one of the most common fireplace questions I receive, and my answer might surprise you: just because a fireplace feels dark doesn't automatically mean it needs to be painted.

In fact, many homeowners rush to paint a fireplace when the real issue is that the room surrounding it isn't helping showcase it properly.

When I Would Leave a Fireplace Alone

If your fireplace has attractive brick, natural stone, or original character, I generally recommend living with it for a while before making a permanent change.

A red brick fireplace often provides warmth, texture, and architectural character that can be difficult—or impossible—to restore once it has been painted. While painted fireplaces continue to be popular, I've seen many homeowners regret covering beautiful original materials simply because the room felt dark at first glance.

Before you decide to paint your fireplace, ask yourself this question:

Is the fireplace actually the problem, or is the rest of the room making it feel heavier than it should?

How to Make a Brick Fireplace Feel Lighter Without Painting It

If you want to update a brick fireplace without painting it, start by looking at the surrounding finishes.

Some of my favorite ways to make a room feel brighter include:

• Painting the walls a lighter warm white or soft greige.

• Choosing a larger light-colored area rug.

• Bringing in lighter upholstery fabrics.

• Replacing dark window treatments with airy linen drapery.

• Adding layered lighting, including table lamps and floor lamps.

• Incorporating mirrors to reflect natural light throughout the room.

• Styling the mantel with fewer, larger accessories rather than many small decorative items.

These changes often have a much bigger impact than homeowners expect.

When I Would Consider Painting a Fireplace

There are situations where painting a fireplace makes sense.

For example, I may recommend painting when:

• The brick has already been painted previously.

• The fireplace contains mismatched repair work.

• The brick quality is poor or heavily damaged.

• The fireplace feels completely disconnected from the home's architectural style.

• The homeowner is pursuing a very specific design aesthetic that the existing materials cannot support.

• The fireplace is a simple flat brick wall without much character, architectural detailing, or unique craftsmanship.

One factor I always consider is whether the fireplace contributes architectural interest to the room. If the fireplace features beautiful masonry work, distinctive brick patterns, a substantial mantel, built-in bookcases, stone detailing, or other architectural elements, I'm much more likely to preserve it. On the other hand, if it's simply a flat expanse of basic brick with little visual interest, painting it can sometimes help it feel more intentional and integrated with the rest of the space.

In these situations, a painted brick fireplace can help create a cleaner and more cohesive look.

My Recommendation

If this is your first year in the home, I would resist the urge to paint the fireplace immediately.

Instead, focus on brightening the room around it first. New wall colors, updated furnishings, improved lighting, and thoughtful styling can dramatically change how a brick fireplace feels without making a permanent alteration.

After you've lived with those changes for a few months, you'll have a much better sense of whether the fireplace truly needs a makeover—or if it was the room around it that needed the update all along.

Warmly,

Joshua Jones

Have interior design related questions? You can ask Joshua here.