Fireplaces add elegance and charm to any room, but sometimes they need a little extra something to become the beautiful focal point they are meant to be. One way to upgrade your fireplace or make your room feel more cohesive is with a fresh coat of paint. Paint your fireplace white to brighten your space, or go for black for a sleek, modern look. If you're feeling really adventurous, you could go for an accent color to make your fireplace pop.
No matter what color you opt for, you'll want to make sure your painted fireplace comes out looking the best it can. To achieve a beautiful painted fireplace look, there are a few tips and tricks you should follow. From paint type to necessary tools, we'll prepare you to properly paint your fireplace.
Before you begin paint shopping, you'll need to ask yourself one important question. Is your fireplace functional, and do you plan to use it? If you plan to use your fireplace, you'll need to purchase heat-resistant paint. Heat-resistant paint for fireplaces is designed for safety and aesthetic purposes. Heat-resistant paint will withstand any heat damage, keeping your paint looking great for years to come.
It's recommended that you use heat resistant-paint for your fireplace regardless of if you plan to use it or not. However, if your fireplace is not functional — or you're positive you'll never use it — you can consider other paint options. If you're interested in exploring your other paint options, we recommend indoor latex or masonry paint.
Benjamin Moore ADVANCE® paint is a stellar option. This paint is extremely durable and easy to clean. With a little soap and water, any dirt or imperfections are gone. Benjamin Moore ADVANCE® paint in either an eggshell or semigloss sheen is ideal for painting brick fireplaces.
Painting your fireplace is a great way to refresh your home's interior design. With a few coats of paint, your space has a whole new feel. If you have experience painting other areas of your home, you may feel ready to tackle your fireplace. However, the task of painting a fireplace is a little different than other painting jobs. To get the best results when painting your fireplace, we recommend fully preparing and cleaning the space, taking the time to prime and using high-quality paint.
Before you prime or paint your fireplace, you need to make sure you have a clean surface to work with. Start by using a stiff wire brush to clean off any debris. Remember to wear personal protection equipment (PPE) to prevent inhaling any dust and protect your eyes.
While removing and smoothing the surface, look for any spots that may require repair. You'll want to address any repairs before painting. Once your surface is free of debris, use a vacuum attachment to clean any remaining dust from your fireplace. Vacuum up the floor and surrounding area.
Next, you'll want to give your fireplace a deep clean by using a cleaner of your choice and water to remove any built-up soot or other residues. Cleaning up is an especially important step if you're planning on painting your brick fireplace white. Cleaning the fireplace will give your paint a clean base and allow you to paint without any residue causing discoloration.
However, when cleaning your fireplace, remember bricks are extremely porous and will absorb a good amount of water. Give your fireplace at least 24 hours to dry completely before moving on to priming.
Overall, before painting, you'll want to have the following equipment on hand:
Before you prime your surface, use painter's tape to tape off all of the fireplace edges. You'll also want to lay down protection for your floors if you haven't already. Even the most careful painters can drip a drop of paint or two, so it's better to be prepared for any messes by laying down a drop cloth or other form of floor protection.
Next, start priming the mortar lines — the lines between each brick. We recommend using a brush to help you really get into the groves.
After you thoroughly prime the mortar lines, grab your roller and begin to prime the rest of the fireplace's surface. If your fireplace extends further than you can reach, make sure to purchase an extension pole to easily reach those higher areas.
Again, brick is porous, so expect to use more primer than you would for a normal wall or surface. You may even need to apply two coats of primer to ensure the best color results, especially for lighter paint colors. It's recommended to let your primer continue to dry overnight.
After cleaning and priming, you're finally ready to begin painting. Just like the priming process, grab a brush to begin painting the mortar lines. Once that is complete, you can use a roller to paint the rest of the fireplace. It is recommended that you apply a second coat of paint to ensure the best color payoff and durability, especially when using a lighter color.
Brick fireplace paint is often neutral, like white, black and gray. However, if you're looking for your fireplace to be an accent or statement point, don't be afraid to try bolder, nontraditional colors. If you're in need of some color inspiration, check out our paint color guide.
Regardless of the color you choose, you'll want to make sure you use high-quality paint. The quality of the paint you use can be the difference between two coats of paint and three to four coats of paint. That's why we always recommend Benjamin Moore paint so you can get the job done right the first time.
When you're ready to paint your fireplace, shop Aboff's Paints for paint tools, Benjamin Moore primer and ADVANCE paint for the highest-quality finish. We have everything you need in one convenient place at any of our 32 stores on Long Island. With years of experience under our belt, our team is ready to help you find the premium products that will bring your painting project to the next level. Find an Aboff's paint store near you, and stop in to visit us today.
