Should all brick fireplaces be painted? Absolutely not. We usually advise anyone who’s unsure to leave the brick alone. But if you’re certain you prefer the look of painted brick, it’s a wonderful way to lighten a room and give it a fresh, contemporary feel. In fact, we sold our first house in two weeks with two painted brick fireplaces, so a painted hearth isn’t necessarily a resale drawback. This living room makeover by Jamie and Ehren demonstrates how painting the fireplace white and pairing it with darker blue built-ins can dramatically brighten and refine a space.
Hey YoungHouseLovers! Your blog inspired me to start my own blog to document the progress we make on our new home that we bought in July. I just wanted to share our living room transformation. It’s finally the “vision” that I had when we moved in. Here’s the before, shortly after we moved in:
It took about seven months to complete the upgrade, and every step was worth it. I created chevron artwork, refinished the brass fireplace insert, made paint-chip art, sewed no-sew pillows, and painted and styled the built-in shelves. The biggest, most tedious change that made the most dramatic difference was painting the brick fireplace.
Between the two of us, it took roughly 14 hours of painting to finish the fireplace. The effort paid off—this single change brightened the whole room and unified the space with a light, clean backdrop.
The coffee table in the room is one of my favorite pieces. It’s a resin cast resembling Philippine railroad ties, which carries special meaning for us. It’s large and practical—crumbs, water rings, and dust simply don’t show.
My advice: don’t be afraid to paint brick if you prefer that aesthetic. A painted fireplace will brighten a room and lend a more contemporary look, especially when combined with painted built-ins or contrasting accents. Our dog Cozy approves.
The transformation makes it hard to remember the original “before” picture. We’re thrilled with the result and enjoy how the painted fireplace ties the room together.
Keep up the great work and thanks for checking this out! – Jamie & Ehren from Lawrence, Kansas
This finished look—white-painted brick fireplace paired with deep blue built-ins—creates a striking contrast that balances light and depth in the living room. The dark wood beams, wood mantel, and leather seating add warmth and texture, while the clean white hearth visually expands the space. Personal touches like the resin coffee table and custom artwork give the room personality and meaning.
If you’re weighing whether to paint your brick fireplace, consider these practical points: painted brick brightens and modernizes a room; it pairs well with bold built-in colors for contrast; and while painting brick is time-consuming, the visual payoff can be substantial. For a cohesive makeover, combine painted brick with coordinated shelving paint, new accents, and a few meaningful furnishings.
Jamie and Ehren documented the full makeover process on their blog, including step-by-step photos and DIY tutorials for the chevron art, refinished brass insert, paint chip art, and the no-sew pillows. Their project is a good example of how layered updates—artwork, furniture, built-ins, and a painted fireplace—can transform a dated space into a bright, contemporary living area. Thanks to Jamie, Ehren, and Cozy for sharing their process and results.
Now tell us: which element of this transformation stands out to you? The painted fireplace, the deep-blue built-ins, the large coffee table, or the cozy dog? Share your favorite and any fireplace-painting experiences you’ve had.