Should every brick fireplace be painted? Definitely not. If you’re undecided, our advice is to leave it alone. But for homeowners who are certain they prefer the look of painted brick, painting can transform a room—brightening the space and giving it a more contemporary, airy feel. In one real-life example, a house with two painted brick fireplaces sold in just two weeks, so painting brick didn’t seem to hurt resale in that case.
This makeover by Jamie and Ehren demonstrates how paint can crisp up a living room. They combined a clean white finish on the brick with a deep blue on the built-in shelving for contrast, and the result is striking. They shared their experience and photos, and their story is a good illustration of a carefully planned, patient renovation.
Hey YoungHouseLovers! Your blog inspired me to start my own blog to track the progress on the home my husband and I bought in July. I wanted to share our living room transformation—it’s finally the vision I had when we moved in.
We took our time, working on projects over about seven months. Along the way I created chevron artwork, refinished a brass fireplace insert, made paint chip art, sewed no-sew pillows, and painted and styled the built-in shelves. The largest, most tedious task was painting the brick fireplace, and it made the biggest visual difference in the room.
Between the two of us, the fireplace took about 14 hours of painting to complete. It was time-consuming, but worth every minute for the way it brightened the room and unified the space.
One of my favorite pieces in the room is the coffee table, a resin cast modeled after railroad ties from the Philippines. It has a lot of meaning for us, and it’s practical too—large enough that crumbs, water rings, and dust aren’t very noticeable.
My advice: if you prefer the look of painted brick, don’t be afraid to go for it. Painting brick can modernize a space and make it feel more open and contemporary. Our dog, Cozy, approves.
The transformation is dramatic. The painted brick, paired with the dark blue built-ins and warm wood accents, created a balanced, sophisticated palette. The dark blue provides depth and contrast against the bright fireplace, while the wood mantel and exposed beams tie the room together, lending warmth and character. The mix of textures—painted brick, wood grain, leather upholstery, and the substantial coffee table—keeps the room interesting and comfortable.
From a practical standpoint, painting brick does require preparation and patience. Proper cleaning, priming, and choosing the right type of paint are essential for a durable finish. When done correctly, painted brick can become a refined backdrop for your furnishings and accessories.
The personal touches in Jamie and Ehren’s space—handmade art, refinished metalwork, custom pillows, and curated decor—show how combining DIY efforts with a thoughtful color strategy can elevate a room. The result feels cohesive and intentional rather than overly styled.
This makeover also highlights a simple design lesson: a few well-chosen changes can have an outsized impact. Whether you’re updating built-ins with a bold hue, refreshing a fireplace with white paint, or introducing meaningful furniture pieces, each decision contributes to the overall personality of the room.
It came a long way, and we’re thrilled with the final result. We hardly remember the “before” picture anymore. Keep up the great work and thanks for checking this out! – Jamie & Ehren from Lawrence, Kansas
What stands out most in this project? For some it’s the bold contrast of the dark blue built-ins against the crisp white fireplace, for others it’s the warmth of the wood mantel and beams or the handsome coffee table. Which element would you pick as your favorite?