I need advice for updating a very large brick fireplace wall

Question

Our family room has a very large brick fireplace wall.  Does anyone have suggestions for updating it.  I have heard white wash and stone veneer.   I'm leaning more towards stone veneer but open to other suggestions.

Ginger Robinson · Answer

1. White washing would lighten up the area and stone veneer would give you the cabin, rustic look which is nice.
2. reclaimed wood would look good, 
Have you thought of refacing the lower part with wood and making the niches into nice storage. Redoing the fireplace cover with paint or replacing. And then do a different treatment to the upper half of the fireplace.
It's large enough that you could make a really neat large clock from reclaimed wood or pallets that would look amazing.

Lagree Wyndham · Answer

I just think the brick is to busy...its hard to see antlers mounted above. Easiest thing to do would be to paint it an accent color to match color of room to tone it down.

Lisa Wood · Answer

Paint will be the least expensive. Faux stone facing would really change the look. We used that in our home and used a faux stone siding that was super fast to install. You could also add wood accents, plaster it or sheet rock it. So many fun ideas. I love the 'bigness' of it! You can make a great statement for sure. http://www.remodelaholic.com/top-ten-fireplace-makeovers/

Janet Pizaro · Answer

See what this homeowner did. www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/painting-a-brick-fireplace-with-chalk-paint-2243817

Nananator · Answer

I had a similar situation with a fireplace in my living room. I put drywall (you can remove the brick or drywall over it)above the mantle and used grey marble tile on the bottom. I am not a fan of brick inside the home

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

I would drywall the upper portion and paint that the same colour as your wallls. Then see if that does the trick. If you still don't like the brick bottom portion, then you can resurface.

Charro · Answer

A very inexpensive fix would be to whitewash the brick. It would be perfect with your sofa style and it would give the brick an aged look.

Tracy P · Answer

I would probably paint it to minimize it because it's so large. Even beautiful stone might be too much.

Country Design Home · Answer

Hi Theress! What an amazing room! Obviously everyone agrees that the brown brick has to go. I agree that painting or white washing would be a more economical choice. Adding a stone could be quite pricey, I imagine, so at least with the paint, you haven't invested a ton and can decide if a light stone would give you the look you want. But, I notice that you have a white washed plank ceiling, along with the light carpet. So whitewashing that brick wall will give you another large white surface. So, I am thinking that you might consider one of the softer colors that are in your sofas? Still white-wash but not with white. That would tone down the brown brick but not make everything look the same.

Susie Lee · Answer

Beautiful room! I'd paint the mantel white and trim out the entire shape of the brick area with a chunky crown molding. I'd even frame out the two little coves with a fluted molding with rosettes at the corners so no mitering. Paint it all a creamy white to match the mantel. It will brighten up the space while keeping the integrity of the bricks. Add a mirror over the mantel or several rectangular mirrors, since it's such a wide mantel. If you still don't like it...paint the bricks!

Patty Loveless · Answer

I recently redid my daughters bedroom and painted over an old red brick fireplace and the results were amazing. I used Zissner Bullseye 123 Primer. It can be tinted. It even covered the black soot marks. For a light color brick. the primer sealer could be diluted with water to make the paint go farther. I did a second coat with the same white latex I had painted the wainscoting and it worked so well I wet on to paint the brick bar. A bit of time as you had to paint in the creases but used a roller for the rest. Well worth the effort.

Mary-Ann · Answer

I really like your room, just the way it is. I agree with Sue that you will end up with something bland and uninteresting if you paint your brick. It seems to me that you would then have to change your wall color and your carpeting to bring it together again. I would have a tendency to make some changes with the area above the mantle, before changing anything else.

PhilCo · Answer

It is obviously down to personal taste, but I would be more inclined to pull the carpet back and give all the brickwork an acid wash (there is special acid you can buy for cleaning brickwork) that would rejuvenate the whole wall, and get rid of years of grime that have accumulated on the brick. I would also sand your mantelpiece and give that a new look. It will be time consuming but not expensive.

Barb · Answer

I would not touch the brick. It is timeless and beautiful.

Valori Stoican · Answer

I've seen a white-wash applied to large brick areas like this that allow the variations in the brick to show through, keeping much of the character others have reservations about painting over.You can also apply it to the mantle, paint the mantle white in contrast, or replace it with a more organic natural wood tone piece...burlwood? The rest of the room appears light, from this picture. I would change out the vertical wood strips on the side walls to horrizontal rustic wood indoor siding now available in a variety that has an adhesive backing. I would stay light with the new walls and go dark wood on the floor. Add an area rug. That's what a lot of buyers are looking for. Dark wood floor, rustic touches, undamaged 'history', light and bright indoors (which usually means light walls if the floor is already dark). Just remember to explore what YOU like. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. also, if you do the above, you may also wish to replace the insert or paint the brass with heat-safe black paint.

Mickey Baron · Answer

I agree with PhilCo, Try a good cleaning, sand the mantel, pull the carpet back. Get down to basics & see how it looks. Go from there. Visit decorating sites, pinterest,... You may just want to go with the hardwood floor look, a large area rug for your furniture.. etc etc. Loose that ceiling fan. Replace it with an appropriate chandelier. Your room has TONS of potential. Do your homework. Good luck!

Cornelia Schott · Answer

We moved into our house a year ago and felt the fireplace was looking tired. I used Dawn dish soap and scrubbed the fireplace from top to bottom. This process removed years of dust and rejuvenated the fireplace. We may change the fireplace doors/screen, but for now it works. Good luck on your decision.

JOHNNY · Answer

Beauty I s in t he eye of the beholder ! brick can be acid washed, or veneer would change the look totally. Veneer is basically just place like tile w/ thin set. What I would suggest, is removal of the Mantel or doing I, and using Mirror's w/ flag stone. the mirror will give the illusion of a larger room, running it above the mental to the ceiling, also extending the mantel to the ends, also running electric in to the mantel so you have the ability to run lights, a lamp or x- mas on the mantel w/ no exposed cords.

Alicia Duncan · Answer

I would suggest either white-washing it or the other option would be to drywall it to the mantle, then tile below the mantle in a nice modern, soft tile of your choice.

Veronica Roach · Answer

Changing the fireplace doors to a more modern style & slipcover over the flowers would help - that 'old brass doors and flowery couch' look is 1975, generally a more sleek and simple look feels more current - not that we HAVE to be 'current' - there is room for everyone to do their own thing and have their own particular look, whatever YOU like is what matters !

Passionately Grounded · Answer

Personally, I would straight out paint it before I thought about the cost of veneer. With your pretty plaid and floral furniture - the many different brick colors just aren't jiving. I can't blow the photo up enough on my computer to see all of your colors you have going on - but thinking something like the Alabaster color from Sherwin Williams. Once you do that, anything you decorate your fireplace with will have new life. You will see it! It will be beautiful. Maybe even try doing the storage areas on the side a shade darker. Or add some pretty tile inside each of the storage openings for a whole different look? That would be beautiful because it would flank your actual fireplace (center)....I believe you will also fall in love with your mantel all over again - because it will become the focal point! It will be the biggest bang for your buck. THEN if you still don't love it - try your veneer idea. I tried doing mine in a white wash first - and I didn't like it. It didn't give it enough pop. I went for the full fledge white paint. I love it now!

Lesley · Answer

Painting it, either with just a light, diluted 'wash' or full paint would work wonders and be the cheapest option. This would be a dramatic transformation, you will be amazed. Try having a look around on this site or Pinterest to see how others have turned out. Then, if you still don't like it you could still go for the other options suggested such as dry walling over it or tiling it. As these ideas are expensive, I'd try a bit of paint first. I would go for a very neutral type of 'off white' but not magnolia (too yellowy). Something like light 'slaked lime' from Little Green company (but I don't know if that's available in the USA). And whatever you do, make sure you paint it in a dead flat matt, anything shiny will look cheap.

Roxann · Answer

It would be nice if you sealed the brick first then if anyone came along behind you or you don't like the look of the paint you put on, you could reverse it. Getting paint out of the holes is a long, painful process!! I have had to strip quite a few Craftsman fireplaces that someone decided needed 'updating'.

Theresa · Answer

We have decided after all the wonderful feedback to initially clean the fireplace well, and decorate it for the holidays.  Then we'll see after the holidays if we should tackle a major change or just dress it up with decor items.  Thank you.😊

Susan Rawlings · Answer

Hi Theresa, 
 
You may also want to consider a paint that is fire resistant. There are products on the market that can help you address the renovation and remodeling aspect of your project, while providing you with a fire-resistant treatment that looks awesome! Good luck.

S · Answer

You should read up on 'Lime wash' it may be what you're looking for.

Pam Lewandowski · Answer

This just popped up while I was looking at another mantle post. :) Good luck. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/how-i-made-a-beautiful-mantel-using-an-antique-wood-remnant-19826720...

Susie Lee · Answer

Hi!

By the looks of your furniture, you have a more traditional flare. I'd build an entire fireplace surround, including mantel. Make it ornate, with traditional fluted mouldings and perhaps some rosettes. I'd paint all the brick white except what might show inside of the fireplace surround. That I would leave natural. I'd add a massive mirror above it with some beveled glass edges. Maybe even an antique one and I'd trim it out in the matching fluted moulding all the way up as far as it goes. Good luck. Make sure you show us photos of your finished project!

Gail · Answer

i would definitely whitewash the bricks. I think it would go best with your style of furniture.

Nita Judhit DePaor · Answer

brick is at peak at the moment...nothing wrong with it...i would change fireplace door...paint shelve over mantel in black also...if its not hunting house i would take those antlers down and replace it with some metal art work...picture and flowers on shelve seams out of space....space looks huge...so smallish sofas doesn't appeal in there...you need something more heavy and big to fill empty space...l shaped sofa and some low chunky dark coffee table would fill it...as per colors to looking around all is greyish...so go for brighter sofa covers and cushions to break the sadness /give more cheerful look/lots of green tall plants also gives the life to room with high ceilings ...

I need advice for updating a very large brick fireplace wall

Painting a Brick Fireplace With Chalk Paint®

How I Made a Beautiful Mantel Using an Antique Wood Remnant

Suggested Project Book

30 Fabulous Wreath Ideas That Will Make Your Neighbors Smile

Other

More

I need advice for updating a very large brick fireplace wall

Painting a Brick Fireplace With Chalk Paint®

How I Made a Beautiful Mantel Using an Antique Wood Remnant

Suggested Project Book