How do you modernize an existing fireplace

Add a touch of paint. Gone are the days of design elements such as bold and bright red fireplaces and natural, oak-colored wall paneling and trim. … Turn your brick to stone. … Add a mantel. … Think — and build — outside the box. … Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize.

How do you update outdated bricks?

  1. Stain. If the color of the brick is your issue, staining is an option. …
  2. Paint. Painting brick has become incredibly popular these days, especially for brick fireplaces. …
  3. Whitewash. …
  4. German Schmear. …
  5. Final Thoughts.

What colors go well with red brick fireplace?

Orange/Red – Red brick with an orange tone looks best will a neutral wall color like a classic warm gray or tan. Also, add accents or furniture in pops of blue, sage green, orange, red, mint, or turquoise. You can balance it out with some cherry brown, warm gray or charcoal, or add contrast with black and white.

What can I cover my brick fireplace with?

  • Paint it. A coat of paint can work wonders when it comes to revamping your brick fireplace. …
  • Stain it. You could opt to stain the bricks of your fireplace instead of painting. …
  • Go for a limewash. …
  • Cover it in concrete. …
  • Stick to stucco. …
  • Add a stone veneer. …
  • Tile over it. …
  • Wow with wood.

How do you make an old fireplace look modern?

  1. Start by giving it a good clean. …
  2. Brush it up with paint. …
  3. Embrace the materials. …
  4. Whitewash it. …
  5. Tile in style. …
  6. Fit a floating beam. …
  7. Replace the mantelpiece. …
  8. Try a faux fire.

How do you make red brick look good?

  1. Clean it. “Giving it a good clean is definitely the cheapest way to improve its appearance,” says Rebecca Caldwell, director at Maytree Studios. …
  2. Re-grout it. …
  3. Reimagine it. …
  4. Bag it. …
  5. Enhance the surrounding features. …
  6. Pretty up the landscaping. …
  7. Conceal it. …
  8. Paint it.

What color should I paint my brick fireplace?

Neutral colours like white and gray are the most common colours for painting a brick fireplace, but this is a project where you can be creative. Bold and contrasting colours can make your fireplace a true focal point.

Can you put stone veneer over brick?

As mentioned above, veneer can certainly be installed over brick. However, it’s easiest to trowel mortar onto the brick and then apply the veneer. Veneer requires a good surface to stick to. A scratch coat is usually applied over the brick, which has a firm yet porous surface for veneer attachment.

How do you make bricks look modern?

Paint It. The surest way to modernize an exposed brick wall is to paint it. Whitewashing the brick can give your room a fresh, contemporary look that provides more design flexibility. But you may prefer a bright, vivid hue to create a strong accent wall that gives the room a thoroughly modern vibe.

Is a red brick fireplace outdated?

Red brick fireplaces used to be a staple in the 1970’s. Its warm tones complemented the flames, but not much else. If you want to update a red brick fireplace that has seen children and grandchildren grow up, try whitewashing it. Whitewashing brick turns it a pale-grey color that gives it a new, modern feel.

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Should I paint my old brick fireplace?

If it’s not completely dry, water will be trapped inside the brick. … PROS: An exceptionally talented painter can make an old brick wall or fireplace look more modern and in some interior spaces, painting dark bricks will brighten things up. In contrast to exterior brick, the process is easier, with less risk of damage.

Can you paint a red brick fireplace?

Is your old, red brick fireplace dragging the rest of your room down? Don’t despair — paint it. Covering your fireplace with a coat of paint can modernize its appearance and inject new life into your room. Select a paint color that enhances your room’s color palette and decor style.

How do you decorate red brick?

  1. Use open-backed shelving in front of it. Just because the wall is gorgeous by itself doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of its available square footage. …
  2. Lean large accents against it. …
  3. Add pops of color to it. …
  4. Add wood accents and greenery around it. …
  5. Paint it.

Should I whitewash brick fireplace?

However, once you paint the brick, it’s permanent. The paint can chip and it can be harder to clean. Depending on your style, it may be better to whitewash your exterior, so that the originality of the brick can still shine through, it will protect the brick, and it is easy to paint over.

Can you paint a brick fireplace?

Use the 2″ brush and ProClassic Interior Acrylic Latex Paint to paint the mortar along with any cracks and crevices of the brick. Then use the 6 ½” roller with ½” nap to paint the rest of the fireplace, ensuring that the paint is applied as evenly as possible. Tip: Always clean your brushes for future use.

Does painting brick fireplace devalue home?

Brick can be white washed, limed or stained. Doing something to the brick, if it benefits the room will never devalue the home.

Does painting brick devalue home?

Painting brick is a great way to upgrade curb appeal and increase your home’s value. Using a dark color like slate grey or even a classic white can create a major visual impact when painted correctly. Provides protection from the elements. … Paint can also help reduce fading and deterioration of your home exterior.

How do you make red bricks look new?

Faded red brick walls can be restored to a deeper, richer red color by cleaning the brick and applying a clear-coat product specifically designed for brick. Both indoor and outdoor red brick walls can benefit from this type of procedure. Clear-coat products add a gloss to the brick that helps deepen its color.

Can you stain red brick GREY?

To update or change the look of exterior red brick walls, stain the brick with an iron oxide-based brick tint or penetrating masonry stain. … Also, not all types of bricks accept the application of paint. Staining, on the other hand, can keep the look of a brick wall, while changing or reviving its color.

How do you update interior brick?

  1. Create Some Contrast In Textures. source. …
  2. Limewash It. source. …
  3. Add Windows. source. …
  4. Frame It. source. …
  5. Paint It Black. source. …
  6. Add a Mural. source. …
  7. Add a Pop of Color. source.

Can you put faux stone over brick fireplace?

If you like the look of stonework but would rather work with something easier to install and more budget friendly, consider faux stone veneer. It looks exactly like real stone but it’s 75% lighter. Unlike regular stone, you can apply stone veneer directly to most surfaces including drywall, concrete or brick.

How much does it cost to install stone veneer on a fireplace?

The average stone veneer fireplace costs $2,250. Most range from $1,880 to $2,630 but could cost up to $9,000 or more. Expect higher costs if the veneer spans the height of a wall or covers an area of at least 50 square feet. Fireplace size, design and quality of stone veneer are the biggest cost factors.

Can you put wood over a brick fireplace?

Masonry veneers are designed to follow a very straightforward installation process. … Typically, installing wood facing over masonry is a two-part process: First mount batts (thin wood boards) to the masonry with concrete screws and then install the wood facing over these with regular screws or nails.

How do you restore a red brick fireplace?

Vinegar and Water Vinegar is a slightly acidic mixture that is commonly used for cleaning bricks, stones and grouts. Use a spray bottle or sponge to apply a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water to the fireplace. After it sits for a few minutes giving the acid a chance to work, scrub and sponge the fireplace clean.

Can you put tile over brick fireplace?

Can you tile over a brick fireplace? Yes! Tiling over brick (even painted bricked!) is an easy DIY project as long as your brick is in good condition.

Will I regret painting my brick fireplace?

Although painting brick is doable — and sometimes even necessary (more on that later) — it’s not an easy DIY paint project, and it can be a huge risk to your biggest financial asset. … Although painted brick might be aesthetically pleasing today, it could be a big, fat regret in just a few years.

Why you shouldn't paint your brick fireplace?

The temperature inside your chimney is different than the temperature outside your chimney. This creates moisture buildup, like steam from a hot shower. The moisture goes into the bricks and escapes through the pores. If you have paint on the bricks, the moisture has nowhere to go.

Is it bad to paint a fireplace?

Ideally, you should wait a day or two between painting and using your fireplace. While you can paint both the exterior of your fireplace and your firebox, it’s important that you use the right types of paint and allow it to dry thoroughly before building a fire.

How easy is it to change a fireplace surround?

The fire surround is often the easiest place to start, as you don’t need to worry about gas pipes or brickwork. Here, some paint, new accessories or even a whole new surround can go a long way when you need an easy fireplace update.

Do you need special paint for fireplace?

Choose indoor, latex, heat-resistant paint (either flat, semigloss, or gloss) that’s rated to withstand temperatures generated by the fireplace (generally about 200°F). Remember that this type of paint is only appropriate for the exterior of a brick fireplace, not the interior firebox.

Can you use rustoleum high heat in a fireplace?

This durable semi-gloss finish gives metal surfaces a premium look along with excellent gloss and color retention after repeated heating. It withstands temperatures of up to 1200 degrees (648C). Ideal for barbeque grills, wood stoves, radiators, firepits, fireplace screens, automotive parts and more.

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