You’re about to discover how transforming your brick fireplace with white paint can completely revolutionize your home’s aesthetic.
Whether you’re dealing with dated red brick or simply want a fresh modern look, white brick fireplaces create stunning focal points that work with virtually any design style.
From whitewashed finishes to bold painted statements, these 42 inspiring ideas will show you exactly how to update your fireplace and breathe new life into your space.
01. Whitewashed Brick in Your Home Office
Credit: Charbonneau Interiors
You’ll love how a whitewashed brick fireplace brings character to your home office without overwhelming the space.
This versatile finish works beautifully whether you’re going for traditional elegance or modern minimalism. The subtle texture complements ornate moldings and architectural details while maintaining a professional atmosphere that’s perfect for productive workdays.
02. Contemporary Outdoor Fireplace Design
Credit: Mary Patton Design
Transform your outdoor kitchen with a semi-gloss white brick fireplace that becomes the ultimate entertainment centerpiece.
The crisp white finish creates gorgeous contrast against darker furniture and natural wood fencing. You can even mount your TV right above the firebox instead of adding a traditional mantel, creating the perfect spot for hosting friends and family year-round.
03. White Grout for Cohesive Style
Credit: Ashley Montgomery Design
Here’s a clever trick: use white grout on your black firebox tiles to tie everything together seamlessly.
When you paint your brick surround white and add matching white grout, you create a cohesive look that feels intentional and polished. Style your mantel like a decorative shelf with plants, artwork, and meaningful objects that reflect your personality.
04. Curved Fireplace Transformation
Credit: Ashley Montgomery Design
Got a curved brick fireplace with an awkward bump-out that you’re not sure how to handle?
Paint it the same white as your walls to help it blend beautifully into your space. Add a round wood-framed mirror and thoughtful styling with decorative objects and lighting to draw attention to the décor rather than the unusual architecture.
05. Cozy Kitchen Fireplace
Credit: Britt Design Studio
A small white brick fireplace adds incredible warmth and charm to your eat-in kitchen area.
You don’t need a massive statement fireplace to create impact. Even a compact surround brings cozy vibes that make your kitchen feel like the heart of your home. Hang colorful artwork above to inject personality and visual interest into the space.
06. Mediterranean Arched Opening
Credit: Design byLeanne Ford Interiors/ Photo byReid Rolls
An arched opening instantly adds Mediterranean elegance to your white brick fireplace design.
Paint the interior bricks matte black to create dramatic depth and mimic the authentic look of a wood-burning firebox. Stack firewood inside with the cut ends facing outward for a simple yet sophisticated decorative touch that adds texture and warmth to your room.
07. Mixed Material Magic
Credit: Design byBria Hammel Interiors/ Photo bySpacecrafting
You’ll create incredible visual interest when you pair whitewashed brick with natural stone and weathered wood elements.
Add a stone ledge cap and a rustic wood mantel to your whitewashed brick fireplace for a layered, collected look. This combination of textures brings warmth and depth to your living room while maintaining that fresh, updated feel you’re after.
08. Stylish Fireplace Accessories
Credit: Britt Design Studio
Don’t underestimate how much the right fireplace accessories can elevate your white brick design.
An arched brass fire screen with bamboo detailing breaks up straight lines beautifully and adds a touch of glamour. These functional pieces become decorative elements that enhance your fireplace’s style while serving a practical purpose in your home.
09. Budget-Friendly DIY Makeover
Credit: A Beautiful Mess
Painting your brick fireplace white is one of the most impactful DIY projects you can tackle on a budget.
The crisp white finish looks absolutely stunning against dark hardwood floors and exposed ceiling beams. You’ll achieve a modern, high-end look without spending a fortune on expensive renovations, and the transformation happens in just a weekend.
10. Outdoor Kitchen Centerpiece
Credit: Design byMindy Gayer Design Co./ Photo by Vanessa Lentine
Build your dream outdoor kitchen around a striking white brick freestanding fireplace for year-round entertaining.
Finish the firebox with black herringbone tile and white grout to create a graphic, eye-catching focal point. This covered patio setup gives you the perfect excuse to spend more time outdoors while enjoying the cozy ambiance of a beautiful fireplace.
11. Warm Cream Brick Alternative
Credit: Ursula Carmona ofHome Made By Carmona
If stark white feels too cool for your taste, you’ll love how a creamy shade warms up your space.
Painting your awkward corner fireplace the same warm cream as your walls creates a cohesive, enveloping feel. Add gold accents on the mantel and hearth for touches of glamour that elevate the entire look without overwhelming your room.
12. Decorative Firewood Display
Credit: Studio Peake
Breathe new life into a non-working fireplace by painting it white and filling it with decorative firewood.
This approach preserves the charming texture of old brick while completely freshening up the appearance. The stacked wood adds warmth and visual interest, making your fireplace feel purposeful even when it’s no longer functional for actual fires.
13. Textured German Schmear Finish
Credit: Design byKate Marker Interiors/ Photo byStoffer Photography
A thick German schmear finish gives your white brick fireplace gorgeous texture and Old World charm.
Line your firebox with terracotta-colored bricks for beautiful contrast that adds warmth. Top it with a rustic wood mantel styled with mirrors, artwork, and greenery to create layers of visual interest that make your fireplace the star of the room.
14. Covering Dated Gray Brick
Credit: Ursula Carmona ofHome Made By Carmona
White paint is your secret weapon for transforming unfortunate brick choices from previous decades.
If you’re stuck with dated gray brick that’s dragging down your entire room, paint can turn that eyesore into a feature you’ll actually love. This budget-friendly solution beats expensive renovations while delivering dramatic results that completely change your space.
15. Seamless White Firebox Insert
Credit: Lovely Etc.
Create a cohesive, streamlined look by pairing your painted white brick with a matching white firebox insert.
This monochromatic approach feels fresh and modern, especially when you add a dark-stained wood mantel for contrast. It’s a simple DIY project that delivers professional-looking results without requiring advanced skills or expensive materials to complete.
16. Colorful Mantel Display
Credit: Calimia Home
Your white brick fireplace becomes the perfect backdrop for displaying colorful family photographs and cherished memories.
Mix black and white frames in various sizes for a gallery wall effect that feels curated and cohesive. The neutral white brick lets your photos take center stage while providing just enough texture to keep things visually interesting and dynamic.
17. Light Whitewash With Dark Wood
Credit: Design byMarie Flanigan Interiors/ Photo by Julie Soefer
Apply a light wash of white paint that lets some original brick color peek through for added dimension.
This technique creates beautiful texture on your bedroom fireplace wall that feels authentic and lived-in. Pair it with a dark wood-stained mantel and matching ceiling beams for a traditional look that’s warm, inviting, and perfectly balanced.
18. Craftsman Style Update
Credit: Velinda Hellen forEmily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Painting your Craftsman fireplace and built-in bookcases white creates a crisp, clean foundation for displaying your collections.
This uniform approach modernizes traditional architecture while giving you a blank canvas for books and decorative objects. Just remember that white fireplaces do show dirt more easily, so you’ll want to clean both inside and outside regularly to maintain that fresh appearance.
19. Tile Insert Accents
Credit: Michelle Berwick Design
Break up an all-white brick facade with striking tile inserts that give your fireplace a signature custom look.
Black square tiles paired with a chunky dark-stained wood mantel create dramatic contrast and visual weight. This approach works especially well in rooms with lower ceilings, adding presence without making the space feel cramped or overwhelming at all.
20. Sculptural Outdoor Design
Credit: Fantastic Frank
Combine white brick with stucco to create a sculptural, architectural statement on your covered patio.
This mixed-material approach works beautifully for outdoor corner fireplaces that need to stand out. The textural contrast between smooth stucco and dimensional brick adds visual interest while maintaining a cohesive white color palette that feels fresh and contemporary.
21. Glossy All-White Paint
Credit: Design byLeanne Ford Interiors/ Photo byReid Rolls
Consider using glossy white paint for a modern farmhouse look that feels polished and intentional.
Painting your brick, wood mantel, and paneled walls in the same high-gloss white creates a cohesive envelope of brightness. The shiny finish reflects light beautifully and makes your space feel larger while adding a contemporary edge to traditional architectural elements.
22. Classic Black and White Contrast
Credit: Jessica Nelson Design/Carina Skrobecki Photography
You can’t go wrong with timeless black and white contrast that feels crisp and sophisticated.
Combine your white painted brick surround with a white wood mantel, black firebox frame, and black subway tile hearth. This high-contrast approach creates clean lines and graphic appeal that works beautifully in both modern and traditional living room settings.
23. Full Fireplace Wall Renovation
Credit: Design byLeanne Ford Interiors/ Photo byErin Kelly
Transform a domineering 1970s brick fireplace wall with a simple coat of white paint for instant modernization.
White paint highlights the dimensional texture of brick while toning down its visual weight in your space. This approach is perfect when you want to keep original architectural features but need them to feel current and less overwhelming in your room.
24. Whitewashed Exposed Brick
Credit: Jessica Nelson Design/Carina Skrobecki Photography
Whitewashing creates a completely different effect than solid paint by letting original brick tones show through subtly.
This technique works beautifully on exposed brick fireplace walls between your kitchen and living areas. Add a bright white painted wood mantel for contrast, giving your open-concept space an updated modern farmhouse feel that’s warm and welcoming.
25. Off-Center Fireplace Solution
Credit: Design byCathie Hong Interiors/Margaret Austin Photo
When renovations leave your fireplace off-center, white paint helps it blend seamlessly into your new floor plan.
Painting an awkwardly placed brick fireplace white lets it recede visually in your midcentury modern space. This approach works when you want the fireplace to remain functional but don’t need it to be the dominant focal point in your renovated room.
26. Semi-Whitewashed Modern Farmhouse
Credit: Jessica Nelson Design/Carina Skrobecki Photography
Let random red bricks peek through your whitewash for a semi-finished look that adds character and warmth.
This technique works beautifully on floor-to-ceiling fireplaces in modern farmhouse spaces. Pair it with a pale wood mantel and open shelving for a breezy, casual feel that’s perfect for family-friendly living rooms where you want relaxed sophistication.
27. Refreshing a 1950s Original
Credit: Lovely Indeed
Give your dirty, dingy original 1950s brick fireplace new life with a straightforward DIY paint makeover.
White paint instantly freshens up vintage brick that’s accumulated decades of grime and wear. Add a black fireplace screen screwed directly into the brick facade for safety, making your newly refreshed fireplace both beautiful and family-friendly for everyday use.
28. Built-In Shelf Display
Credit: Design byLeanne Ford Interiors/ Photo byTessa Neustadt
Combine your white brick fireplace surround with a wood mantel that includes bonus shelf space above.
This built-in look gives you extra room for displaying family photos, plants, or decorative objects you want to highlight. The additional shelving makes your fireplace wall more functional while creating opportunities for styling that reflects your personal taste and interests.
29. Interior Firebox Painting
Credit: Calimia Home
Don’t forget to paint the brick inside your remodeled modern fireplace white for a completely cohesive appearance.
When the interior matches the exterior, you create a seamless look that feels intentional and polished. Place a woven basket filled with decorative items in the firebox to add warmth, texture, and visual interest even when you’re not using the fireplace.
30. Simple White Surround
Credit: Design byBria Hammel Interiors/ Photo bySpacecrafting
A painted white brick surround with a matching white wood mantel changes everything about a standard red brick fireplace.
This simple transformation happens quickly but delivers incredible impact in modern spaces. The subtle texture of painted brick adds just enough visual interest without competing with your minimalist aesthetic or clean-lined contemporary furniture and décor choices.
31. Dramatic Black and White Split
Credit: Design byLeanne Ford Interiors/ Photo byTessa Neustadt
Paint your brick fireplace in both black and white to create dramatic definition and highlight its architectural forms.
Try painting the lower half and hearth jet black while keeping the chimney and sides bright white. This high-contrast approach adds dimension and visual interest, especially when you stack firewood on either side for a rustic touch that softens the bold design.
32. Minimalist Mantel-Free Design
Credit: Ashley Montgomery Design
Skip the mantel entirely for a clean, minimalist aesthetic that lets your white brick fireplace wall shine.
This approach works beautifully in modern living rooms where you want architectural texture without traditional elements. Flank your fireplace with built-in shelving styled with carefully curated objects to create balance while maintaining that streamlined, contemporary feel you’re after.
33. Antique Mantel Pairing
Credit: Design byMarie Flanigan Interiors/ Photo by Julie Soefer
Create stunning high-contrast drama by pairing your whitewashed brick fireplace wall with a dark antique mantel.
This combination gives your traditional bedroom a sense of history and collected character. Echo the dark wood finish with a dramatic four-poster bed in the same stain to create cohesion throughout your space while the white brick keeps everything feeling fresh.
34. Neutral Mixed Materials
Credit: Ashley Montgomery Design
White brick pairs effortlessly with other neutral finishes to create layered texture that’s anything but flat or boring.
Combine painted white brick with natural wood tones, soft textiles, and varied materials for depth and dimension. This approach lets you build a neutral color palette that feels warm, inviting, and sophisticated while showcasing interesting textures throughout your modern living room.
35. Double-Sided Streamlined Look
Credit: Design byChango & Co./ Photo by Sarah Elliott
A floor-to-ceiling white brick facade gives your double-sided fireplace clean, streamlined appeal that works in modern spaces.
Pair it with white shiplap walls and neutral furnishings for a simple yet sophisticated aesthetic. The uniform white color palette creates visual calm while the dimensional brick texture adds just enough interest to keep your space from feeling too minimal or sterile.
36. Modern Farmhouse Texture
Credit: Michelle Berwick Design
White painted brick blends beautifully with shiplap and vaulted ceilings in your modern farmhouse living room.
The brick facade adds dimensional texture while maintaining the bright, airy feel of your space. This approach works perfectly when you want architectural interest without the visual weight of traditional red brick that might feel too rustic or dark for your aesthetic.
37. Round Mirror Modern Touch
Credit: Emily Henderson Design/ Photo bySara Lagorria-Tramp
Hang a round mirror with a black rim above your white brick fireplace for instant modern sophistication.
The circular shape softens the rectangular lines of brick while the black frame creates striking contrast. Style your elevated hearth with a sculptural black vase holding a dramatic branch to echo the mirror frame and complete the curated, contemporary look.
38. Stepped Brick Architectural Feature
Credit: Design byChango & Co./ Photo by Raquel Langworthy
White paint transforms an overbearing stepped red brick fireplace into an architectural feature you’ll actually love.
This works especially well for double-sided fireplaces in open-plan spaces where the structure is visible from multiple angles. Fresh white paint modernizes faded red brick instantly, helping the fireplace integrate beautifully into your contemporary décor rather than dominating the room.
39. Floor-to-Ceiling Textural Wall
Credit: Design byLeanne Ford Interiors/ Photo byErin Kelly
Use white paint to help a tall floor-to-ceiling fireplace blend seamlessly into your open-plan living area.
Paint the brick wall white while keeping the firebox in a complementary beige tone that echoes your wall color. This creates textural interest without overwhelming your space, letting the fireplace remain a feature without becoming the only thing you notice when entering the room.
40. Non-Working Fireplace Lighting
Credit: Design byCathie Hong Interiors/Margaret Austin Photo
Place a statement floor lamp directly on the hearth of your non-working fireplace to create an intimate seating area.
This approach turns your painted white brick fireplace into a functional design element even when it’s not operational. Add a classic midcentury lamp and a pair of vintage armchairs to create a cozy reading nook that makes the most of every inch.
41. Chunky Modern Mantel
Credit: Kate Marker Interiors
A chunky modern wood mantel paired with white brick creates a simple upgrade that works across multiple design styles.
This combination suits both contemporary and farmhouse aesthetics beautifully. The substantial wood mantel adds warmth and visual weight while the white brick keeps everything feeling fresh, creating perfect balance between modern and rustic elements in your living room.
42. Integrated Midcentury Design
Credit: Tina Ramchandani Creative
Painting a large brick fireplace chalk white prevents it from dominating your midcentury modern living room.
This approach helps oversized architectural features integrate more naturally into your space. The white finish lets your fireplace remain functional and present without overwhelming your carefully curated furniture and décor, creating the balanced, harmonious aesthetic you’re working to achieve.
Final Thoughts
You’ve just explored 42 incredible ways to transform your brick fireplace with white paint, from subtle whitewashing to bold painted statements.
Whether you’re updating a dated red brick eyesore or simply refreshing your space with a modern aesthetic, white brick fireplaces offer endless versatility. The best part is that most of these transformations are totally achievable as DIY weekend projects.
Choose the style that speaks to your personal taste and start planning your fireplace makeover today!
