How do you brighten a brick fireplace?

Category: home and garden interior decorating
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Paint a red brick fireplace a deep shade of matte blue. When the first coat of paint dries, apply a color wash and then quickly wipe it off with a clean, dry towel. To make the wash mixture, mix one part blue paint and one part white paint with four parts of water. Continue to 5 of 33 below.



Keeping this in view, how do you lighten a brick fireplace?

How to Lighten the Color of Indoor Brick

  1. It is important to first clean the brick. Since brick is porous, it can absorb a lot of dirt.
  2. In a paint pan, add some paint. The paint color will depend on the color of brick.
  3. Add water, a little at a time, to the paint.
  4. Soak the rag in plain water and wring out.
  5. Wash each individual brick lightly with the rag.

Secondly, how do you brighten 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.

Similarly, how do I brighten my fireplace?

12 Simple Tricks to Amp up the Light for Your Dark Fireplace

  1. Paint a strong contrast color.
  2. Lay sparkling tile over rough red brick.
  3. Spray paint the brass lining for a new pop.
  4. Paint outdated brick with a wash of grey.
  5. Make your own wainscotting with scraps.
  6. Cover a dark surface with light pallet planks.

How can I modernize my brick fireplace?

Learning to DIY: How to Update a Fireplace on a Budget

  1. 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.
  2. Turn your brick to stone.
  3. Add a mantel.
  4. Think — and build — outside the box.
  5. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize.

33 Related Question Answers Found

What is whitewashing brick?

While painting over brick with 100 percent latex paint will give the brick a solid, opaque color, whitewashing mutes the brick's natural color with a translucent finish. The technique preserves the bricks' natural, random variations, depending on how much paint is applied and how each individual brick absorbs it.

How do you update a red brick fireplace?

Add a Mantel
Attach a mantel shelf or surround to your red brick fireplace to add a decorative update. Position a mantel shelf a few feet above your fireplace's firebox and affix it to the brick with concrete screws. A mantel surround encases the fireplace along the sides and top to inject color and visual appeal.

Can you change the color of brick?

If you want to update the look of a brick without exterior replacing it, change the color. Bricks can be either stained or painted. Paint often peels or chips and it lasts only a few years before you have to repaint the bricks. Stain is a longer-lasting solution to changing the color of the bricks.

Are brick fireplaces still popular?

Brick fireplaces are the most popular to replace. Henry says a quick and easy solution is to simply wrap the brick in either tile or wood, leaving the exposed brick for the firebox. “It's a more updated look that's one of the least expensive,” she says. AFTER: The stone tile runs wall to wall, creating a dramatic look.

How do you update a brick fireplace on a budget?


How to update a fireplace on a budget
  1. Scrub It Clean. If you have a wood-burning fireplace or a fireplace that was converted to gas at some point, you may have a lot of buildup on the walls of the fireplace.
  2. Replace the Screen.
  3. Paint the Doors.
  4. Tile or Paint the Fireplace Surround.
  5. Buy a New Mantle.
  6. More budget home improvement.

How do you lighten dark brick?

  1. Pressure wash the brick.
  2. Pour two gallons of water into a bucket.
  3. Saturate the sponge in the water and squeeze it out.
  4. Add more cement to the water if it does not lighten enough with the first batch.
  5. Paint the brick if the Portland cement does not create your desired result.

What color should I paint my mantel?

Many new mantels come unfinished so you can select the colour of paint or stain you want. Others may come in a bright white, or get finished in a generic bright white as they are installed. And while white certainly blends in with a lot of different colour schemes, it isn't always the best choice for your mantle.

How can I decorate my fireplace?

Painting over red brick will make your hearth feel more modern, or give a wood mantel a fresh coat in a new color. Your fireplace can wear both neutral and bright hues equally, so go ahead and try something new. Feel free to fill it with something other than logs, too.

What should I hang over my fireplace mantel?

15 Mantel Decor Ideas for Above Your Fireplace
  • Mirror. Image Provided by: New Darlings.
  • Art. You don't have to be a fine art connoisseur to feature art you love in your home, and above your mantel is the perfect place to show off your artistic taste.
  • Family Photos. Image Provided by: Pursuit of Handyness.
  • Television.
  • Clock.
  • Wreath.
  • Chalkboard.
  • Window Pane.

What color should I paint my brick fireplace?


Tan, beige, cream and light gray blend in for a natural look. Soft shades of black and gray work well with contemporary style rooms. Whitewashing, painting a solid light neutral color, or using a product such as Brick-Anew to create a “real brick” look will blend in with any decor.

Should I paint my fireplace the same color as the walls?

Painting it the same color as the wall that surrounds it helps it disappear into the room and allows other features to take center stage. In a room with blue-gray walls, paint the fireplace a sky blue shade. If the space has mint green walls, try a sage color for the fireplace.

How do you clean old bricks?

Mix equal parts vinegar and water and pour into a spray bottle. Spray on the bricks and let is sit for a few minutes. Use a sponge mop to clean the bricks. If the bricks are very dirty, use a nylon-bristled scrub brush and put some elbow grease into the scrubbing.

How do I make my existing fireplace bigger?

Locate the lintel of the fireplace -- a bar made of stone that supports the foundation. Proceed to knock down bricks with a hammer to make the opening of the fireplace bigger, leaving the lintel intact. Do not remove more than a few bricks on each side.

How do you clean red brick fireplace?

Cleaning Process:
  1. Put 4 cups of hot water in a spray bottle.
  2. Add 1/2 cup of Ammonia and 1/4 cup dishwashing liquid and swirl to mix.
  3. Spray a section of bricks with the cleaning solution.
  4. Scrub each brick with the nylon bristle brush.
  5. If the bricks are especially dirty, you may need to apply more pressure.

How do you make red bricks look new?


The first step to restoring any brick surface is to clean it of any dirt, debris, mold, algae and other natural elements. While you can use a normal spray nozzle on the end of a hose to provide a rough cleaning, the best option is to work with a power sprayer to deep-clean the surface of the brick.

How do you clean red brick?

Mix 1⁄2 c (120 mL) of mild laundry detergent with 1 oz (28 g) of regular table salt and add just enough water to create a paste. Use a clean, damp cloth to apply the paste to the red brick and let it sit for 15 minutes, or until dry. You can also use a mixture of salt and dish soap or borax and warm water.

How can I make my red brick fireplace look better?

Paint a red brick fireplace a deep shade of matte blue. When the first coat of paint dries, apply a color wash and then quickly wipe it off with a clean, dry towel. To make the wash mixture, mix one part blue paint and one part white paint with four parts of water.

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