35 White Brick Fireplace Ideas for a More Modern, Updated Space

A painted white brick fireplace can complement many styles, from modern to midcentury to farmhouse or traditional. Painting the fireplace the same color as the walls can add texture to a monochromatic room or contrast with other colors from navy to black to gray to wood tones on the walls, floors, or built-ins.

Painting or whitewashing red brick can update a floor-to-ceiling fireplace or make an existing fireplace look less rustic. You can pair a white brick fireplace with tile, stone, painted wood, or textured finishes like shiplap to change the look. Whether you plan to paint your brick fireplace yourself or hire someone to do it for you, it's a simple fix that can transform your space without breaking the bank.

If you have a dated brick fireplace that is in need of a refresh, or are thinking about including a brick fireplace in your renovation plans, check out these white brick fireplace ideas in a range of styles for inspiration.

Built-In Firewood Niche

Painting a large brick fireplace white will keep it from dominating the room while retaining its texture and presence. Tina Ramchandani Creative painted this midcentury modern-style brick fireplace chalk white, allowing the dominant feature to feel more integrated in the living room.

The fireplace includes a separate niche to store firewood, and a ledge that serves as a bench as well as a display for books and objects. In the absence of a mantel, the wall above the firebox is styled with a trio of black-and-white framed photographs that fill the space instead.

Decorative Firewood Display

Painting an old red brick fireplace that is no longer in service or has seen better days will preserve its texture and charm while freshening up the look. This non-working London fireplace from Studio Peake is filled with decorative firewood for a cozy feel.

Modern Farmhouse Style

The white painted brick facade of this modern farmhouse living room fireplace from Michelle Berwick Design blends in with the shiplap above the mantel and the white walls and vaulted ceilings of the bright space while adding a touch of texture to the room.

All-White Glossy Paint

Before you paint your brick fireplace white, consider the best finish depending on the condition of the brick and the wall finishes. Leanne Ford Interiors gave this farmhouse living room a modern makeover with an all-white fireplace, painting the brick, small wood mantel, and paneled walls in a glossy white that reflects light and complements warm wood floors and leather accents.

Whitewashed Brick Wall

Whitewashing brick to allow some of the original color to peek through creates a much different effect than an all-over paint job.

Jessica Nelson Design whitewashed the exposed brick fireplace wall between this kitchen and living-dining room combo, then added a bright white painted wood mantel to give this space an updated modern farmhouse feel while preserving an original feature of the home.

Brick With Tile Inserts

Break up the monotony of an all-white brick fireplace facade with a pair of tile inserts that will give it a signature look. Michelle Berwick Design paired black square tiles with a chunky modern dark stained wood mantel that gives this downstairs fireplace presence without overwhelming the low-ceilinged space.

Arched Brick Opening

An arched opening adds a Mediterranean feel to a white brick fireplace. Leanne Ford Interiors painted the bricks on the interior of this decorative fireplace matte black to add depth and mimic the soot-stained interior of a wood-burning firebox. The inside is decorated with a simple stack of firewood with the short end facing outward.

Craftsman Style Fireplace

In this cozy Craftsman home living room from Velinda Hellen for Emily Henderson Design, the brick fireplace, and built-in bookcases were painted in the same shade of white for a crisp and clean feel. The uniform paint job modernizes the look of the space and creates a blank canvas for displaying objects and books.

Tip

If you are wondering if white fireplaces show grime and dirt more easily, yes they do. Be sure to clean your white brick fireplace regularly both inside and out to keep it looking fresh.

Stepped Brick Fireplace

White paint can transform an overbearing red brick fireplace into an architectural feature. Chango & Co. modernized the stepped, double-sided faded red brick fireplace in this open-plan space with a fresh coat of white paint.

The all-over white paint helps the large fireplace wall blend with the architecture of the room while making the renovated space feel fresh and new.

No Mantel Brick Fireplace

Keep your white brick fireplace wall mantel-free for a more minimalist feel. Ashley Montgomery Design added texture to a modern living room with a white-painted brick fireplace wall flanked with built-in shelving styled with objects.

Navy blue paint on the built-in base cabinets is a classic combination that works in modern farmhouse and coastal interiors.

Black and White Brick

Paint a brick fireplace in both black and white to highlight its forms. Leanne Ford Interiors painted the lower half and hearth jet black, and painted the chimney and sides white to add contrast and definition. Stacks of firewood on either side of the fireplace add a rustic feel.

Midcentury Modern Style

Sometimes a home renovation that involves removing walls and opening up spaces creates a situation where a central fireplace is no longer the focal point of a room.

Paint an off-center brick fireplace white so that it blends into a renovated open plan space. Cathie Hong Interiors painted this midcentury fireplace the same color as the walls, and added a pair of armchairs, a side table, and reading lamp to give it purpose.

Wood Mantel With Shelving

Mix a white brick fireplace surround with a wood mantel and bonus shelf space for a built-in look, like this space from Leanne Ford Interiors. Use it to display photographs, plants, or anything else you want to highlight.

Chunky Wood Mantel

Pair a white brick fireplace with a chunky modern wood mantel for a simple upgrade that works in modern or farmhouse spaces, like this living room from Kate Marker Interiors.

Light the Hearth

Place a floor lamp directly on the hearth of a non-working fireplace to light a small seating area in front of it, like this midcentury modern space from Cathie Hong Interiors that includes a classic Grasshopper lamp and a pair of Danish modern armchairs.

Gray Brick Makeover

Not all brick is created equal, and white paint is an easy way to erase the negative impact of ill-considered or low-quality materials without expensive renovations.

Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona painted her dated gray brick fireplace with a uniform coat of white that matches the walls, and the firebox in a saturated black for contrast, turning what was once an eyesore into a feature.

Floor-to-Ceiling Brick

Use white paint to make a tall floor-to-ceiling fireplace blend seamlessly in to an open-plan space. In this living room from Leanne Ford Interiors, white paint creates a textural look on the fireplace wall. A beige firebox echoes the beige paint that runs two-thirds up the wall for a cohesive feel.

Dark Wood Mantelpiece

Adding a light all-over wash of paint to the brick wall will allow some of the original color to show through, adding texture to the fireplace wall. This bedroom fireplacefrom Marie Flanigan Interiors mixes lightly whitewashed brick walls with a dark wood stain on the mantel, wood-clad slanted ceilings, and beams for a traditional feel.

White Wood Mantel

A painted white brick surround can change the look of a standard red brick fireplace in the blink of an eye. The white painted brick surround and wood mantel of this fireplace from Bria Hammel Interiors is simple and serene, with a touch of texture that suits the modern aesthetic of the space more than traditional red bricks would.

Outdoor Brick Fireplace

A semi-gloss white brick outdoor fireplace anchors the corner of this contemporary covered outdoor kitchen patio from Mary Patton Design. The white brick contrasts with the brown furniture and fencing of the semi-outdoor space, and an outdoor TV hung over the firebox in place of a mantel turns the space into an entertainment hub.

Mixed Materials Fireplace

White brick pairs easily with other finishes to create a neutral space that isn't flat or boring. Ashley Montgomery Design added texture to a modern living room with a white-painted brick fireplace wall.

The firebox features graphic black subway tile in a herringbone pattern with white grout. The fireplace built-ins are backed with vertical white shiplap to add in another finish that works seamlessly. A rustic stained wood mantel completes the transitional look of the space.

German Schmear Fireplace

A thick German schmear finish adds texture and warmth to this white brick fireplace from Kate Marker Interiors. The firebox is lined with terracotta-colored bricks for contrast, and a rustic wood mantel is styled with art, mirrors, and a mini plant to add warmth.

DIY White Brick Fireplace

Painting your fireplace white is a simple DIY project for those who are so inclined. This DIY white brick fireplace from A Beautiful Mess looks crisp against dark flooring and decorative ceiling beams for a modern budget-friendly refresh.

White Brick Fireplace Wall

Renovate a dated and domineering fireplace wall with a coat of white paint.

Leanne Ford Interiors updated the brick fireplace and matching brick fireplace wall of this '70s home living room with white paint that highlights the texture of the brick while modernizing the space.

Deep black paint highlights the arched shape of the firebox. The overall effect is minimalist and streamlined rather than dated and overbearing.

White Brick and Stucco

Combine white brick with stucco to create a sculptural look on an outdoor corner fireplace on a covered patio or deck, like this space from Fantastic Frank.

Double-Sided Brick

A floor-to-ceiling white brick fireplace facade gives this double-sided fireplace from Chango & Co. a streamlined modern look that is complemented by white shiplap walls and neutral furnishings for a simple but sophisticated feel.

Outdoor Kitchen Fireplace

Build an outdoor kitchen around a white brick freestanding fireplace, like this covered patio from Mindy Gayer Design Co. The firebox is finished with black herringbone tile and white grout for a graphic feel.

Semi-Whitewashed Brick

Chose a semi-whitewashed brick finish to add warmth to a modern farmhouse fireplace. Jessica Nelson Design let random red bricks shine through on this floor-to-ceiling fireplace, pairing it with a pale wood mantel and open shelving for a breezy look.

Dark Stained Wood Mantel

Lovely Indeed transformed an original 1950s brick fireplace that had grown dirty and dingy over time with a simple DIY paint job. A black fireplace screen that is screwed into the brick facade keeps it family-friendly.

Antique Mantel

Pair a whitewashed brick fireplace wall with an antique mantel for a high-contrast look that will give your space a sense of history, like this traditional bedroom from Marie Flanigan Interiors. A dramatic four-poster bed in the same dark stain as the fireplace mantel gives the room a cohesive feel.

Cream Brick Fireplace

For a warmer effect, swap white paint for a creamy shade. Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona beautified an awkward corner brick fireplace by drenching it in the same warm color as the walls, then accented the mantel and hearth with touches of gold.

Curved Brick Fireplace

Deemphasize the shape of a curved brick fireplace with a bump-out facade by painting it the same white color as the walls and styling it with objects, lighting, and a round wood-framed mirror, like this bright neutral space from Ashley Montgomery Design.

White Firebox Insert

For a seamless look, pair a painted white brick fireplace with a white firebox insert, like this simple DIY project from Lovely Etc. Add a dark stained mantel for contrast.

Brick, Wood, and Stone

Pair whitewashed brick with a stone ledge cap and a weathered wood mantel for a cozy feel, like this living room from Bria Hammel Interiors.

Black-and-White Fireplace

Mix a white painted brick surround with a white wood mantel, a black frame around the firebox, and a black subway tile hearth for a crisp black-and-white feel like this living room from Jessica Nelson Design.

Read the original article on The Spruce.