35 Captivating Brick Fireplace Ideas with Timeless Charm

Having a fireplace is a luxury that offers endless possibilities for creating a comfortable and stylish sanctuary in your home. However, an existing brick fireplace can sometimes feel dated or overwhelming to decorate. Fear not!

Here are some of my favorite brick fireplace ideas to help you transform this classic feature into a cozy, functional, and visually stunning retreat.

A Fresh Coat for a Fresh Look

Okay, so maybe the classic red brick look isn’t your thing. I totally get it! It might not be the vibe that works in your living room, or maybe you’re just ready to try something a little different.

Whatever the reason, giving that brick fireplace a coat of white or even gray paint is an amazing way to mix things up. The painted brick can blend seamlessly with other wall finishes in a modern space.

Plus, you can pair it with contemporary decor to pull together a curated and elegant open-plan living area.

A whitewashed brick fireplace is such a popular choice, and it looks fantastic in modern living spaces. [From: the ranch uncommon]

brown armchairs in front of white painted brick fireplace — Little pops of color are a great way to brighten up the room against a painted white brick fireplace. [From Southern Living]

This airy, double-height living room feels so grand with its gray painted fireplace.

green painted brick in bright living room — I love this gorgeous green painted brick in an earthy, bright living room. [From Maisonre Home + Design]

floor to ceiling black brick fireplace — Painting your fireplace one solid color creates such a bold contrast for the furniture. [From Brick Anew]

A polished contemporary living room with a dark painted brick fireplace is so sleek. [From: REHAU Cabinet Doors]

teal painted fireplace in living room — Painting the brick blue might have seemed like a risk, but it definitely paid off here! [From Lovely etc.]

black painted brick fireplace setting — The black painted brick really complements the modern black marble coffee table. [From The Inspiring Investment]

The fireplace is the star of the show in this small English cottage style living room. [From: reDesign home]

Fake It ‘Til You Make It

When it comes to brick fireplace ideas, let’s talk about a little design secret: the faux fireplace. It’s a lifesaver when you want to add a cozy moment to a room but don’t have the budget or need for the real thing!

You can use brick to create some really beautiful fake fireplace surrounds and settings. You can even use faux brick if you really want to lean into the whole faux fireplace feel, but that’s totally up to you.

brick faux fireplace mantel in rustic living room — I love how this faux mantel creates a perfect focal point for the whole room. [From The Honeycomb Home]

faux brick fireplace with basket of blankets in surround — This faux-brick fireplace was made with modified fake brick paneling. So clever! [From Woodshop Diaries]

brick faux fireplace with wooden mantel — The wooden mantel perfectly ties the room together with the brick faux fireplace as the centerpiece. [From Life on Summerlin]

shiplap and brick faux fireplace setting — This shiplap and brick fireplace is just leaning into its rustic fall decor potential. [From All Things with Purpose]

faux brick german schmear fireplace — Faux brick fireplace backing that has a German schmear finish. [From Addicted 2 DIY]

blue painted brick faux fireplace with white mantel — The blue painted brick really makes this fireplace pop as the room’s focal point. [From Houzz]

The Best of Both Worlds

What if you can’t decide between raw brick and a painted finish? Good news! You don’t have to. If you’re looking for a comfortable middle ground when you’re exploring brick fireplace ideas, the white-washed look is for you!

Adding a German Schmear, also known as a mortar wash, to the brick can bring a room together for a rustic farmhouse look. Or you can use a whitewashing technique and have total control over how much of the red brick gets covered in the end.

whitewashed fireplace in living room with tv mounted over mantel — The wood mantel blends so well with the whitewashed raw brick here. [From Pinterest]

limestone wash on brick fireplace — A limestone wash is a great alternative if you want something a little different from a classic whitewash. [From Bless’er House]

german schmear fireplace with matching kitchen backsplash — The German Schmear extends right into the kitchen backsplash to match the fireplace. So smart! [From Jenn Todryk, @theramblingredhead]

overgrouted brick fireplace — A heavy layer of grout creates a fantastic whitewashed look on this fireplace. [From Oakstone Homes]

german schmear fireplace with pumpkins and fire lit — German schmear adds a heavier whitewashed look to this fireplace, complete with festive decorations. [From Sweat Tea Tribe]

whitewashed brick fireplace with raw brick around fireplace insert — Leaving the brick outline raw around the firebox adds some great variety. [From Grey House Haven]

mortar wash german schmear fireplace — A mortar wash added such a nice effect to this Christmas mantel setup. [From Craftivity Designs]

whitewash brick fireplace setting — Heavy white grouting on the brick achieved the perfect look for this fireplace makeover. [From Sprucing Up Mamahood]

Classic Red Brick Charm

There’s just something about a classic red brick fireplace, right? It instantly becomes the star of the show in any room it’s in, no matter the style.

When you have a brick fireplace, it’s only natural that it becomes an even more eye-catching feature in a modern living space filled with neutral colors and polished finishes.

You can bring a different material and aesthetic to the contemporary space by pairing these redbrick fireplaces with rugged wooden mantles and smart decorative pieces.

I’ve also found that repeating the brick finish somewhere else in the room really helps to accent the beauty of the fireplace and gives it a more graceful presence.

The colors in this modern living room really pop against the beautiful brick fireplace.

This modern beach style living room is so light-filled and beautiful with its fabulous brick fireplace. [From: Collins Design & Development]

nautical living room with red brick fireplace — A little peek of red brick with a white mantel totally completes the nautical theme of this room. [From Bluegrass Hill]

This traditional bedroom is picture-perfect with its wooden beams, pastel hues, and stylish brick fireplace. [From: Gabriel Builders]

double-side red brick fireplace — You can expand your fireplace into a double-sided one so you can use it in more than one room. What a great idea! [From Airoom Architects]

red brick fireplace in living room with leather couches — Originally, the owner was going to paint the brick white but decided to keep the raw brick instead. [From Domino]

red brick fireplace in updated open floorplan — The red brick pattern of this fireplace matches the accent wall in the kitchen. [From Gambrick]

This modern beach style living room is just gorgeous in white with a blue carpet and brick fireplace. [From: Norman Design Group]

A Style for Every Space

One of the best things about a brick fireplace? It’s a total chameleon. Seriously, it works with pretty much any style you can dream up for your living room or dining space.

You can enhance its visual appeal by adding a large piece of wall art right above the mantle while keeping the rest of it clean and uncluttered. Styles like modern eclectic, shabby chic, tropical, and farmhouse all work beautifully with a brick fireplace.

Of course, styles like rustic and farmhouse are natural fits for this timeless feature. It’s really the decorative pieces and accents around the fireplace that set its style.