The brick fireplace has served as a centerpiece in homes all over the world for centuries. In recent decades, however, we have had the technology to create fireplaces with other materials. As a result, an exposed brick fireplace can sometimes look a bit dated, but they’re also very common in older homes.
If you have a red brick fireplace in your home but don’t want to replace it, don’t worry. There are many different ways you can style the fireplace to make it look a bit more modern. You can even opt for a brick fireplace makeover if your home is structurally sound enough.
Modernize Your Brick Fireplaces Using These Tips
Here are some of the best ways to make an old brick fireplace look a bit more modern.
Add Tile
Putting tile over the top of your antique brick fireplace completely changes the way it looks. While this project is a bit more labor-intensive than some of the others on this list, it can have a very stylish result. There are so many different fireplace tile ideas to choose from, so you can really get creative and choose a pattern that reflects your taste. You can even choose to replace it with a wood mantel to make it more modern.
Simple neutral and square tiles are going to be the most timeless, but if you’re looking for something trendier, you can opt for hexagonal tiles or even herringbone tiles. You can also use pastel tiles to evoke a mid-century modern feel, or even black and white subway tiling for something a little edgier.
Paint Over The Brick
One of the easiest ways to make an existing fireplace look modern is to simply paint over the brick in a new color that you prefer. You’ll likely need to use several coats to get a bold, dark color. If your space is light and airy, you can opt for white or beige to match it and serve as a blank canvas. Alternatively, you can use a darker color like navy or grey to create a dramatic modern look.
If you really want to highlight the fireplace, you can use a brighter color like red, green, or light blue and have it serve as a pop of color in the room. If you opt to go this route, be sure that the fireplace color isn’t going to contrast with the rest of the space. Finally, you could opt for a German schmear painting style, which will leave some of the brick exposed while still giving an updated and modern look.
Change The Mantel
An easier way to modernize your brick fireplace is to change your fireplace surround or add a mantel. Some mantels are going to completely cover the brick-like a painted wood mantel, while others will just add a modern touch. This is a small change that is very easy to do on your own, but it can also dramatically impact the way that your fireplace looks. A new mantel decor also give you additional storage, which can be very convenient.
Cement Over Your Fireplace
If you really dislike the way your fireplace works and are willing to put in a bit of extra work to change it, cement may be the way to go. Although this is a more time-intensive renovation, you’ll get a smooth, neutral finish that will enable you to start from scratch with your interior design. Minimal Scandinavian-inspired aesthetics and a modern farmhouse have been very trendy lately, and a cement fireplace can go well with that. Once your fireplace has been cemented over, you can paint over it with any color or even add a mural if you want a bolder look.
Stucco Over Your Fireplace
Stucco is another way to make a dramatic change to your fireplace, but it’s much easier to DIY than cement. It’s also very affordable, and once the stucco has been fully set, you can paint over it in whatever color you would prefer. Stucco has a very neutral look that goes well with many different design styles.
Change Up Your Decor
If you don’t want to completely remodel or do a brick fireplace makeover, you can still make your brick fireplace look more modern by changing up the decor surrounding it. Consider the art that’s on the walls near your fireplace – bold, graphic prints can create a nice contrast with the more traditional feel of the brick fireplace. You can also use a variety of different fabrics and textures throughout the room to give it a more dynamic feel such as a stone veneer.
Conclusion
If you have an outdated brick fireplace at home, don’t worry – some small adjustments can make a huge difference when it comes to styling your space.
Whether it’s a small DIY project or a complete remodel, you have plenty of options when it comes to making your brick fireplace look a bit more modern.