The Best Paint Colours to Complement Almost Any Brick Fireplace
Partner post to How to Update Your Fireplace – 4 Fireplace Update Ideas
I’m sure that by now you all know that I LOVE to paint anything that men HATE to paint – in fact, I’m sure that I am the feature image on many a dartboard across the country.
And I’m not picking on men here, I swear. It’s just that in my decorating adventures I’ve found that men are the LEAST likely to want to paint brick or solid wood pieces – EVEN IF they are butt-ugly.
Does the thought of painting this make you break into a Richard Simmons style sweat?
So, this blog post is for the men (and the odd woman) who despise painted brick and are desperately hoping to find a paint colour for their walls that makes their brick fireplace look fabulous!
The first thing I’m going to say about these colour suggestions is that these are ONLY ‘guideline colours’
Guideline colours are colours that get you off on the right foot – without being definite. The reason why they can’t be definite is that there are SO many colours of brick out there that it would be IMPOSSIBLE to cover each and every one. I am my own personal hero, but I’m not THAT good.
So, find the brick that most looks like yours and check out the colour optioins, but ALSO take a look at the other photos/colours – you might be surprised to discover some colours hiding in your brick that you didn’t even know were there!
Let the Games Begin!!
The Best Wall Colours for a Red or Reddish/Orange Toned Brick Fireplace
This is probably one of the easier bricks to work with as it suits a variety of paint colours!
Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray
Are you feeling brave? Chelsea Gray is a beautiful rich charcoal gray. This gray will tie nicely into the mortar/grout of your brick and help to neutralize things. You can consider Chelsea Gray as an ‘accent wall’ colour and pair it with a neutral or use it on all of your walls.
Similar to Chelsea Gray: SW Classic French Gray / SW Dovetail / BM Amherst Gray
Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan
This is a fabulous neutral tan colour – it’s like slapping your nicest pair of khaki pants on the wall! Canvas Tan is slightly warm but overall is a relatively neutral tan paint colour.
Similar to Canvas Tan: SW Natural Tan / BM Grant Beige / BM Clay Beige / BM Bennington Gray
Benjamin Moore Simply White
With its fresh warm undertone. Simply White is a great way to create a fresh and bright look, without the starkness of a regular ‘white paint’.
Read more: Benjamin Moore 8 Best White Paint Colours
Want to accent your brick?
Check out: SW Sea Salt / SW Quietude / SW Silver Strand
Read more: The 8 Best Blue Green Paint Colours
Colours and undertones to avoid on your walls if you DON’T like your brick….
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If you want things to stay low contrast with the hopes that your brick doesn’t look any redder or orange than it already does then you’ll want to stay from greens and blues on your walls. Green and blue colours (and those undertones in neutrals) will accent the brick. This will bring out the colour not only in your brick but will enhance your paint colour as well
Read more: 4 Fireplace Update Ideas
The Best Paint Colours for a Brick Fireplace with Brown Tones
You can find brown tones in a LOT of brick blends. These blends can also include cream, red, purple, peach and more!
Benjamin Moore Kingsport Gray
Kingsport Gray is a medium toned greige that leans more brown than gray.
Similar to Kingsport Gray: SW Mega Greige / BM Alexandria Beige / BM Pashmina
Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
Accessible Beige is a beige that leans into gray a bit, so it doesn’t have a typical golden beige undertone. While it won’t necessarily look ‘exciting and stimulating’ it might help to tone down the pink and neutralize your space.
Similar to Accessible Beige: BM Edgecomb Gray / SW Shittake / SW Balanced Beige
Benjamin Moore White Down
White Down is a creamy warm off-white. Not so creamy that its overly yellow, but warm enough to shift a north facing room.
Similar to White Down: SW Creamy / SW White Duck
Want to ACCENT your brick?
Check out: SW Silver Strand / SW Magnetic Gray / BM Silver Marlin / BM Beach Glass
Read more: 8 Most Popular Blue Green Paint Colours
Paint colours and undertones to avoid on your walls…
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Please, for the love of God – avoid purple
The Best Paint Colours to Coordinate With a Pink / Salmon Toned Brick Fireplace
Of course, I’d love to show you some LOVELY images of rooms redecorated with a pink brick fireplace, however…they don’t exist. Either people don’t put them on the internet or they simply gave up and painted their brick white.
Both of the fireplaces above have pink tones
Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
With its beige base and slightly grayish / taupe undertones, Accessible Beige can work nicely with a pink toned fireplace. While it won’t necessarily look ‘exciting and stimulating’ it might help to tone down the pink and neutralize your space.
Similar to Accessible Beige: BM Clay Beige / BM Edgecomb Gray
Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
Agreeable Gray is a light greige that leans MORE gray than beige.
Similar to Agreeable Gray: SW Anew Gray / BM Cumulus Cloud / BM Collingwood
Benjamin Moore Whitall Brown
For a look that’s more rich and exciting, consider Whitall Brown as a feature wall colour. When paired with a neutral toned cream, Whitall Brown will add depth to your space and sit nicely with your pinkish fireplace. Or be brave and paint the whole damn room!
Similar to Whitall Brown: BM Brown Horse / BM Willow
This E-design client wanted to show off the beautiful terra cotta colour of her brick (orange/pink)!
Want to accent your brick?
Check out: SW Quietude / BM Silver Marlin / BM Revere Pewter (subtle)
Read more: Colour Review, Revere Pewter vs Collonade Gray
Colours and undertones to avoid on your walls if you DON’T like your brick…
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Because that pink is hiding in there, you need to avoid greens and blues. Greens and blues can accent the pink and bring it out in its full glory
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Unless it’s in a baby’s room, pink and yellow are a completely nauseating combo
The Best Paint Colours to Coordinate with a Purple / Red Brick
I love this brick as it’s rich, stately and makes such a fabulous focal point.
I apologize for the lack of light in this photo, I do rely on clients to send me their photos and interiors can be tricky!
Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige
This is a beige with a solid taupe/greige undertone, so it has a warmth that is WELL-grounded.
Similar to the above: SW Accessible Beige / SW Anew Gray / SW Loggia
Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray
Gauntlet Gray is a gray paint colour with a solid brown/taupe base.
Similar to Gauntlet Gray: BM Chelsea Gray / BM Metropolis / SW Dovetail
Want to accent your brick?
Check out: SW Magnetic Gray / SW Comfort Gray / Gray Owl
Colours and undertones to avoid on your walls…
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True blue never works
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Green can work if you are looking to further enhance the tones of this brick. However, if you want to keep things on the down-low, then refer to the wall colours listed above
The Best Paint Colours to Coordinate with a Yellow and Orange Brick Fireplace
This brick is not as common as others (thank goodness) because it can be challenging to update – and the more yellow it is, the more challenging it is. If you want me to be brutally honest with you, this is one brick that I would paint. You could paint the walls and say ‘Well it looks better than it used to…’ or you could just paint the brick and say to yourself, ‘NOW I can decorate my room the way I WANT to without being held hostage by this damn brick!’
If you don’t believe me, then here are a few colour thoughts for you…
Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray
You’ll be living on the wild side with this one! Yellow and gray is a lovely colour combo in the design world! Chelsea Gray is a lovely rich toned charcoal gray that will tap nicely into the grout of your brick fireplace, bringing a sense of calm and balance to the room.
Similar to Chelsea Gray: SW Classic French Gray / SW Dovetail / BM Amherst Gray
Benjamin Moore Whitall Brown
If I were dealing with a predominantly yellow brick, this is the ONE colour that I could live with on my walls. Whitall Brown is chocolate brown that is neutral; meaning that it’s not overly orange toned nor too gray.
Similar to Whitall Brown: BM Brown Horse / BM Willow
Colours and undertones to avoid on your walls…
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Opposites will attract. So, avoid greens and blues if you are hoping to keep this colour as soft and gentle looking as possible. By pairing an orange/yellow toned brick with cooler tones, you will bring out the colour of it which might be a good thing – but usually isn’t
- Pink tones are DEFINITELY not good as pink and yellow/orange are pretty gross together (not including kids rooms) and I would also avoid purple
Need help picking the right colour?
Check out my Online Consulting for your own personal colour / decorating consultation
avril carpenter says
October 10, 2014 at 12:14 am“I am my own personal hero, but I’m not THAT good.” Ha ha ha. Kylie – your website has be A.W.E.S.O.M.E!!! I’m so grateful to have stumbled across your site via a google search for ‘what paint colour works with brick?’ Yours was the only website that had the balls to make a choice and put your opinion out there, and provide lovely pictures and samples. You’ve made what might have been a tricky decision very easy. THANK YOU x Love etc, Avril
Kylie Mawdsley says
October 10, 2014 at 8:13 amOh Avril, what a lovely email to get!! I’m so glad you found some help with these ideas – if not, send me a photo and I can give you some quick thoughts 🙂
Hugs, Kylie
Mindy says
December 13, 2014 at 10:04 pmI came across your site while searching for suggestions on what color to paint my bathroom that has an exposed multi-color brick chimney. I was really frustrated until I came across your page. I love that you suggested actual paint color instead of just vaguely suggesting “a color in a certain tone”, which is what all other sites did. It made the process of picking out the wall color so easy! I made the mistake of painting the room with a taupe-pink color, and now the bathroom looks like a disaster! I can’t wait to repainted the walls with one of the colors you suggested! Thanks a billion!
Kylie Mawdsley says
January 6, 2015 at 9:40 amHi Mindy, thank you SO much for letting me know that! I love when my advice really resonates with someone and helps them – I know picking colours can be hard!
Hope it’s all worked out for you!
~Kylie
Kelsey says
January 10, 2015 at 6:47 amThanks ever so much, Kylie! Like the others said, it’s so helpful to come across an expert who will really put forward helpful advice, instead of vague notions… My husband and I recently bought our first home. It’s a brick ranch from the 50’s, and we’ve completely gutted it. The only “native” element that remains is an exposed brick wall in what will be our dining room. We love it, but I have been having a rough time trying to figure out what colors will work best in there! Thanks to your tips, I am on my way. Now I just have to go stare at that wall to confirm my suspicion that it’s pink brick.
Kylie Mawdsley says
January 10, 2015 at 7:34 pmHey Kelsey! I’m SO glad you’ve found some value in my site – yay! Send me a photo of your fireplace and I’ll let you know what you’re dealing with so you can start off on the right foot([email protected])
Also, I do affordable Online Consulting so if you are having any troubles just holler (I can give you 3 colour options/ideas for $60). But regardless, at least me telling you what brick you have will get you off and running 🙂
Chat soon ~Kylie
Jeanne says
February 11, 2015 at 11:59 pmOur brick fireplace is great but I didn’t like the oak mantle above it ~ I thought it conflicted with the brick ~ until I spotted one of your pictures that looks identical. Thanks for showing how brick fireplaces can hold their own, and look great!
margaret van loy says
March 10, 2015 at 6:45 amI am struggling right now with what to do with my oak kitchen cabinets. Updated floors to an array of grays, beige, brown, off white slate look, with just a hind of tan. Looks great with my Winners quaint retreat table, chairs and buffet. Just enough colour to tie everything together. However, what colour to put on those walls with lurking oak cabinets. Colour must also flow into living room and hall. Floor in living room is a bit of an orangey oak in the right light as well. Throws pink on wall so have to be careful of beiges. Ughh!
Kylie Mawdsley says
March 27, 2015 at 6:36 pmHi Margaret! With questions like yours that aren’t quite straight forward I refer readers to my Online Consulting so that a) I can see photos of your space and b) ask some important questions with regard to exposure, personal tastes, etc… Any suggestions I would have wouldn’t be beneficial enough as there are so many things to take into consideration. http://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
Thank you for asking and hope to hear from you!
~Kylie
Nicole says
June 20, 2015 at 2:08 pmHi Kylie
Thank you for the great information on coordinating paint colors for pinkish/ red brick fireplaces. We are purchasing a house with this type of fireplace. Just wondering could I paint the wall with the fireplace a darker brown to make a focus wall and the other walls a lighter color. Not sure how it would look.
Thank you
Nicole
Kylie Mawdsley says
July 12, 2015 at 9:50 pmHi Nicole, you bet you can! Now stay away from the orange brown and stick with the more neutral ones (I love Whitall myself). Otherwise check out a dark charcoal like Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray which will neutralize/tap into the mortar. And yes, with the other walls a lighter colour you’ll be good to go!
~Kylie
Laura says
October 16, 2015 at 6:18 amHi Kylie,
Thank you for this awesome article. I need some help with my living room!
I have a red brick fire place and white chair rail and crown molding. I would like some orange in the room but I’m not sure where to pain it. I tried an accent wall on the same wall as the fire place and didn’t like it. Should it be on the opposing wall to the fire place? Also what are your thoughts on two-tone above and below the chair rail? Is that too much? It feels like this room has too many things going on.
Thanks!
Kylie Mawdsley says
October 19, 2015 at 4:12 pmHi Laura! Yes, orange on the fireplace wall would likely be overwhelming. Try to balance things out by choosing a wall that is opposite your brick. And definitely don’t do a 2 tone. It can work in some homes, but the popular thing to do is ‘simplify’ with 1 colour above and below the chair rail. Have you thought about keeping the walls simple and just adding orange via accents (toss cushions, artwork,etc…)?
~Kylie
Jen says
October 19, 2015 at 4:27 pmThis is so great! I have an old brick fireplace and tried whitewashing and grey paint on a section that will be removed soon, and I did not like it, but now I feel I can find a paint color that will actually look good with my existing brick! One question, I think mine falls more in the pink/salmon category, but I love that Sienna color for the wall opposite the fireplace wall (accent wall). Sienna was listed in the red/orange fireplace section, but do you think that would work for a more pinkish fireplace as well, or would it be too much? Thanks again for all this great information on paint colors!
-Jen
Kylie Mawdsley says
October 19, 2015 at 5:04 pmHi Jen! You caught me during my ‘reply to comments’ time – so good timing! Yes, I think Sienna could work! Fresh Clay is also a similar look, just slightly lighter and a tiny bit more pinkish (without being pink)…
Now I’m not totally sure just what your brick looks like, but if you’re in the States you can also check out BM Beaujolais which has a bit more of a brown base while still being warm and rich looking (a bit more dense feeling and less ‘colourful’.) If all else fails, check out my Online Consulting as I have some really affordable Paint Packages where you can send me photos and we can have some fun~! http://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Summer Tallant says
April 6, 2016 at 4:30 amNot only are you extremely talented with a ridiculously keen eye, you have such a knack for explaining things! You really allow your readers to understand the entire concept.
Ive been having the hardest time picking a paint colore for our house. I’ve always gone to blue greys, like SW Cloud grey, Silver point and because of your revue Repose grey. I have white shaker cabinets and for some reason I just can’t get the look I want. This is so not like me. After reading (pretty much your whole web page) I think my problem might be my floor. Our house came with brick tile floors. Our entire first floor. I really do love them but I can’t get that neutral look like I had in my last house. It just seems very busy and sometimes kind of country.
After reading this blog I’m going back to the store to try some other greys or whites that don’t have a blue under tone. Wish me luck! Haha.
So happy I’ve found this site! Your great!
Cara L Shelton says
September 10, 2016 at 9:36 amOh, I need to figure out how to send you a picture of my floor-to-ceiling red brick fireplace with its surrounding sage green walls. (I think the color is Scotland Road, actually.) It looks fabulous – honestly!
Now if I can possibly get the hubby to replace the too-small shiny oak mantel with something more….hefty and rustic…I will be thrilled! 🙂 (It’s always something, right?)
Thanks for some great ideas for next time.
Kylie Mawdsley says
September 10, 2016 at 5:26 pmI bet it looks BEAUTIFUL! I find with hubbys that sometimes it’s ‘one thing at a time’, whereas I’m more inclined to do EVERYthing and all in the same afternoon!
Chat soon 🙂
Mary Ann says
July 4, 2017 at 8:31 amHi Kylie,
I am getting ready to paint my family room which has a large bick fireplace that covers one end of the room with a large barn beam mantle and barn wood beams that run across the room. The brick is mostly red but also has some white, black gold colors with dark gray grout. Which color scheme do you think I should use?
Kylie Mawdsley says
July 29, 2017 at 5:20 pmHi Mary Ann, thank you for your note! Due to the amount of questions/emails I get in a day, I do need to refer personal questions to my E-design. I try to give as much free info as I can via my blog posts, but if that doesn’t do the trick, sometimes it’s time for a closer look! If that interests you, here is the link to that section of my blog 🙂 https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Jenn says
August 31, 2017 at 8:30 amKylie- This is such a helpful post and I see it referenced in many places. Could you possibly recommend a lighter gray (than Chelsea Gray) or a greige that would neutralize the orangey tones?
I have a large stone fireplace with gray and brown rock and my current green paint is really bringing out the browns and oranges in the stone. I’d prefer to bring out the grays of the stone.
Thank you so much…just subscribed on youtube.
KylieMawdsley says
September 2, 2017 at 7:15 pmHi Jenn, thank you for the note! Unfortunately, due to the amount of emails/questions I get in a day, I do need to refer most personal ones to my e-design, particularly when I need to see what colours are in the stones. It’s affordable and fun and this way I can spend some quality time with your home (via photos) and you (via the questionnaire) and give you the best solutions possible! If that interests you at all, the link is here 🙂 https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
Thank you!
~Kylie
Another Kylie says
December 27, 2017 at 9:46 pmHi Kylie! I see your color combos all over Pinterest and I just came across this post and you cover salmon bricks! Now your my hero! I will be painting our living room with a full wall red-pink-salmon bricks soon. Originally I was planning on grey washing it. But upon closer inspection I realized it looks pretty good with our chocolate brown couch and dark red accents. So we’re keeping it! I was thinking dark brown walls and probably light brown walls too. It’s a big room. But I’m so glad to see the brown you suggested because that’s what I pictured. And I will have to send you before and after pictures for your pink brick collection. Right now the walls are peach!! Can’t wait to fix it!
KylieMawdsley says
December 28, 2017 at 3:46 pmKylie, I can’t WAIT to see it and I’m so glad you found the info helpful!!!
Pat M says
January 29, 2018 at 7:35 amGreat info! Just stripped “yellowed” shellac off my white brick fireplace and love the improvement. Painted my antique bronze screen to a flat black and it’s such and improvement. Now, if I could just figure out the mantle situation that will work with my oak picture frame paneling I’d be able to wrap this project up! I’d love something more rustic, but not sure how it would look.
😐
Laurie Ebers says
May 8, 2018 at 9:00 pmWow Kylie, you are a wealth of information! So happy to come across your blog 😊 Out of curiosity, how do you feel about a fireplace painted the same color as the walls (sw Collingwood)? I have a small living room and would like to open up the space …. and cover that yellow brick 😝. Do you think it would be tacky of me to paint the same color as my kitchen two tone cabinets instead (SW peppercorn /BMsilver satin). I want to limit the variety of colors in this small space!!
Best,
Laurie
KylieMawdsley says
May 10, 2018 at 7:39 amHi Laurie! I don’t know that I’d do the Collingwood on both, although you can shift the look slightly just via the change in sheens from the paints, I like the idea of the Silver Satin better 🙂
Christie says
August 17, 2018 at 8:21 pmSo, when I come across this post on pinterest there is a cover photo not embedded in the most, of a red-pink fireplace with a wood mantel and a star on the top. There’s white bead board to each side and a lovely neutral tan on top. Any idea what the tan color might be?