The Best Paint Colours to Update and COORDINATE with Your Brick Fireplace
Partner post to How to Update Your Fireplace – 4 Fireplace Update Ideas
If you’ve been following my blog for a while (bless your lil’ heart) you’ll know that I LOVE to paint anything that men HATE to paint -brick, wood, you name it and I’ll paint it (including my body). In fact, I’m sure that I am the featured 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.
BTW – the font sizes are mixed up on this post – I’m trying to fix it (but am mildly stumped).
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. There are SO many colours of brick out there, it would be IMPOSSIBLE to cover each and every one. I am my own personal hero, but I’m not THAT good.
What I’ve done instead is given you one main colour to explore and then other colours that are similar, but perhaps have different undertones and depths, so you have a range to look through.
Please note these 2 important details:
- These colour suggestions are NOT for exteriors. Paint colours can look CONSIDERABLY different on an exterior compared to the interior
- MOST of these suggestions are with ‘softening and blending’ in mind, rather than accenting and highlighting – I can only fit SO much into one blog post!
Let the games begin!!
The Best Wall Colours for a Red or Red-Orange Brick Fireplace
This is one of the easier bricks as it suits a variety of paint colours!
Sherwin Williams Dovetail SW 7018
Are you feeling brave? Dovetail is a beautiful, medium-toned warm gray. It can be a subtle complement to your brick as it isn’t colourful. You can consider Dovetail as an ‘accent wall’ colour and pair it with a light neutral or use it on ALL of your walls.
Paint colours similar to Dovetail: SW Classic French Gray / BM Chelsea Gray / BM Metropolis
Sherwin Williams Natural Tan SW 7567
This is a fabulous neutral tan colour – it’s like slapping your nicest pair of khaki pants on the wall! SW Natural Tan is slightly warm but is overall, a relatively neutral tan paint colour.
Paint colours similar to Natural Tan: SW Canvas Tan / SW Neutral Ground / SW Accessible Beige
Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117
With its fresh warm undertone, Simply White is a great way to create a fresh and bright look, without the starkness of regular white paint.
Paint colours similar to Simply White: SW Pure White / BM White Dove
Sherwin Williams Web Gray SW 7075
If you want to have a bit more fun, Web Gray is a beautiful way to contrast with your brick and add some energy to the room. I recommend partnered it with a soft white or off-white paint colour.
Paint colours similar to Web Gray: BM Trout Gray / BM Anchor Gray
Kylie M E-Design
Colours and undertones to avoid on your walls if you DON’T like your red-orange brick…
If you want things to stay low contrast with the hopes that your brick doesn’t look any redder or more 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. Cool paint colours will bring out the colour not only in your brick, but the brick 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 in a LOT of brick blends. These blends can also include cream, red, purple, peach and more!
Benjamin Moore Kingsport Gray HC-86
Kingsport Gray is a medium-toned greige that leans more brown than gray.
Paint colours similar to Kingsport Gray: SW Mega Greige / BM Alexandria Beige / BM Pashmina
Benjamin Moore Muslin OC-12
Muslin is a soft, gentle beige with very flexible undertones that suit MANY of the brown-base brick fireplaces. While it won’t necessarily look ‘exciting and stimulating’ it might help to tone down the pink and neutralize your space.
Paint colours similar to Muslin: SW Kilim Beige / SW Natural Linen / SW Accessible Beige
Sherwin Williams Loggia SW 7506
Loggia is a light-medium beige with SUPER muted undertones, so no overly golden colours will pop up on you.
Paint colours similar to Loggia: SW Balanced Beige / BM Stone Hearth
Sherwin Williams Anew Gray SW 7030
Anew Gray can be a stretch for a lot of brown brick fireplace, but it’s worth a try! Anew Gray is a light-medium greige that is pretty well-balanced.
Paint colours similar to Anew Gray: SW Mega Greige / SW Versatile Gray / SW Balanced Beige
Read more: The 10 Best Gray and Greige Paint Colours
Colours and undertones to avoid on your walls if you DON’T like your brown-inspired brick…
Click HERE or on the above image for available packages!
Let’s take a quick break to talk about paint samples…
Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out in the near future to grab paint samples – stop right there! I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel and stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a FEW reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…
- Samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on location
- At $6.99, they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needing for traditional paint sampling
- If you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room
Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE
The Best Paint Colours to Coordinate With a Pink or 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
Benjamin Moore Cedar Key 982
With its beige base and slightly gray-taupe undertone, Cedar Key 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.
Paint colours similar to Cedar Key: BM Baby Fawn / BM Maritime White /
Benjamin Moore Maritime White 963
Maritime White is an off-white that has a soft, cream look, but also harbors a wink o’ pink.
Paint colours similar to Maritime White: SW Anew Gray / BM Cumulus Cloud / BM Collingwood
Benjamin Moore Metropolis CC-546
For a look that’s more rich and exciting, consider Metropolis as an accent wall colour. When paired with a soft off-white paint colour, Metropolis will add depth to your space and could sit nicely with your pinkish fireplace. Or be brave and paint the whole damn room!
Paint colours similar to Metropolis: SW Dovetail / SW Pewter Tankard
Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist OC-27
Balboa Mist might be a bit of a stretch for some brick fireplaces, but it’s worth a try if you’re hankerin’ for a grayish colour!
Paint colours similar to Balboa Mist: BM Classic Gray / SW Alpaca / SW Modern Gray
Colours and undertones to avoid on your walls if you DON’T like your pink 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 or 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 E-design clients to send me their photos and interiors can be tricky!
Sherwin Williams Repose Gray SW 7015
Repose Gray is a light warm gray that favours a mild purple undertone. But be careful, it can sometimes flash a wink green or even blue – grays are known to do this.
Paint colours similar to Repose Gray: Not much, maybe the slightly darker SW Mindful Gray
Sherwin Williams Anew Gray 7030
Anew Gray is a gorgeous, light-medium greige that sits nicely between gray and beige.
Paint colours similar to Anew Gray: SW Mega Greige / BM Cumulus Cloud
Benjamin Moore Classic Gray 1546
Classic Gray is an off-white warm gray with a subtle purple undertone.
Paint colours similar to Classic Gray: BM Silver Satin / SW Incredible White / SW Eider White
Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray SW 7019
Gauntlet Gray is a gray paint colour with a solid brown/taupe base.
Paint colours similar to Gauntlet Gray: BM Chelsea Gray / BM Metropolis / SW Dovetail
Colours and undertones to avoid on your walls if you DON’T like your purple brick…
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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 God) 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!’
However, for those of you who are enamoured with your brick, I DO have a few ideas up my sleeves…
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.
Paint colours similar to Chelsea Gray: SW Classic French Gray / SW Dovetail / BM Amherst Gray
Benjamin Moore Whitall Brown
If you’re dealing with predominantly yellow brick, this is the ONE colour that I could really live with on my walls. Whitall Brown is chocolate brown that is neutral; meaning that it’s not overly orange-toned nor too gray.
Paint colours similar to Whitall Brown: BM Brown Horse / BM Willow
Benjamin Moore White Down OC-131
White Down is a soft warm off-white. It’s a cream but has a strong neutral base to calm it down. It ALL depends on which colours your brick favours.
Paint colours similar to White Down: SW Steamed Milk
Benjamin Moore Navajo White OC-95
Navajo White is a lovely light cream with a warmth in it that is softened by a modest neutral base.
Paint colours similar to Navajo White: BM Gentle Cream / BM Indian White / SW Casa Blanca
Colours and undertones to avoid on your walls with yellow-orange brick…
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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 with picking the right colour?
Check out my Online Consulting for your own personal colour consultation!
KYLIE M INTERIORS E-DESIGN
VIRTUAL, ONLINE PAINT COLOUR CONSULTANT, SPECIALIZING IN BENJAMIN MOORE AND SHERWIN WILLIAMS PAINT COLOURS AND DIY DECORATING IDEAS
Originally written in 2017, awesome updated in 2019
“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
Oh 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
I 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!
Hi 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
Thanks 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.
Hey 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
Our 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!
I 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!
Hi 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. https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
Thank you for asking and hope to hear from you!
~Kylie
Hi 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
Hi 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
Hi 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!
Hi 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
This 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
Hi 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~! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Not 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!
Oh, 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.
I 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 🙂
Hi 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?
Hi 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
Kylie- 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.
Hi 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
Hi 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!
Kylie, I can’t WAIT to see it and I’m so glad you found the info helpful!!!
Great 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.
????
Wow 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
Hi 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 🙂
So, 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?
Hello,
It would be so helpful if you put some small text on your example pictures of the paint colour name. Sometimes it is difficult to understand which example is what. Great site!
Thanks!