How to paint fireplaces with finesse: retouching marble, brick and wood

Here’s a story that is as old as time. You’ve moved into a new place and the fireplace leaves much to be desired. It’s not ugly pe say, but it doesn’t match your décor and detracts from the cohesive look you were going for. It’s giving disjointed and old-fashioned. Yikes… While this is the point when many homeowners envision violently ripping it out, it’s definitely worth considering what a simple colour change could do for the space.

To help you on the way to working it out, the decorating specialists at splat have put together this guide on how to paint fireplaces, so you can get the look you desire at a fraction of the cost of removing or swapping the original feature. Let’s get down to work.

First things first, can I paint my fireplace?

Yep, absolutely. Whether your fireplace exudes traditional charm with a wooden mantel and surround or falls within a stately niche crafted out of marble, there are few surfaces you can’t paint. Thanks to today’s sheer variety of high-performing, specialist paints for brick to wood to stone, you can achieve numerous looks as long as you pay close attention to the specifications of each surface and their corresponding paint. The image below is proof that a striking surround colour can uplift an entire interior.

The only thought we do suggest lingering on is whether you’re willing to put in the effort, especially with trickier canvasses such as a stone fireplace. Painting wood is a great project for a beginner, but stone and masonry require a bit more technique to see that you get a smooth, professional finish. And don’t forget to look into the heat-resistant qualities of your paint! But more on paints later…

Why paint a fireplace: 10 compelling motives

Nice! We’re over the first hurdle and have learnt that painting your fireplace isn’t so hard after all. But, another important question, why bother?

Besides the fact that it’s a simple way to completely revamp the aesthetics and feel of a space, here are some hefty reasons you should mull over.

1. It’s a relatively cost-effective way of making a big visual change and adding character.
2. Painting your fireplace can help blend two styles seemingly at odds with each other.
3. Get the colour options right and you can make a space feel roomier.
4. You can really leave your mark on a room.
5. It’s much less hassle than removing or replacing the feature.
6. Painting allows you to exercise your creativity in new and original ways.
7. It’s a cost-effective way to hide imperfections.
8. You can create a scheme that is utterly unique whilst trendy.
9. A lick of paint is a clever vehicle for making any tiles stand out.
10. It’s fun!

Preparing to paint a fireplace

With the preliminaries covered, let’s get into how to prepare to paint fireplaces, whether they’re wood, brick or marble. We’ll go through the general prep, picking a style and then paint options.

Planning and room preparation

Thinking about getting your fireplace done as quickly as possible? Then, you’ll need to plan around the project as it could take numerous days – of course – this depends on the conditions of the fireplace, the type of paint/stain and whether you decide to seal it for protection.

 As a rule of thumb, spring, summer and autumn are the best times of year to do this job. And, lastly, you may want to plan around your social calendar, so it doesn’t inconvenience anyone who may come over.

Picking a design scheme

Perhaps the trickiest part of revamping your fireplace (minus the painting!) is settling on a design scheme. When there is an endless array of colours to choose from, let alone the finish, it’s understandable that you might freeze up with choice overload.

Take some time to explore online for styles you like, weigh up which options are possible for your fireplace material and maybe do some mood boarding. You’ll likely find that something will jump out at you.

Whether that’s a whitewashed brick fireplace, a bold and glossy painted mantel that matches your other trim, or a subtle stone hearth that has been painted a dark shade to recede into the wall, try to imagine it in your space. Like what you envision? Then give it a go!

Choosing the correct paint

If there’s anything to get right, it’s this. If you want to complete your project to a passable standard, you should really put some time and thought into choosing the right paint for your fireplace makeover.

This usually encompasses a bit of research, including looking at the product spec and any reviews from customers. You’ll need a paint that:

1. Can withstand the heat (if your fireplace is the real deal);
2. Adhere to the surface;
3. Has good eco-credentials;
4. Meets your budget;
5. Comes in a variety of shades and finishes.

Wood fireplace paints

Wooden fireplaces are perhaps the easiest to find a quality paint for. Here, you could opt for a stain if au naturelle will suit the space. Otherwise, select a high-performing interior wood paint in your desired finish – Farrow and Ball’s Interior Wood and Metal is a great designer option, while Dulux has a great range of trade products.

Brick fireplace paints

Your choice of paint for brick fireplaces will likely depend on the aesthetic you intend to achieve. If going down the shabby chic route chalk paints are a brilliant option, as are Zinsser products such as Allcoat and their mould-resistant paint. If you plan to whitewash the fireplace, make sure you’re using a water-based paint for the best results.

Marble fireplace paints

While not for the faint of heart, learning how to paint a marble fireplace and executing the job with flair isn’t off the table for those with intermediate decorating skills. As long as you’re extremely careful with prepping the surface, getting the paint on evenly and picking suitable products you can recolour the mantel, surround and hearth without too many problems.

Our recommendation here is to opt for a powerful, multi-surface product like Sadolin Superdec, Zinsser Allcoat or Bradite One Can – each of these is formulated to provide smooth, durable coverage on tricky surfaces. They’re also self-priming and undercoating, so you don’t need to worry about finding a compatible primer.

We stock each of these in numerous finishes from satin eggshell to matt, so do feel free to browse. If you have your heart set on a specific designer colour, but it’s not suitable for the project, we can colourmatch them for you!

How to paint fireplaces (wood, brick & marble)

With your paint and decorating style chosen, it’s time to get to the main event. Here’s how to paint a wood, brick or marble fireplace, outlined in 7 steps.

What you will need

• Overalls and safety equipment
• Screwdriver and spirit level
• Sandpaper, dust cloth and protective sheets
• Sugar soap solution and/or clean spirit
• Filler, paint primer and a suitable paint
• Masking tape, paint kettle or tray
• Paint brush and/or mini roller
• Sealer

Step 1) Set up the room for painting

First steps as always are getting your room ready for painting by moving any furniture out of the way, setting down dust sheets and creating a workstation with all your tools and equipment.

Step 2) Remove the surround if possible or tape up

Once your equipment is sourced and the tidying is done, the first thing to consider is whether you can remove your fireplace surround. If you have a reproduction fireplace, it’s likely that you can. Check the sides of the fireplace for small metal fastenings that screw into the wall – usually there are at least four.

Hopefully with the help of a friend or by yourself, unscrew the surround and lay it on a dust sheet. This will make it much easier to paint, so if you can, do ittt!

If you can’t take it off, then it’s time to use painter’s tape. Tear off 10cm lengths of painter’s tape and carefully apply them to the wall around your surround, aiming as closely as possible and making sure to stick them down in an accurate, straight line.

Step 3) Prepare the surface for painting

Make sure you are prepared to get the surface ready so that the paint will adhere well. Here, the process might vary according to the surface material, including how porous it is, so heed our next instructions carefully.

For brick

With brick surfaces, it’s important that they’re clean and level. Fill in any imperfections with an appropriate sealer and then leave it to dry. Then give it a good dusting and clean with a sugar soap solution. Once it’s nice and clean, you’ll want to let it dry fully for 24 hours before grabbing your paint/primer.

For wood

Begin by cleaning it with a cloth and a little sugar soap. Then start sanding along all the surfaces you’re going to paint with 120-180 grit sandpaper, paying close attention to the corners and bevels. Try and follow the grain of the wood and ensure everything is lovely and smooth. Then you can clean it off with a hoover, duster, damp cloth or a combination.

For marble

Sanding marble can be an especially time-consuming process, so using an orbital sander may be preferable to doing it manually. You’ll need to undergo a wet sanding process, i.e., sanding it with the surface slightly dampened.

Top tip: Regardless of material, it’s important to remove any stuck hairs, dust, and scratched edges that could ruin your paint job, so don’t forget to thoroughly clean the surface once it’s smooth!

Step 4) Applying your primer (if your paint isn’t self-priming)

Using a primer before applying your main coat of paint serves numerous purposes. First, the primer evens out the wooden fireplaces by filling in the grain and helps the paint adhere to wood, marble and brick. Additionally, choosing a shade of primer that matches your topcoat can enhance the final results and block potential stains.

Make sure to cover the fireplace everywhere you plan to paint using a mini roller and/or brush. One thin coat will do the trick.

Step 5) The first coat of paint

Now you can begin with your paint – a litre tin will more than do.

When you’re painting, just remember to work efficiently and carefully to achieve thin, even coats with your brush and mini roller. Take your time and enjoy the process! Use a small paintbrush to get into all the nooks and crannies, and wait for as long as directed on the paint instructions.

Don’t forget to keep your brushes and rollers moist by keeping them in a plastic bag while you wait for the paint to dry.

Step 6) Second and third coats

Repeat the previous step for your second and third coat, ensuring you continue to take the same care and consideration to follow the grain if wood and ensuring you fill in any nooks and crannies if brick.

Step 7) Seal your new colour

Sealing your painted fireplace is the final step to protect the finish and ensure longevity. Choose a sealer that matches your paint type and apply a thin, even coat using a clean brush or roller once that final coat of paint is dry. This will add a protective layer that helps resist heat, scratches, and stains. Let the sealer dry completely before using the fireplace.

Get painting!

Now you know how to paint fireplaces of all types, it will be easy as pie to give yours a simple yet impactful makeover. Remember: be careful with your choice of paint products, be efficient and systematic with your technique and don’t be afraid to get the experts on board if it’s looking to be a difficult job. With the right care and consideration, you can build a cohesive interior that doesn’t just look impressive, but you’ll want to spend plenty of time in.

If you enjoyed this tutorial, why not explore the wealth of others on our decorating blog? Go on – we dare you!