How To Paint A Brick Fireplace To Look Like Stone

You’ve only got to look back at a fashion magazine from just 3 years ago to see that fashions change quickly and constantly. The same can be said for interior design and home decor fashions….they change often! 

At one point in time, exposed brick was all the rage and everyone was knocking down walls and chipping off plaster to reveal the original exposed brickwork. Now, people are going crazy about stonework. See how fast it changes! 

This has led many people to want to change up their exposed brick for exposed stone. Of course, this is no easy job, and so one way to get around this is to find little shortcuts. One of these shortcuts is to paint the brick to make it look like stonework! 

In this article, we are going to be exploring the ways you can make your brick fireplace look like stone. We will be looking at painting it in particular, as well as examining what sort of paint can be used for this purpose, and whether you will need a primer. 

So, if you want to transform your brick fireplace to look like stone, this is the article for you! 

How to paint a brick fireplace to look like stone

Painting a brick fireplace to look like stone can easily be done with some simple preparation, a skilled hand, and good quality paint. You should only paint the exterior of your brick fireplace. The interior is exposed to open flames and they could interact with your paint. 

Many people choose to paint their brick fireplaces because of the reddish-brown brick color. This color, as nice as it is, clashes with many types of decor, especially modern decor that is gray or in bright, vibrant clashing colors. 

Stone comes in lots of different colors and naturally varies depending on the type of stone it is, and where in the world it is. Deciding on your chosen stone colors early on will enable you to choose the correct paint. 

You should choose some photos online of natural stone fireplaces that you want to emulate. You could even take these photos to the paint store so that you can choose the best paint colors. 

When you know what type of stone you want to emulate when you paint your brick fireplace, you can begin by preparing your workplace. 

First and foremost, you need to prepare the bricks by cleaning them thoroughly. You can use sugar soap and warm water for this. This will help you to adequately get rid of any grime, build-up, and importantly, stubborn soot marks. 

When you are satisfied that it is totally clean you can let it dry completely before preparing the surface with base paint. Choose a color that is similar to that of sandstone. This will give you a great natural-looking base to work from. 

Apply this paint with a roller first, and then you can grab a small painting brush to make sure every nook and cranny is covered. 

When you are satisfied with your base paint, you can start transforming those bricks into stone! The important thing to remember is that layers are important. Layer up the color as though you were glazing your wall. You can begin this process while the base paint is still wet as it helps it to blend better and look more natural. 

To do this, you may want to consider using a method such as sponging. This is a good method to use if you have a few different natural stone colors. Stone is never usually one solid color but instead has different shades and hues. 

Dab the sponge into one paint color and then dab it onto the wall. Repeat this process with all of the colors, building it up to look natural. For the best results, use a natural sea sponge as this will have random patterns naturally formed inside. This will make your stonework look even more natural. 

Keep following this process until you have achieved your desired look. Remember to keep referring back to those photos you picked out earlier for inspiration. You can also use some stone spray paint. We love the Rust-Oleum Stone Spray Paint.

It comes in several natural stone-inspired colors and can be used on the outside of your brick fireplace, provided it is a safe distance from the flames. It also works brilliantly on a disused fireplace that is there for decoration. 

You should keep in mind that, if you use a fireplace for a heat source, there will be open flames. As such, you need to choose a paint that will be safe when exposed to flames and heat. It should be heat resistant. Consult a professional painter for more information. Keep on reading to the next section to find out more about the type of paint needed for fireplaces. 

What kind of paint do you use on a brick fireplace?

You should use indoor paint for your brick fireplace, ensuring that it is heat resistant up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and above. You should also ensure that it is latex-based paint, either in gloss, semi-gloss or flat. This will ensure it looks as natural as possible. 

Remember, you should only ever paint the exterior of your fireplace, away from the flames. Never paint the interior of your brick fireplace as it will be exposed to open flames! It is best to splurge on good quality paint that you can be sure is safe rather than getting budget paint that does not specify its suitability for high temperatures. 

Do you have to prime a brick fireplace before painting?

Yes! You should prime your brick fireplace before painting it. You need to clean it thoroughly to remove any grime, dust, and soot. After this, you should let it dry thoroughly. You can then apply a base coat to the bricks to prep the surface and make it easier for your chosen paint to adhere. Follow the instructions above to learn how to prep your fireplace properly and then paint it.