Walls that contain a fireplace are often overwhelming for a homeowner to design around. Never mind trying to figure out the most logical furniture placement in a room with a fireplace; picking an appealing paint color for a wall that houses a brick fireplace can be an excruciating task, sometimes with disastrous results. Avoid disaster by understanding undertones, using a color wheel correctly and picking colors thoughtfully.
Choose a neutral color for the wall. Examine the brick to match a specific neutral color it contains, or pick one in the same color family but in a lighter shade. Painting the wall a lighter neutral color in the same family brings out the brick's natural undertones.
Pick a rich, bold color to make a statement. Choose a color in the brick and go a few shades darker for the wall. Using a strong color on the wall can give the entire room individuality, as well as play up the architectural elements in the room, according to ThisOldHouse.com.
Create an accent wall by choosing a complementary color. A wall that contains a fireplace is a room's natural focal, but splashing a complementary color on the wall can add even greater interest. Look at a color wheel to find the base color of the brick that's on the fireplace, and then look directly across from that color on the wheel to find its color complement. Picking a complementary color will ensure the wall color and fireplace will not clash, but will instead bring out the best in each other and create a comfortable atmosphere.
Paint the brick fireplace and the wall the same color. Choose a color found in a rug, pillow, drapes or favorite accessory in the room and extend the wall paint to cover the entire fireplace for a seamless look. Using the same color on both the bricks and wall camouflages the fireplace, creating a crisp backdrop to showcase a favorite piece of art or keepsake above the mantle.
Create a brick pattern on the wall to extend the look of the fireplace. First paint the entire wall a color similar to the fireplace grout color, then dip a rectangular mop sponge into paint and press it against the wall in regular intervals. Allow the paint to dry, and then use multiple paints in varying shades to stamp the bricks again. Using a number of shades creates depth and texture to mimic the look of the real brick.
Things You Will Need
- Color wheel
- Choose the same color but in a semigloss or gloss finish when painting the brick fireplace the same color as the wall.
- Maria Killam: How to Choose Colour Around a Stone Fireplace
- ReliableRemodeler.com: Need Fireplace Wall Painting Ideas?
- The Decorolgist: Please Do It Right, or Don't Do It at All -- The Accent Wall
- Sensational Color: Understanding Undertones=Color Success
- This Old House: No-Fail Paint Colors for Small Spaces
- Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images