27 Brick Fireplace Makeover Ideas That Pass The Cozy Test Every Time

Craving texture and warmth right now? Here are brick fireplace makeover ideas—from full wall moments to old-brick refreshes and renter-friendly tweaks—that turn a tired hearth into a room maker, no stress.

Let’s talk about the hearth: the mood-maker, the first-thing-you-see and the last-thing-you-feel when the lights go low. If yours is stuck in “builder basic,” good news… small tweaks stack into BIG cozy (softened mortar, a real-wood beam, better proportions).

Craving color without chaos? Try limewash / tonal paint / a whispery smear (texture, not noise).

Need storage or symmetry? Float slim shelves, extend the hearth, size the mantel to the wall – scale matters! Styling is half the magic: mirrors to bounce light, layered art, greenery that doesn’t shout, candles for faux-flame nights.

Ready for practical, pretty, doable?! Here are brick fireplace makeover ideas that pass the vibe check and the COZY test. Grab cocoa, cue the playlist, and let’s make sparks – literally and figuratively.

From Boxed-In Stove to Storybook Hearth

I watched Abbie & Joseph (@from_house_to_home_reno_) take one tired fireplace from boxed-in to beautiful, step by step. First I saw the before… a shallow opening, cracked hearth, and a lonely little stove. Then demo hit (dust cloud, bricks saved, flue fixed), and the arch began to reappear.

When they cleaned and repointed the masonry, I finally felt the room breathe; the scarred oak beam, the olive arched niche, and the warm tiled hearth pulled everything together. To me this is the perfect before and after brick wall fireplace makeover: patina kept, proportions corrected, charm dialed up. Best part? It reads like a heartfelt diy makeover, and I love that the final look feels magazine-ready yet still human and handmade.

Crisp Built-In Minimalist Mantel

Fresh white brick from hearth to surround, plus that chunky wood beam—YES. This reads as a simple brick fireplace makeover (paint + restraint) and the flanking built-ins do the heavy lifting. I love the hidden outlets for garland and lights—function > fuss. Feels like a “save for later” moment you’d spot on Apartment Therapy.

Related posts: 25 Unique Ideas for Decorating an Empty Fireplace

Old-World Cozy (Garland + Glow)

A true classic—warm, timeworn brick, an ornate frame, and greenery that says holiday magic!! If you’re hunting red brick fireplace makeover ideas, this proves you don’t always need paint…just layers, patina, and sparkle. That long hearth doubles as a stage for oversized pottery/stacked books—why not go BIG? It even channels those festive mantle shots Martha Stewart drops on Instagram – am I wrong?

Moody Blue Statement

Painted brick in a deep, tailored blue—DRAMA, but make it elegant. The round mirror + chandelier reflection gives “townhouse in London” energy (hello, grown-up glam). It reminds me of the saturated color play from Dakota Johnson’s home tour on Architectural Digest—subtle yet cinematic.

Family Fall Mantel + TV Art

Whitewashed brick, shiplap above, and a frame-TV turned landscape painting—smart/pretty/seasonal. This is the approachable lane of brick fireplace makeover ideas: keep the texture, mute the color, then style with cozy banners + candlesticks. What I love most? The warm wood shelves that echo the rustic mantel (balance!). Feels a little Joanna-Gaines-on-a-Sunday vibe, in the best way.

Loft-Height Hearth, Modern Mountain Mood

Dark stacked brick soaring to the rafters—talk about a floor to ceiling brick fireplace makeover that earns the room’s attention. The squat mantel + TV placement keep things grounded / proportional (no neck craning, thank you).

Sage Brick Serenity

Soft green brick (almost a misty sage) with a quiet ledge and black-framed art—calm, collected, a little mid-century. Plants in and on the firebox? Clever “still life” when the flames are off. I’m into the low contrast—so restful…like a deep exhale.

German-Smeared Charm (Beam Mantel FTW)

That lime-washed, slightly distressed finish lets the original brick peek through – old-meets-new in one stroke. If you’re gathering old brick fireplace makeover ideas, pin this and don’t look back – HGTV reveal energy, 100%. The chunky reclaimed mantel + slim black firebox trim = rustic/modern handshake.

Corner Hearth with Built-In Wood Niche

A tidy corner column of warm brick wrapped around a modern insert -space saver, conversation starter. The vertical wood cubby is SO practical (and photogenic)…why hide logs when they look this good?

Slim Linear + Navy Mosaic Wall

A sleek ribbon fireplace set in small-scale navy tiles – graphic yet understated. Floating wood shelves bridge the hearth to the media zone (form/function at 50-50%). It has that boutique-hotel lounge feel, just add a record spinning and you’re there. Low, wide flame = high impact without shouting – nicely done.

Vertical Tile + Warm Wood Shelves

Slim gray tiles run vertically (hello height!), framed by pale oak shelves that float like calm punctuation. The black insert adds just enough contrast—modern but still “cozy”. 90% serene, 10% edge…that’s the magic. (I love the clean grout lines—SO graphic.)

Retro Triangular Brick Nook

That angled, almost A-frame surround—1970s charm in the best way, right?! Built-in ledges for photos, candles, even a fish tank keep it personal. Quirky/collected beats cookie-cutter every day.

Creamy Limewash + Candlelight

Softly painted brick, brass screen, and a clutch of pillar candles glowing behind—instant romance. If you’re hunting old brick fireplace makeover ideas, this proves gentle paint + texture = win/win. Add a basket of birch logs and you’re done (no demo needed).

Two-Story Smear Brick With Shiplap

This soaring stack reads like a ranch-house cathedral – talk about a floor to ceiling brick fireplace makeover that owns the room!! TV disguised as art, beefy mantels, flanking shelves…it’s all scaled UP (and it works). Gives me Chip & Joanna Gaines farmhouse vibes – can you see it?

Quiet Whitewash, Brass Accents

Classic, minimal, timeless—white brick, blackened firebox, and a gilded landscape for just a whisper of shine. Could be a corner from Reese Witherspoon’s Nashville place (yep, the warm-meets-fresh look you see in AD). What I like most: the tiny greenery cameo on the mantel—simple but effective.

Holiday Arch in Red Brick

Arched opening + cheerful garland + frame TV sleighing as vintage art – festive without trying too hard. File this under red brick fireplace makeover ideas when you want to keep the color but boost the charm. Styling note: the bead garland + twinkle lights combo = instant “night before Christmas”

Arches on Arches, Lodge Vibes

A masonry showcase – arched niche, tiled hearth, log cubby…even the ceiling joins the party. It feels like a mountain lodge where the fire never actually goes out (and honestly, who’s mad about that?). Statement without shouting.

German Smear + Chunky Mantel

Crisp smear mortar outlines every brick, then that hefty wood beam rolls in like a drum solo. Want approachable brick fireplace makeover?—this is it: texture, warmth, and a little greenery for the win. Totally the kind of before/after you’d catch on the Studio McGee blog.

Herringbone Heart, Classic Mantel

A graceful white surround framing herringbone brick—simple, architectural, YES. The antique mirror and tall tapers bring just enough drama.

Craftsman Trim + Rustic Beam Mashup

Boxy white casing meets a chunky oak mantel – new build bones with a wink of vintage. The clay-toned brick brings grit/texture so the black insert doesn’t feel too slick (balance = 100%). Doesn’t this look like something you’d spot in a Domino “calm neutrals” roundup?

Twinkle-Lit Cream Brick for the Holidays

Softly washed brick + brass screen + stockings + that Santa art—cue the cocoa. Candles inside the firebox are the coziest hack (zero mess, 100% glow!). Feels like Jennifer Garner’s wholesome-Christmas energy from IG, right?!

Limestone Layers, Modern Mirror

Chiseled stone, pale wood shelves, and a slim round mirror—quiet luxury without shouting. The matte black firebox is the exclamation point to all that softness…YES. What I love most is the tone-on-tone palette!!

Cottage Contrast, Little Stove Big Mood

A soot-black surround framing chalky brick with a petite stove and stacked logs—storybook vibes (The Holiday, anyone?). The deep evergreen garland draped low adds drama without being fussy. Small footprint / big ambiance—win-win!

Tall Gable Hearth with German Smear

This towering chimney breast takes the room vertical—hello, vaulted drama!! Smear mortar softens the brick and that beefy mantel keeps it grounded (proportion matters).

Vintage Noel with Beadboard Backdrop

Timeworn brick, rustic beam, glittering garland, and a tiny framed landscape – old-soul charm turned up to 11. The petite stove pipe disappearing into the brick is such a neat detail (why does it feel like a Dickens set, in the best way?). Cozy-proof.

Wide Hearth, Full-Wall Presence

A long, low ledge and a generous expanse of mottled brick—architectural and unfussy. That sturdy wood beam floats like a horizon line, while built-in shelves keep the styling light. I swear this could cameo in a Dwell “warm minimal” feature, no notes.