The main feature of your fireplace is to keep you warm on those cold winter nights. However, since it’s the room’s focal point, it also has to look good enough to avoid dampening your home’s aesthetic appeal. Painting is the best way to transform the fireplace, but should it be the same color as the wall?
A fireplace should be the same color as the wall if you aim for uniformity within the space. It’s the best approach if you want the fireplace to blend into the wall. If you want the fireplace to remain the focal point, it’s best to use contrasting colors when painting.
Choosing the right color for your fireplace can be overwhelming. The rest of the article will go into more detail on all you need to know to get the right results.
Why Paint a Fireplace the Same Color As the Wall?
Painting your fireplace the same color as the wall around it is a perfect way to ensure it seamlessly blends into the room. It’s a good option for homeowners who’d love the attention to be elsewhere other than the fireplace.
Your fireplace doesn’t have to be the first thing people see when they walk into the room. It shouldn’t always serve as the focal point. Painting the fireplace the same color ensures it’ll disappear into the room, allowing other features to come to the fore.
You can also paint your fireplace a color similar to the wall if you want it to blend into the space without hiding it completely. Your target here should be a monochromatic look. To achieve it, you’ll need to go for a paint color that’s two to three shades darker or lighter than your wall color.
So, if the wall color is coffee, you can paint the fireplace a pastel color. If it’s mint green, you can choose to go with sage as your color of choice.
With the right monochromatic approach, your fireplace will take its place as one of the aesthetic additions to your room design instead of taking over the space completely.
Alternatives to Painting Your Fireplace the Same Color As the Wall
Painting your fireplace the same color as your wall or creating a monochromatic look with your painting isn’t your only option. You can take other approaches when beautifying your fireplace with paint, including the following:
Choose a Neutral Color
If you want your fireplace to look great without making any big changes, you should consider using neutral paint colors. Neutral colors like gray, tan, brown, white, cream, and ivory will match almost any existing color scheme you’ve already got in your place in the room.
Going with white can brighten the room and make it look bigger, while ivory or cream is the best option to go with for a softer look. If you want a modernistic feel to your space, you should consider using matte black paint around the fireplace.
Consider Using Two Different Shades
If you want a bold appearance for your fireplace, you should consider painting your fireplace with two different paint colors. Use one shade of paint for the mantel and another shade for the surrounding interior.
Black and white will always work, but you can consider combos such as brown and olive green, white and pink, etc. You can give your fireplace a unique look and make it the center of attraction with the right combination.
Go for Contrasting Colors
If you want your fireplace to be the focal point in the room, you should consider going for a contrasting color scheme. If your walls have dark colors, you should paint the fireplace light and vice versa.
However, you can also mix different warm and cool colors to get some bold contrast. For example, if you’ve got a warm orange color on the walls, you should consider painting your fireplace a cool gray to give it a striking look.
What Types of Paints and Finishes Can Withstand Fireplace Heat?
Acrylic finishes are the best for fireplace redecoration. However, most finishes can withstand fireplace heat, which can reach up to 200°F (93.33°C). Conventional wood fires will rarely breach that temperature limit.
However, the heat generated in a standard fireplace will cause oil-based paints and finishes to deteriorate quickly. The degradation can happen with almost any paint, depending on the overall quality. However, oil paints are usually affected faster. Acrylic finishes tend to hold up better in similar conditions.
It would be best if you avoided intumescent coating when redecorating your fireplace. It’s a fireproof solution, which may make it sound like an excellent option to go with on paper. In reality, it doesn’t work that way. Heat on the coating makes it puff up and become difficult to clean. Therefore, it’s not the best option for fireplaces.
How To Buy the Right Paint for Your Fireplace
When searching for some paint for your fireplace, you should consider using semi-gloss or acrylic paint. Semi-gloss paint ensures you can clean around the fireplace area, and it’s not shiny. Avoid buying any paints with an intumescent finish mixed in because of the reason we’ve highlighted above.
If you’re unsure about using paint around your fireplace, you should consider talking to the store reps or checking reviews online.
The Generic White Satin Enamels Paint (available on Amazon.com) is an example of acrylic paint you can count on when redecorating your fireplace. It’s easy to apply with a brush or paint roller, and the satin finish can transform the look and feel of your space.
Final Thoughts
A fireplace painted the same color as the wall will blend into the rest of your home’s décor. However, if you’d like yours to remain the focal point in the room, you should consider using contrasting or bold colors in your redesign.
Don’t forget to choose acrylic paint where possible for a longer-lasting result. Oil paints and finishes can serve you well, but the fireplace will need refurbishment after a few years.