The best updates for brick fireplaces, exterior brick, uses for thin brick and more…
We’ve got a brick house 🎵. She’s mighty mighty (expensive to maintain) and I don’t know what to say about that lettin’ it all hang out part🤔. Let’s just let that lie.
Do you have your own brick house? Or any kind of brick for that matter, either inside and/or outside said house? Is that brick a low-light rather than a highlight of your home? Maybe a brick fireplace that looks like more of a faux-pas than a focal point, perhaps?
I know the feeling! And so do LOTS of other people.
There aren’t many posts on our website that draw as many questions like the ones we’ve done on brick makeovers in the past. Our german smear tutorial, painted brick fireplace tutorial, and $10 wood stove/firebox update are among the most popular on our entire website.
Since brick seems to be something that so many of us want to love, but tend to loathe in our homes, we decided to round up the best techniques and tutorials we could find to help you give your own brick a much-needed makeover!
And if you’re looking for other budget-friendly ways to decorate at home, I’ve got you covered on that front!
Here’s what’s in store for you in this brick updates and ideas article:
If figuring out how to update your brick fireplace, or brick exterior has felt like banging your head on a brick wall, get ready…you’re about to have a brick-breakthrough!
21 Incredible Brick Update Ideas:
1. How To Paint A Brick Fireplace | heatherednest.com
Here’s the most basic crash course on painting a brick fireplace. No priming, just a quick and dirty let ‘er rip kind of method (and it works perfectly). Here’s the BEFORE:
And the AFTER:
2. How to do a German Smear to update the look of your brick | heatherednest.com
This is definitely our most popular brick makeover to date. And this is a VERY inexpensive and relatively easy technique to give brick a beautiful, rustic look.
3. Whitewashed Fireplace Brick | themagicbrushinc.com
This tutorial by my friend Jennifer shows a whitewash technique (which provides less coverage than typical painting so that more of your brick shows through) using chalk paint.
4. Brick Fireplace Makeover | erinspain.com
I like Erin’s makeover because she shows the difference between her brick when it was whitewashed versus fully painted for those questioning which look they prefer.
5. Painted Grout | rootsandwingsfurniture.com
Interesting way to address grout that is less than desirable looking.
6. How To Fix Broken Bricks | madnessandmethod.com
Never would have thought up this technique in a million years. If you have some broken or chipped brick on your fireplace, or another interior spot that’s driving you nuts, you may want to check out this DIY.
Pssst…remember! Don’t leave here empty handed! Grab a copy of “10 Totally Transformational Home Decorating Solutions – All Under $100” now. Click here or on the image below to grab yours now⤵️
7. Front Porch Makeover | shadesofblueinteriors.com
If you want some exterior inspiration, check out this makeover. Not only does she update her exterior brick, she adds a brick sidewalk using a specific type of brick product.
8. How To Paint Brick | craftivitydesigns.com
Here’s a different take on painting brick using a specific primer first.
9. Brick Fireplace Makeover | shineyourlightblog.com
Love this makeover. If you absolutely want to get rid of the brick look, cover over it!
10. Brick Fireplace Makeover | myrepurposedlife.com
Another way to downplay outdated brick. Gail covers over much of the brick with wood moldings.
11. How To Install A Rustic Brick Accent Wall | sheholdsdearly.com
We’ve used this brick veneer product as well, and love it! Sarah has written a detailed tutorial on the installation.
12. Interior Floor Brick Installation | northcountrynest.com
Considering using brick as an interior flooring choice? Here’s an installation tutorial.
13. Airstone Fireplace Makeover On A DIY Budget | inmyownstyle.com
Three hours. WHAT the WHAT?! Yep. Took Diane just 3 hours to do this fireplace makeover using a product known as “airstone” or a heavy styrofoam faux stone. I’m wanting to find a way to try this product out now, too!
14. Black Painted Brick Fireplace | freshcrush.com
Most painted fireplaces you see are painted white. But there have been a TON of black fireplaces cropping up recently, too.
If you love that look, check out Jen’s tutorial. She also stripped and refinished this gorgeous wood mantel and talks about that process as well.
And if you’re loving black accent walls these days, check out this post we wrote about that very thing!
Click here to have a free copy of “10 Totally Transformational Decorating Ideas – All Under $100!” emailed to you today!
15. DIY Brick Wall | unexpectedelegance.com
Less expensive than brick tiles are faux brick panels, but many people don’t know about this product, or choose not to use this option because the “brick” looks fake…which is true. It IS fake.
But Angela spruced it up with an awesome paint technique, and I’m now a believer in this option for brick lovers on a budget!
16. DIY Concrete Fireplace For Less Than $100 | designertrapped.com
Love love love this amazing fireplace makeover using concrete! Not only is it budget-friendly, but it gives a completely different, modern look for a space. Tasha walks through the whole technique.
17. Mortar Wash Brick Fireplace Tutorial & Cottage Flip Update | blog.jennasuedesign.com
Jenna Sue started out with a rough-looking brick fireplace, and with some serious elbow grease, she turned it into a beauty. She did a german smear technique on her brick, but because of the starting point, hers was much more time-consuming than ours. Good tips for dealing with brick that is far from ideal.
18. How To Paint Exterior Brick | houseupdated.com
Some good thoughts here on painting exterior brick.
19. How To Do A German Smear Mortar Wash On Brick | lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.com
Julie’s brother did a german wash on his exterior brick. Check it out for everything you need to know!
20. Limewashed Exterior Brick | segretofinishes.com
Limewashing is a beautiful technique as well, but the ingredients used are different than those of other techniques. This post discusses the basics.
21. Update a wood stove for less than $10 | heatherednest.com
Got some brassy or otherwise outdated metal or faux metal accents on your wood stove or firebox? Here’s how we updated ours for less than $10.
Still searching for more brick projects? Check these out…
Pin this project for later! And if you decide to try it, leave a comment on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try it, too!
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Stephanie says
I have an interior brick fireplace that was clad in the ugly putty pink exterior brick used on the outside.(Its bad) It has wierd textured cut lines throughout. I painted the brick white and i still hate it. can I still do a mortar smear or a concrete finish if the brick is already painted with a solid coat?
Heather says
I haven’t tried that myself, Stephanie, so I can’t give you a definite. But I wouldn’t think it would be an issue to try it at all!
Lisa says
Going to do the German Smear on my cheap faux brick backsplash as the first step in updating my kitchen. TY for sharing all this info
Heather says
That’s awesome Lisa!! Would love if you let me know how it goes!! And if you have any questions, email me!! I’m always looking to make sure the tutorial for the german smear we’ve made is as good as possible!! Good luck!!
Lora says
Thank you for including my post about painting brick!