A brick fireplace adds warmth to a room in every sense, and exposed brick fits beautifully with modern, rustic, and in between styles. Its appeal lasts because brick can look just as right today as it has for decades.
Whether you are refreshing an existing fireplace or imagining one for a new space, brick gives you plenty of direction. Leave it natural, paint it, pair it with built ins, or keep the design beautifully simple.
These ideas show how easily brick fireplaces can shift from cozy and traditional to clean and contemporary, with a few unexpected looks along the way. Brick can command attention or quietly support the room, and it belongs just as naturally in living rooms and bedrooms as it does outdoors.
Brick Fireplace in Gray with Firewood Storage Built In
At the bottom of the fireplace, built-in cubbies provide firewood storage. They are part of the fireplace itself.
Within the gray brick fireplace, built-in cubbies store firewood, eliminating the need for a separate basket or rack. The storage appears neat and intentional, while the moody gray brick gives it a modern style.
Tall windows provide substantial light, which keeps the gray brick from feeling heavy. Oversized art above the fireplace adds drama.
White Surround Brick Fireplace
A large white surround gives the brick fireplace a polished feel. The firebox has exposed brick, while crisp white trim wraps around the fireplace. A traditional style carries through the design, and a gold mirror above the mantel adds glamour.
Built-in shelving on both sides of the fireplace provides balance, while pink tulips add softness.
Exposed Brick Around the Fireplace and Gray Built-Ins
The exposed brick fireplace is flanked by gray cabinets and floating shelves, which give the fireplace a modern edge. The exposed brick retains its warm tones, while the gray cabinetry cools the fireplace setup and makes it feel current.
The brass sconces stay restrained even as they add shine. They flank the fireplace.
Exposed Brick Corner for Christmas
The displayed holiday decor creates a cozy atmosphere in the corner. Next to the fireplace, a Christmas tree stands beside the exposed brick, whose natural warm red and brown colors remain visible. The reclaimed wood mantel holds stars and candles.
The holiday decor retains warmth without giving up function. A wood stove insert sits inside the brick enclosure, while open shelving next to the fireplace provides additional function.
Vaulted Ceiling in Warm Wood
Wood covers the ceiling and carries the material across the vaulted space. The wood ceiling follows the vaulted angle and adds warmth as the brick fireplace extends into the vaulted ceiling. Together, the brick and wood combination feels right.
A black fireplace insert sits above a brick hearth at the bottom of the fireplace.
Herringbone Outdoor Fireplace
Inside the firebox, the brick is arranged in a herringbone pattern. That pattern provides a custom detail.
White columns frame the outdoor fireplace and make the setup feel like a proper room. Mounting a TV on the brick turns the setup into an entertainment space.
Tufted outdoor furniture fills the fireplace area, with plants placed around it. The fireplace setup functions as an outdoor living area.
Whitewashed Brick Outdoor Fireplace
The outdoor fireplace combines whitewashed brick with natural wood, so it feels both cozy and refined. The brick runs up and across the fireplace, connecting it to the patio. A wood beam mantel supports drinks and decor, while the firebox has a herringbone pattern.
The design is simple and well done, and it is stated to be sufficient.
Whitewashed Fireplace and Plant Corner
Next to the fireplace, a cluster of plants changes the vibe of the space. Whitewashed brick gives the fireplace a light feel, while a natural wood mantel adds warmth. The decor uses a casual collected style.
Shiplap fills the space between the TV and fireplace, giving the TV a surface of its own rather than mounting it directly on the brick. That break in material helps reduce the brick’s busyness.
White Built-In Shelves on Each Side of a Brick Fireplace
Beside the fireplace, the white built-ins provide storage. Their placement keeps useful storage close to the fireplace without taking up separate floor space.
The shelving provides designated storage and helps reduce clutter. Books, plants, and decor pieces can all sit on the shelves.
Under the television is a box-shaped wood planter that introduces greenery. The television sits on whitewashed brick, whose light, airy effect avoids the dark, heavy look brick can sometimes create.
Built-In Soft Green Nook Beside Rustic Brick Fireplace
The old brick and soft green built-in nook combine contrasting materials. Together, they create an unexpected combination.
The brick looks real and weathered, with red and brown coloring. An arched nook provides both storage and display space without using any floor space.
The rough rustic brick coordinates with a chunky rustic wood mantel. Their mismatched textures increase the visual interest around the fireplace.
Vaulted Ceiling with a Full-Height Whitewashed Brick Fireplace
The fireplace extends all the way to the vaulted ceiling. This makes the full height of the ceiling part of the fireplace wall.
Whitewashed brick at the fireplace draws attention upward and makes the room seem larger. Its vertical height emphasizes the space between the fireplace and the ceiling.
Layered art on the mantel keeps the fireplace from looking plain. A wood mantel and brick hearth add warmth, while the artwork gives the arrangement more presence.
Whitewashed Farmhouse Fireplace with Greenery
White shiplap walls sit alongside the whitewashed fireplace, giving the space a light, airy feel. Above the mantel, mirrors sit beneath a beaded chandelier that adds sparkle. A full Christmas garland stretches across the mantel and contrasts with the white brick.
The wood mantel supports a grounded feel, while the fireplace feels warm and inviting.
Black Tile Wood Accent Fireplace
The wood accent and black tile give this fireplace a modern style that differs from a brick fireplace while still matching the feel of a brick fireplace. Black tile covers the fireplace, and a green accent at its base works with the wood ceiling to reduce the starkness. The see-through fireplace divides the room without enclosing it.
Colorful, playful pendant lights reduce the seriousness of the room.
Rustic Corner Brick Fireplace
The brick fireplace fits into the corner and makes the space feel unique. Around the firebox, candles add a lived-in atmosphere. The exposed brick has high color variation and a highly textured surface, while a chunky, rough wood mantel brings in a rustic touch.
A mounted antler on the brick supports a cabin style. The fireplace itself feels cozy and rugged.
Sage Green Brick Fireplace
A painted brick fireplace can use a nonwhite color, such as sage green. The sage green brick fireplace has a soft modern style and blends with the wall. Black-and-white art above the fireplace supports a simple, clean look.
With its understated surface, the fireplace has low visual prominence.
Built-In Shelving Around a Brick Fireplace
Brick extends from floor to ceiling around the fireplace. Built-in shelving on the fireplace sides provides display space.
Natural-toned brick adds warmth, while white shelving reduces the heaviness. Style the built-in shelving with books, photos, or plants.
The TV is set within the brick and integrated into the fireplace. It does not appear to be an afterthought, and the fireplace appears intentional.
Partly Brick Fireplace
The brick painting stops short of full coverage, leaving the fireplace in a middle ground. The white painted surround gives the fireplace a polished feel, while a natural wood mantel and a natural wood beam above the fireplace add warmth. Exposed brick brings in both texture and warmth as well.
If you prefer to keep some brick visible, partial painting gives the fireplace a more refined feel.
Brick Outdoor Fireplace with an Arched Opening at a Covered Patio
The brick gives this outdoor fireplace its main surface, with an arched opening set into it.
Brick extends across the patio wall and ceiling, making the patio resemble an extension of the house.
A blanket for cool evenings and a book for seating time sit near the white cushioned chairs. The chairs support cool-evening seating.
Fireplace with a Brick Inscription
The fireplace has a history-marked appearance, with its history still present. A chunky wood mantel sits over the brick fireplace, whose brick surround includes a carved inscription. The inscription is an original detail that cannot be replicated, and the fireplace is associated with a cottage and an old chapel.
Soft blue and soft green paint reduce the heaviness of the brick. The fireplace creates a cozy atmosphere without making the room feel dark.
Whitewashed Brick Fireplace with an Arched Mirror Above the Mantel
The arched mirror sits above the mantel, while the fireplace opening below it echoes the mirror’s shape. The soft, neutral whitewashed brick is set against a wood mantel, while the repeated shapes create cohesion and the whitewashed brick contrasts with the wood.
In front of the fireplace, textured ottomans contribute to the coziness. Two chairs sit symmetrically on either side, adding cohesion through their arrangement.
Whitewashed Brick Fireplace Two Stories High with Wood Beams by the Mantel
White paint changes the feel of the brick, which forms the two-story fireplace.
On both sides of the two-story fireplace, chunky wood beams add contrast and keep the room from feeling cold. The room feels bright and open.
Green velvet pillows bring color and material to the room, while the woven chandelier coordinates with the room’s textures.
Arched Brick Covered Patio Fireplace
An arched brick detail gives the fireplace a tailored appearance and an upscale feel. The wood plank ceiling contrasts with the light brick, giving the outdoor space the same finished feel as an indoor room.
On the outdoor patio, a gray tile floor keeps the surface practical while still looking sleek.
Exposed Beams in a Vaulted Ceiling
The exposed wooden beams draw attention upward. Their placement makes the vaulted ceiling part of what you notice in the room.
Brick and wood bring distinct material details to the open-concept space. Together, the brick fireplace and wood beams create a cozy corner within the large room, while the fireplace defines the living area.
The brick surface is joined by woven pendant lights that bring in texture without taking attention from it. The television sits within the brick rather than above the mantel, and that placement appears intentional.
White Mantel on Whitewashed Brick Fireplace
A white mantel sits on whitewashed brick, giving the fireplace a classic style. The two white surfaces keep the main feature visually connected.
The coffered ceiling adds architectural interest above the room. Down at the fireplace, a herringbone firebox brings in another layer of visual detail.
The space supports both dressed-up and casual styling. Those choices give it an elegant style without creating a stuffy atmosphere.
Herringbone Fireplace Center Panel
A herringbone pattern fills the center panel of the fireplace. The pattern creates a focal point within the larger fireplace surface.
Across the rest of the wall, the brick uses the same material as the center panel but a different arrangement. That change in pattern creates a focal point without requiring any added elements.
The center fireplace is flanked by two windows and two gray couches facing each other. This symmetrical layout places the seating on opposite sides of the fireplace and creates a balanced, calm atmosphere.