A beautiful mantel and fireplace can add endless character to any room. One of the best ways to accentuate their appeal is with paint. Whether you create contrast with complementary colors or keep things simple and monochromatic, the possibilities are endless. Read on to find tips and inspiration for choosing hues that not only capture your unique personality but complement your decorating style, year-round.
Masterfully Monochromatic
Want your decor to be the star of the room? Paint your mantel and walls in a matching hue. A soft white paint color like Alabaster creates a seamless backdrop for showcasing everything from rustic artwork to festive holiday garland.
Terrifically Two-Toned
For rooms with light-colored walls, painting the mantel in a single accent color makes it a showstopping focal point. Choose a paint color to match your decor, or pick a hue based on the vibe you want to create. A rich charcoal blue like Cyberspace adds elegant, timeless charm.
Dark & Dramatic
To bring out the natural beauty of wood mantels and shelving, choose a paint color for the fireplace and surrounding wall that’s rooted in nature. Try a hue like Naval on paneling or shiplap to mimic the boundless blue of the nighttime sky.
Have a magnificent mantel of your own? Share your photos on social media with the hashtag #SWColorLove or visit our website to upload them to the #SWColorLove Gallery.
Enjoyed reading this. I’d like to repaint our black mantel in our den which has “whole wheat” walls and “dover white” trim (LOVE those colors!). My husband thinks the black mantel looks great, but to me it sticks out, and not in a good way. The painting over the mantel has a lot of teal/blue-greens, and I’ve considered pulling out one of those colors to paint the mantel, but I think it would be too bold. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Hello Martie, technically your mantel is part of your trim. We would suggest you paint the mantel Dover White SW 6385 like the rest of the trim in that room. Then, we would paint one of the teals you like on the fireplace wall. An accent color behind your focus allows you to put some strong color in there without overwhelming the space. Let us know what you think. Thank you!
I have taupe grey walls in my family room and a brick fireplace with wood mantle
What colors would you suggest that I use
to paint my mantle and brick fireplace ?
Hi Emily, Can you confirm the paint name and number for us to better assist you?
I would love to paint our mantel Cyberspace as shown in the picture above. However, I do not know what to do with the adjacent walls and space surrounding the mantel. Should I go with white (Alabaster) or paint the remainder walls and spaces beige (Agreeable Beige)? Additionally, we have tons of natural light in our family room. The Cyberspace mantel would be perfect.
Hello Jen, are you referring to Accessible Beige SW 7036 or Agreeable Gray SW 7029? Let us know when you get moment. Thank you!
Hello,
We have our walls painted a very light gray color. We are getting ready to paint our build in book case with cabinets below and our mantle/trim around the fireplace. We were thinking perhaps a green color such as Recycled Glass HGSW7747 or Fairyland HGSW2246 for the built in bookcases with cabinets. What color would you use for the mantel/trim around the fireplace?
Thank you!
Hi Pam! What is the color of the rest of the trim in your space? The baseboards and/or crown molding? If the trim is white, continue that same white on the trim and mantel around your fireplace – the mantel and trim are considered part of the architectural detail in your space and should be the same color as the rest of your trim.
our living room ceilings are 2 story high and the fireplace wall above the mantel is mostly bare and only has a clock on it. was thinking of painting the wall as an accent and rest of the walls in pure white. we have a teal sofa and the fireplace tiles look exactly the same as the one given on web page for ‘TERRIFICALLY TWO-TONED’ fireplace. could you suggest any color in greenish gray
Thanks
Hello Jyoti! Consider for the following colors for your project:
Evergreen Fog SW 9130
Pewter Green SW 6208
Rosemary SW 6187
Should I paint my mantle high reflective white like my trim?
Yes, your mantel and trim should be the same color. They are both parts of the architectural detain in your home.
I have an open concept house. Living room, dining room and kitchen. I have white trim and white cabinets with walls in the color crocodile tears. I hate white cabinets!!! I was thinking to have them in needlepoint navy and the walls fawn brindle. Husband doesn’t think it is light enough. All back of the house is windows and French door to the deck. thought of loggia, alpaca and slumber sloth as alternatives… Help please. He does not like anew gray.
Hello Jennifer, for a job of this scope and detail, you would benefit best from a one-on-one virtual consult with one of our designers. You can schedule a “real-time” appointment with a designer when you sign up. This virtual consult will allow the designer to see your space and lighting which would be the best option for your project. Click the following link to get started. https://homeowner.sherwin-williams.com/colorconsult/
Need assistance on color to paint FP
Need assistance with color for FP. We have a double sided FP with red Brick. Mantle is natural oak. Trim is white. Dark brown wood floors. Just painted on room reflection. The other room is currently dark green (not SW) but will be painted either reflection of steely gray. Should we white wash brick or go dark-something like cyber space?
Hi Kelly! White washing your fireplace would be a much better option as it allows you to choose any color family you want now and in the future and highlights the double sided see through bonus of your fireplace.
Hello, hoping for some advice, we have our walls painted with Drift of Mist SW9166, this includes the top of the fireplace above the mantel. We have darker wood floors that trend to the brown / grey spectrum. The trim is Pure White SW7005 We have a floating wood mantel that is natural wood. The question is what stain color or paint color should I go with for the floating mantel ?
Hi Todd! Consider staining your floating mantel the same color as your darker wood floors – this will create a cohesive, curated palette.