Fireplace mantel reveal! See the before and after pictures of our orange-brown oak wood fireplace mantel makeover with paint. Learn how to paint a wood mantel in just 3 easy steps and the best paint to use for durability!
The DIY paint tutorial and supply list is included. This is such a quick and easy DIY home improvement project!
My Fireplace Mantel Reveal! A Makeover with Paint… With Before and After Pictures!
One of the things that I’ve been wanting to change in our home is the color of our brown wood fireplace mantel. The dark orangey wood color is too drab for the bright airy look I’m aiming for in my living room design.
So painting our wood fireplace mantel white was at the top of our to-do list.
Here’s our brown wood fireplace mantel. It’s so boring with this orangey-brown stain and the undertones of this stain clash with the rest of the room.
See how we updated our windows and replace these dated brown woven shades with beautiful white faux wood blinds!
Updating our window shades- Faux Wood Blinds Installation
Now it’s fresh and white and lovely!
….and here’s what our fireplace looks like now! We also painted the tile white!
This post may contain affiliate links. There is no additional charge to you, you just get to check out some beautiful things I love!
Here is how I painted our wood mantel:
Supplies:
- I used 1 can of this white enamel semi-gloss paint
- paint brush – I love this one because it has a short handle and is easier to hold onto!
- small high density foam paint roller
- paint cup with magnetic paint brush holder
- 220 grit sandpaper
- tack cloth
- painter’s tape – this is my favorite one for crisp lines and no paint bleeding!
What Is the Best Interior Paint To Use On Wood?
**Note! It’s really important to use this enamel paint because it creates a very strong bond with the wood and a VERY tough, durable surface, so you can decorate your mantel for everyday (and for Christmas!) and not worry about it chipping or scratching.
This enamel paint also doesn’t yellow and has great flow and leveling!
Tutorial – How To Paint A Wood Fireplace Mantel:
1. After taping off the mantel area with painter’s tape, lightly sand with 220 grit sandpaper the entire mantle with sandpaper (wrapped around a piece of wood acting as a sanding block).
2. Remove all dust and debris with a tack cloth. A tack cloth is a tacky material picks up debris before and after sanding. It gives a smooth and blemish-free finish so don’t miss this step! It’s reusable so keep it for your next painting job!
3. Paint the mantel with 3 coats of paint white enamel semi-gloss paint using this paint brush, paint cup with magnetic paint brush holder and a small high density foam paint roller. Let each coat dry 24 hours.
What a difference! This white paint makeover really makes my mantel decor look gorgeous!
Here’s the ‘Before’ and ‘After’ again……What do you think?
Do you love the ‘after’ version as much as I do???
How to paint a wood fireplace mantel:
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Heather is a Designer and the owner of the Interior Design and Lifestyle website 
Looks so much better, Heather. Love the white against the soft grey!
Thanks so much Shauna!
Wonderful! You did such a great job.
It’s looking awesome, I love the white color!
This painted fireplace mantel looks so gorgeous!
Love it! What’s the name of the soft gray wall color? I love that!
Thanks Cori! The paint color is Sherwin Williams Mindful Grey and it is Gorgeous! It’s such a lovely soft grey that goes with lots of other colors! I’m really really loving greys right now! I have this color in our dining room and family room too!
I love this so much! Question: do you have to match the trim and tile with the same white? I know there are many shades and our trim is Cotton Balls by Benjamin Moore.
Hi Sarah! I didn’t match my trim because it was painted by the previous homeowner and I dont know what color it was! It’s a good idea to match the mantel paint color to the tile paint color if your mantel is white! xo Heather
The link to the paint you used on the mantle is no longer available. I was wondering if you had a recommendation for alternate paint. Or if you could provide the name so I can purchase it elsewhere. Thanks! Beautiful project!!
Hi – I updated the link! This is the paint I used https://rstyle.me/+6RZ9oqAWejYKUewvOxCiuQ Hope that helps! 🙂 Thank you – we really love this mantel makeover!
How did you paint the tile? Same paint? Did you have to sand it down first? I’ve never painted tile before!
All the instructions are in this post Samantha! 🙂
Thanks. I am painting the top to an old player piano. Before I use the white paint you recommend, what should I use to prime the piece? Thanks for your help
Hi – love the fireplace makeover. We have a very similar look on the fireplace in our bedroom. Was wondering if the paint discolored when you lit a fire?
Hi Hope! Thank you for your compliment! Our painted tile hasn’t discolored at all! 🙂
This was the inspiration to finally redo my fireplace after 8 years of hating it! I painted the mantel with the paint you suggested and it looks gorgeous.
I have a question I don’t know if you can answer. I wanted to paint my bathroom cabinets and I wasn’t sure if I could use this same paint.
Oh I’m so glad you were inspired and that you love your mantle painted! Isn’t it absolutely amazing the difference it makes in fresh white? 🙂 It don’t know if it can be used for cabinets – I haven’t used it on cabinets or bathroom cabinets. I’m so glad you are enjoying your mantle makeover!
I painted my very similar brown fireplace & bought all the supplies you suggested! Instead of semi gloss I used satin ! Love the way it looks so far have to do a third coat in the morning! Thank you for the tips very helpful!
Oh wonderful! I’m so glad you love your painted mantle and found my tutorial and tips helpful! 🙂 Doesn’t it make such a HUGE difference in your space?!! xo Heather
Is the link for the paint the actual white you used or tinted it a different color white? I’m
So excited to do this with your easy steps!! I ask most painted my
Living room
Mindful gray, but did repose gray, and I love it! Thanks so much!!
Yes – the paint I linked is the actual white that I used! 🙂 Have fun! 🙂
I had no idea tile could be painted! I love it. Our walls are Agreeable Gray with Extra White trim and our fireplace tile is beige. It doesn’t work. We’ve recently moved and painted, by the way. My husband will scratch his head when I tell him I want to paint the tile.