|

How To Paint A Fireplace Mantel White

Are you looking for an easy and inexpensive way to makeover your living room? Painting just one thing in space can give it a fresh look. Learn how to paint a fireplace mantel white to help update your living room.

Painted oak fireplace mantel with white paint.

*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read our full privacy policy.

We recently added a wonderful new screened-in porch to our house off of our family room. From our living room you would look out at this new construction. It definitely made our old oak mantel look even more dated compared to the fresh white and gray built porch.

What is the easiest way to makeover a fireplace or space?

You may be shocked on this one, but I am going to say that paint is the easiest way to makeover your brick fireplace or mantel.

(Yea, I know you aren’t shocked, we use paint around here ALL the time).

I do love DIY painting projects. If you are pressed for time or just looking for a quick way to update your living room the paint is the way to go. Here are the steps we used to paint our oak mantel white.

Read More>>>13+ Amazing DIY Red Brick Fireplace Makeovers

Updating Our Fireplace Mantel

Now was my time to figure out some good DIY projects to help update our space so that the outdoor and indoor spaces worked together! One of the first projects we knew we had to do was to do a small DIY fireplace makeover.

The “Before” Oak Mantel

Oak mantle on stone fireplace with gold and black fireplace cover.

When we moved into this house, everything was oak! I know no one wants all that orange oak in their house.

We have painted molding, doors, gel stained bathroom vanity cabinets and painted pillars as one of our cheap basement makeover ideas. Once our new screened-in porch was complete, our fireplace mantel stood out like a sore thumb.

Recommended Supplies

How To Paint Oak Fireplace Mantel White

Step 1: Sand Mantel

Lightly sand with the grain of the wood. This is to clean up any debris and will help the primer stick. Your goal is to just scuff up the surface to help your primer adhere.

Fine sand paper being used to lightly rough up oak mantle before painting for DIY fireplace makeover.

Step 2: Use A Deglosser

Using a soft cloth or paper towel, pour some of the deglosser on and rub it all over the oak wood. We use this product all the time to prep surfaces before painting.

Oak mantle using a deglosser to prep for painting.

Step 3: Apply Primer

Carefully apply the bonding primer to the clean wood. The most important part of this part is that you make sure to cover everything while not allowing it to drip.

It will not be super pretty, yet, but it will be covered with the primer.

You can also paint with a small foam roller for the larger flat areas. This will help you get a smoother finish.

hand holding paint brush with primer on it and part of oak mantel painted white.

Step 4.: Let Primer Dry

I ended up painting this mantel during my kids’ naps on three different days. You could do this DIY fireplace makeover in one day, you just have to make sure each layer of primer or paint has dried before going to the next layer.

Half of oak mantle primed with the other part still needed to be primed.

Step 5: Use Latex Enamel Paint

Paint two coats of latex white enamel paint to create a finished DIY mantel makeover. Originally we used Sherwin Williams ProClassic Latex Enamel in Pure White.

We now recommended Sherwin Williams Urethane Trim Enamel when painting oak. This product was amazing to work with when we painted our oak kitchen cabinets white.

Before and After

before oak mantel with arrow pointing to after fireplace mantel painted white.

Read more>>>Pick the Right White Paint Color For Oak

Mantel Painting Tips

  • Use caulk to fill any gaps in your mantel if needed before priming. There is one small spot in the picture above, but for the most part, my fireplace mantel did not need caulking.
  • Place the brush in a sealed large Ziploc bag when you are not using it. This way you only have to wash a brush once. *Don’t be like me and forget about them or else it can be a little more difficult to paint.
  • Paint with the wood grain for a nice and smooth look.

How-To FAQs

What paint should you use to paint a fireplace mantel?

In the past, we have used Sherwin Williams Proclassic White Enamel Paint in semi-gloss.
However, after repainting our kitchen cabinets, I would recommend Sherwin Williams Urethane Trim Enamel to paint your oak mantel. The Proclassic line worked really well, but this newer Emerald paint has such an amazing finish.

Can you use Benjamin Moore Paint?

Yes, Benjamin Moore Advance is a similar product to SW Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel.

What if I don’t want to see any of the grain?

If you are concerned about grain, then we recommend a product called Aquacoat Grain Filler. You apply it in thin layers before you begin primer and sand it to a smooth finish.

Can you use a paint sprayer?

Yes, you will get wonderful results if you know what you are doing. Since our mantel wasn’t that big we were very happy using a quality paint brush and small foam roller.

Follow us on Pinterest, Youtube or Facebook for more DIY inspiration!

Related Reading

I love how our finished mantel and updated fireplace cover look. This was just enough to help refresh our living room cheaply. However, I am still not sold on the brown-colored stone that makes up our fireplace. One day soon we may make the stone whitewashed or painted like when this brick fireplace was painted white.

I am not 100% sure if these DIY paint techniques will work on the rough fireplace stone I have. For now, we are happy with our more modern-looking and white fireplace mantel.

If you like this tutorial, please give it 5 stars below 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩. Your support helps us continue to bring you more free and budget-friendly DIYs.

How To Paint An Oak Fireplace Mantel White

Learn how to easily paint your fireplace mantel with a brush and small foam roller.
Print Tutorial
Painted oak fireplace mantel with white paint.
Prep:30 minutes
Active Time:2 hours
Dry Time:2 days
Total Time:2 days 2 hours 30 minutes

Equipment

  • Paintbrush
  • Small Foam Roller

Supplies

  • Deglosser
  • 220 Fine sandpaper
  • Painter’s Tape
  • Bonding Primer
  • White Latex Enamel Paint Our Current Favorite is SW Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel

Instructions

  • Lightly sand mantel.
  • Wipe down surface with deglosser on rag. Make sure mantel is dust free.
  • Use bonding primer with a brush and small foam roller to apply primer.
  • Let primer fully dry.
  • Apply two coats of latex enamel paint using a brush and small foam roller.
  • Let fully dry and cure before decorating your white mantel.

Notes

  • Use a small foam roller for a smooth finish. You will only need to use a brush in areas the roller cannot reach.
  • Make sure to let each layer of primer and paint fully dry before moving on to the next step.
  • Paint with the wood grain for a nice and smooth look.
Author: Erin Nutter
Cost: $25

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tutorial Rating




I accept the Privacy Policy

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

18 Comments

  1. Jenn Summers says:

    Great job! It really brightens it up. I love the mantle what a perfect place for decor. I might just need to install a fake fireplace hahaha

    1. Thanks, Jenn. A mantel is a perfect place for DIY home decor items. Maybe it will be a new post sometime in the near future!

  2. Breanna / Messy Buns and Mom Jeans says:

    This is soooo beautiful!!

    1. Thanks, Breanna! I am glad you like our DIY fireplace/mantel makeover!

  3. I love a good fireplace DIY. A small project like this can make such a big difference!

    1. Hi Kamry! Yes this simple and easy fireplace update really made a difference in our living room!

  4. You did a fabulous job! Well done! And great step by step instructions!

    1. Hi Jaimi! Thanks for the kind words. I love when easy DIY projects can really help transform a space. Paint really works wonders!

    2. Hi Jaimi! Thanks for the kind words. I love when easy DIY projects can really help transform a space. The paint really works wonders!

  5. I absolutely love DIYs and this one is simply good.

    1. Thanks, Supriya! I love when DIY projects can update a space while staying on budget!

  6. Derek| The Money Family says:

    Looks great! I love painting over that old oak style. It totally transforms the room.

    1. Hi Derek. Thanks for the kind comment. We are slowly getting rid of all the OAK in our house! Oak has got to go!

  7. I absolutely love what you did! Keeper!

    1. Hi, Anges. Thanks. We love when a simple DIY paint technique can help update a space.

    2. Hi, Anges. Thanks. We love it when a simple DIY paint technique can help update a space.

  8. Trina Welch says:

    Looks great! You did a great job.

    1. Thank you. We love when a little paint can really update a space.