What colour do I get fire surround painted?

[NeverTalksToStrangers]

We need more light in the room, so definitely lighter colour. I know it's not the ugliest fireplace in the world, but it's also not the prettiest. Thoughts?

What colour is the rest of the room ?

What is it made of?

@GoodnightGrandma

What colour is the rest of the room ?

This is all subject to change (getting painted/new wallpaper etc, will be pale colours). Getting new curtains that are mostly white/cream with pastels and grey. Sofa has flecks of grey/white/black. Floor is rustic oak.

@SoupDragon

What is it made of?

Mahogany I think?

Furniture all mahogany too but can be replaced/painted also. Some of it needs to go.

I'd paint it black and then make the rest of the room lighter.

It's lovely, I wouldn't paint it. I'd change the colour of the walls to a warmer colour, perhaps cream to match the tiles.

You could paint it in with the walls - are you changing the wall colour?
Could we see pics of the rest of the room to advise? Hard to tell from only one pic. A lighter framed mirror above the fire would be good.

I think I'd stick with black or white. Maybe go with something that's similar to the sand colour of the tiles.

The good thing is that it can always be repainted if you don't like it!

On the assumption that it isn't original, I'd probably change it for a fire surround I liked though. Especially if I was redecorating.

I would paint it white or a very pale cream/grey.

House is mid-90s so not 'original'.

Black isn't an option. The room is really dark despite light walls and big window (think there is some sort of privacy tint on the window). The cream in the tiles is very yellow in person (could also be dirt, lol) and won't go with the sofa. I don't like it when the fireplace matches the wall completely. Contemplating changing the tiles.

Room is a mess and I hate so much of the furniture etc I'm reluctant to add more photos ... might tidy and do it.

Why don’t you get a new fireplace ?
It’s big and old fashioned. If you keep it I’d definitely change the tiles.

It's not original, you don't like it, you are decorating... I would absolutely remove it and put something in that I liked! Even if you can't afford to replace it right now, I'd definitely take it out before doing any wallpapering.

A black fireplace isn't going to make the rest of the room appear dark if the walls are light. That said, it's your choice to not want a black fire surround but painting it a light colour just won't look right on such a traditional looking fire.

It'd be white for me.

Remove it and replace with something in a lighter wood. It's quite a big surround something less ornate would probably help lighten the feel of the room

Sometimes I think I'm living in a parallel universe. That fireplace is gorgeous, I'd absolutely love it in my home. I love the tiles, the metalwork, the black slate hearth against the wooden floors.

If I were going to paint it I'd go for a rich creamy colour. White would be too harsh.

It's lovely OP. Make a feature of it. Dress it up a little and make it the heart of the room.

Whatever you do with it, it's going to look wrong in a 90s house. Sell it and get rid of the fireplace altogether or buy one in keeping with a modern house.

This is the sort of thing I mean so you still have the tiles and so on and just the wood surround being changed for something simpler

If the house is mid-1990s I wouldn't have that fire surround. If it's mid 1890s fine - I'd paint it white or strip it.

Sometimes I think I'm living in a parallel universe. That fireplace is gorgeous, I'd absolutely love it in my home. I love the tiles, the metalwork, the black slate hearth against the wooden floors.

Lol. it's not a parallel universe, it's just people having different tastes. It would be so dull if we all liked the same things!

I'd replace it since it isn't appropriate for your house. If you're careful removing you should be able to sell it. Otherwise paint it cream or (my out there suggestion) a deep pink.

Would rather not get new as budget doesn't stretch that far, lol. Its huge too. Chimney breast is very wide. It probably looks from that pic like there's no chimney breast. New one would cost a fortune.

It is old fashioned but it's a biggish room so it kinda suits it.

The look I'm going for is much brighter. Think whites and pastels with grey.. in my head it looks amazing and modern and fresh... fingers crossed...

Part of the reason I was asking was that I'd quite like to paint it with some sort of stone effect.. but thought it might be too intricate?

My house was built in the 90s, yes, but it's not a very 90s look. It's kinda hard to date looking at it and the decor is that mix of not too modern or trendy or old fashioned.

@SoupDragon

It's not original, you don't like it, you are decorating... I would absolutely remove it and put something in that I liked! Even if you can't afford to replace it right now, I'd definitely take it out before doing any wallpapering.

That's not the area I would be wall pampering. I currently have paper on the two walls either side of the chimney breast. It's nice but a dark colour. I'm planning on making everything fresher, bar the floor and sofa. My friend did similar, painted a dark fireplace and it totally updated the whole look. Worst case scenario, it's an experiment.