15 Ways to Style Exposed Brick Walls

brick wall with wood dresser and gold frame artwork — Photo:
Tria Giovan

Out with the old? Not so fast. If you're struggling to design around an exposed brick wall, we've uncovered the best ways to highlight its charm—no matter your interior design style. Whether your brick wall is a bold contrast to your home’s more refined aesthetic or it blends in seamlessly with the architecture’s historical style, show it off with one of these design ideas.

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Carve Out a Built-In

When you’re working with existing brick structures, you might have to get creative with furnishings. One way to ensure the perfect piece for a brick nook is to create a built-in. Not only can it simplify your dimension requirements, but it can also ensure the piece is highly functional for your needs and that of your space.

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Use It as a Canvas

Kitchen with exposed brick fireplace — Edmund Barr

There are few elements that can add as much historic appeal as a brick fireplace in the kitchen. Make it a canvas for showing off art collections or other pieces that add personality and color to the space.

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Embrace Old-World Style

Dining room with exposed brick wall — Tria Giovan

There’s a historical slant to brick that can’t be denied. The more rugged and worn, the more old-world charm it has. To lean into this aesthetic, choose furnishings and decor elements with character and vintage appeal to really draw out the historical appeal.

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Add Your Own Brick Wall

Living room with exposed brick wall — David A Land

If you’ve inherited a brick wall, consider yourself lucky. Not only can it add a rustic element to your space, but it also lends texture, warmth, and style. But those of us who have simple sheetrock walls can get in on the action too. Faux brick, brick-look wallpaper, and even brick tiles can all be called on to provide a similar style.

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Pair Brick with Modern Elements

Modern rustic kitchen — Annie Schlechter

While it can be tempting to go all in on rustic details or old-world charm, you can also let a more contemporary style shine. Incorporating modern finishes like white walls, black countertops, and, sleek Scandinavian-style furnishings can add an appealing juxtaposition.

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Install Floating Shelves

Even a pretty, rustic brick wall can have a purpose that goes far beyond aesthetics. Floating shelves allow for kitchen storage (an absolute must), but don't hide the exposed brick wall the way traditional cabinetry would.

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Exposed Brick Wall Decor

Don’t be afraid to bust out the drill and add even more style to your brick wall. Small hooks can be used for everything from hanging art to indoor plants. Get creative by mixing materials, objects, textures, and colors.

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Exposed Brick Headboard

Bedroom with exposed brick wall used as headboard — Nicolas Gourguechon

No headboard? No problem. When working with a single brick wall in a bedroom, be sure to place the bed against it if at all possible. This will ensure you’re able to draw attention to this statement-making feature.

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Partial Exposed Brick Wall

Rustic farmhouse bathroom — Ann VanderWiel Wilde

In some instances you’ll have to think outside the box, whether because only half was salvageable or you simply prefer to install brick only halfway up the wall. In this bath, a shelf is installed between the brick and shiplap sections, providing both a storage solution and a way to bridge both materials.

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Make It a Focal Point

exposed brick wall in dining room — Michael Partenio

A brick chimney in an elegant dining room can add character and interest. Opting for a neutral palette of white, soft gray, and brown allows this brick feature to become a focal point in the room.

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Exposed Brick Paired with Wood

Rustic reclaimed wood and brick make the perfect pair. You can draw out both the color and texture in your brick by adding wood elements that act as a type of highlighter. Here, a wood beam with inset lights installed over the sink anchors the space and adds interest.

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Embrace Exposed Brick Accents

Just because it’s a small sliver of brick doesn’t mean it isn’t worth salvaging. This is usually more common in older homes where additions were built onto existing spaces, but it can also be used as a strategy to lend character and historic charm to new builds as well.

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Painted Exposed Brick Ideas

Dining room with white brick wall — David A Land

While the natural color of brick can be worth holding onto, there are some circumstances where painting brick can make it work better for your space or aesthetic. To keep the appeal of the brick, apply a thin layer of paint so the imperfections, divots, and character of the brick can shine.

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Retain Original Elements

Brick fireplace in formal dining room — Brie Williams

If you’re embarking on a full home renovation, try to find ways to hold onto historical elements, like an all-brick original fireplace, to retain some of the charm and character of the original dwelling. After all, some things are just built to last.

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Embrace Imperfections

Your brick doesn’t need to be in pristine condition in order to shine in your space. Whether it’s imperfect grouting, layers of paint, or chipping bricks, let this rustic material do its thing while adding undeniable charm and appeal.

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