Brick Wall Design Inspiration to Transform Your Space

A brick wall already has texture, color and visual weight, so the best decor adds contrast and breathing room instead of competing with it. Pair it with smooth, soft and light elements, keep the wall from getting crowded, and let the mortar lines show.

If you have a brick wall in the living room, don't feel pressure to hide it or fill it. Most of the work is deciding what sits against it and what stays off it.

Save

What decor looks good on a brick wall?

Brick is rough and irregular, so it looks best next to things that are the opposite: smooth, flat or soft. One principle, one example: a polished metal frame or a glass-fronted cabinet shows off the grain of the brick, while another rough object beside it just blends into the noise.

• Large art with a simple frame. One big piece reads better on brick than many small ones.
• A mirror with a thin metal or wood frame, which bounces light into a wall that tends to absorb it.
• Floating shelves in wood or metal, kept sparse so the brick still shows between objects.
• A gallery wall with mixed frame sizes, if you leave generous space around each piece.
• Tall plants or hanging planters. Green looks good against red and brown tones, and it softens hard edges. If you share your home with a dog or cat, check with your vet or the ASPCA plant list before choosing.

As an architect, I'd hang fewer things than you think you need. Brick is already the pattern in the room.

Save

What color goes best with a brick wall?

Start with the brick's undertone. Red and terracotta brick have warm undertones, so cream, warm white, camel, olive, deep green and navy sit comfortably beside them. Gray or whitewashed brick is cooler, and it works with soft blues, charcoal, and crisp white.

Matching undertones keeps the palette calm. Mixing a very warm brick with a cool gray sofa can feel off, though a warm wood table in between often fixes it.

Check the light before you commit

Daylight deepens warm brick and shows its texture. Artificial light shifts the color: warm bulbs in the 2700-3000K range flatter red brick, while cooler bulbs suit gray or whitewashed brick. Look at your wall in the morning and at night before buying paint or fabric.

How to make a brick wall look pretty

Three things do most of the work: lighting, softness and balance.

1. Light the texture. Adjustable sconces or picture lights aimed along the wall create shadows in the mortar lines and make the surface look dimensional at night.
2. Add soft layers. Brick reflects sound, so a rug, curtains and a nubby throw make the room feel warmer and less echoey.
3. Balance the weight. A heavy wall needs lighter furniture in front of it: a sofa with visible legs, a slim console, a low media unit.

Brick that is dusty or crumbling will never look pretty, so brush it down and ask a mason about loose mortar before you decorate. Sealing can reduce dust, but test it on a small patch first.

Save

Rustic and modern styling for brick

For rustic brick wall living room decor, lean into natural materials: reclaimed wood beams, a leather chair, wool throws, woven baskets and warm bulbs. Keep metal finishes matte or aged.

For a modern look, keep the palette tight and the surfaces clean. Think a low neutral sofa, black metal accents, a single large artwork and plenty of empty wall. If you want more ideas in that direction, see our post on modern brick walls.

Styling a brick fireplace

A brick fireplace is the natural focal point, so keep the mantel simple. A mirror or one large piece of art, a pair of lamps or candlesticks, and a small plant is plenty. Vary heights and leave gaps. If you like the character of an older hearth, our rustic brick fireplace ideas go deeper.

Keep anything flammable, including fabric and dried arrangements, away from an active firebox, and have a chimney professional inspect it if you plan to use it.

Save

Exposed brick in small rooms

A full brick wall can make a compact room feel closer. Paint the other walls a light, reflective shade, keep furniture low, and use layered lighting so the texture doesn't swallow the room. A single brick wall behind the sofa is usually enough. If it feels too dark, whitewashing or limewashing brightens it while leaving the mortar lines visible. Test a sample patch, because it can't be undone easily.

Whitewashed, painted and faux brick

Whitewash gives you airy and modern, but you lose some of the contrast. Full paint makes the wall look flatter and is hard to reverse. Renters can try peel-and-stick brick panels or brick-look wallpaper, which give the texture without touching the real wall. Brick veneer or tile is a lower-maintenance option for walls that were never brick in the first place.

Want to compare with other wall treatments? Our posts on shiplap walls and more brick wall living room ideas are good next stops.

Save

Using the wall to organize the room

In an open plan, a sofa with its back to the brick can separate the living and dining zones. Orient seating toward the wall if you want it to be the focal point, and anchor the group with a rug. Leave about 30-36 inches for the main walkway, and don't push shelves or consoles into the path.

Frequently asked questions