Elegant Rustic Brick Wall Kitchen Decor Ideas You’ll Love

Brick already has texture, color and pattern, so the best decor for it is calm and a little restrained. Pair it with warm wood, soft textiles, simple art and good lighting, and let the wall do the talking.

If you have an exposed brick wall in the living room, don't feel pressure to fix it. Most of the work is deciding what to put in front of it and how much. The ideas below cover decor, color, small rooms and painted options.

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What decor looks good on a brick wall?

Brick is busy, with hundreds of small lines from the mortar joints. Decor that is too busy competes with it, so choose pieces with clear shapes and some breathing room around them.

• Large framed art or a single big mirror. One large piece reads better than ten small ones on a textured surface.
• Simple wood shelves in oak, walnut or reclaimed boards, styled with a few books, a bowl and a plant.
• Metal-framed pieces, such as black iron sconces or a thin brass-framed mirror.
• Woven wall hangings or a wooden rail with a hanging basket, which add softness against hard masonry.

As an architect, I'd leave at least a third of a brick wall empty. Negative space keeps the texture visible and stops the wall from feeling cluttered. If you want ideas for a similar setup, see more brick wall living room decor ideas.

How do you hang things on brick?

Drill into the mortar joints, not the bricks themselves. Mortar is softer, easier to patch and less likely to crack. Use masonry anchors rated for the weight of the piece. For heavy mirrors or shelves, check with a licensed contractor if you're unsure about the wall's condition, especially in older buildings where mortar can be crumbly.

Renters have lighter options: leaning a large frame on a console or sideboard, or using brick clips that grip the edge of a brick without drilling.

What color goes best with a brick wall?

Start with the brick's undertone. Warm red, orange or brown brick looks good with cream, oatmeal, olive green, deep navy and honey-toned wood. Gray or taupe brick suits white, charcoal, muted blue and brushed metals.

Keep the sofa, rug and curtains in a quiet range and add one or two accent colors in pillows or art. Strongly saturated colors next to red brick can feel loud. Muted versions of the same hues are easier to live with.

Light changes how brick looks. Daylight brings out the texture, while warm bulbs push it redder. Hold paint and fabric samples against the wall in the morning and again in the evening before you commit.

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How to make a brick wall look pretty

Light it on purpose

Texture needs side light. A picture light, a wall washer or a floor lamp placed close to the wall creates small shadows in the mortar lines and makes the surface look deeper. Matte finishes absorb light and soften shadows, so a matte-finished brick wall will look gentler than a sealed glossy one.

Soften it with textiles and plants

Brick is hard and can echo sound. A thick rug, linen curtains and an upholstered sofa in front of it make the room feel warmer and quieter. A leafy plant in front of the wall adds contrast, though if you share your home with a dog or cat, check with your vet about which plants are safe before you buy.

Keep it clean

Raw brick sheds dust. A soft brush or a vacuum with a brush attachment does the job. If the wall is next to a dog bed or a favorite sofa spot, a breathable masonry sealer can make wiping easier, but test it on a hidden patch first.

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Rustic, modern or simple: choosing a style

Rustic brick wall living room decor leans on reclaimed wood, leather, wool throws, iron and a lived-in rug. It works well with a fireplace and low, warm lighting.

For a more modern look, keep the lines clean: a low-profile sofa, a slim metal floor lamp, a black-framed print and very few accessories. The contrast between smooth furniture and rough brick is what makes it feel current.

If you want the simplest approach, pair the wall with a single statement: a large mirror, a long shelf or one oversized artwork. Then keep everything else neutral.

Brick fireplace and mantel styling

A brick fireplace is often the focal point, so style the mantel with restraint. A common starting point is odd-numbered groupings: a tall item, a medium one and a low one, with varied heights. Add a mirror or art above, leaning or hung, and leave space on each side.

Keep anything flammable, like candles and dried branches, well away from an active firebox. For a TV above the fireplace, check the heat clearance in the manufacturer's instructions.

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Small living rooms with brick

In a small room, brick can feel heavy. A few moves help:

• Use brick on the farthest wall, so it adds depth instead of closing in the space.
• Choose light upholstery and pale curtains.
• Hang a large mirror on an adjacent wall to bounce light toward the brick.
• Choose furniture with visible legs, so you can see floor underneath.

If the wall still feels too dark, painting or whitewashing is an option.

Painted, whitewashed and faux brick

Whitewash or limewash thins the color but keeps the texture, so the wall looks lighter and softer. Full paint is bolder and harder to undo, since brick is porous and absorbs it. I recommend testing a small, hidden area first and deciding whether you can live with the result permanently.

If your wall isn't real brick, brick tile and veneer give a similar look. Pick ones with some variation in color and mortar depth, since flat, repeating patterns tend to look fake. For related ideas, see these brick interior wall decor ideas and these accent wall ideas.

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Frequently asked questions