Brick Wall Living Room Decor: Ideas, Colors, Styling

A brick wall already has texture, color and pattern, so the best living room decor leaves it room to breathe. Pair it with a few large pieces, warm lighting and soft textiles, and keep everything else simple.

If your brick is red, orange or brown, lean on warm woods, cream and deep green. If it's painted or whitewashed, you have more freedom with color. Either way, it's an easy wall to dress.

Living room with an exposed brick wall and modern furniture arranged in front of it

What decor looks good on a brick wall?

Brick is busy at close range, with mortar lines and uneven faces, so small frames tend to disappear on it. Go bigger than you think you need.

Large art or a single oversized mirror. A mirror also bounces light across a textured surface.
Floating wood or metal shelves, which add depth and keep the wall visible around them.
A pair of sconces on each side of the sofa, so the brick gets a soft wash of light.
Trailing or tall plants. Their soft, irregular shapes are a good contrast to the grid of the bricks.
Woven wall hangings or a simple wood-framed canvas for a rustic feel.

Leave some bare brick between objects. A wall with a few well-spaced pieces looks deliberate. A wall covered edge to edge looks cluttered.

How do you hang things on brick?

Drill into the brick faces or use masonry anchors rather than the mortar, which crumbles. Hooks that clip into mortar joints work for light items. For anything heavy, like a big mirror or shelves, I recommend asking a licensed contractor to check what the wall is made of first, especially in an older building.

What color goes best with a brick wall?

Match the undertone. Warm red brick sits well with cream, camel, tan leather, warm woods and brass. Cooler or whitewashed brick works with crisp white, gray, concrete and matte black.

Olive and forest green are reliable partners for red brick, since green sits opposite red on the color wheel and calms it down. For a moodier room, try navy or charcoal in the upholstery and keep the rug light.

Test any color next to the brick in your own light, morning and evening. Warm bulbs make reds glow, while cool daylight mutes them.

Brick accent wall in a living room styled with art and warm wood decor

Exposed brick wall living room ideas by style

Rustic

Reclaimed wood mantels, jute rugs, linen curtains and a leather sofa lean into the brick's age. Keep the palette earthy and the textures layered.

Modern

Clean-lined furniture, a low media console, a large abstract print and black metal accents. Keep the number of objects low so the brick acts as the texture, not the theme.

Industrial

Steel shelving, concrete-look side tables and exposed bulbs. Add a wool throw and a soft rug so it doesn't feel like a warehouse.

Should you paint or whitewash brick?

Keep it natural if you like the warmth and the room gets decent daylight. Paint it if the brick feels dark or dated, or you want a uniform backdrop. Whitewash or limewash sits in between: it lightens the color and lets the mortar lines show through.

Painted brick is hard to undo, so be sure before you start. Brick is also porous, and it takes more paint than a drywall surface. If you rent, ask your landlord first, or look at removable brick-look panels or wallpaper instead.

Painted or whitewashed brick wall behind a sofa in a bright living room

How to make a brick wall look pretty in a small living room

Dark brick absorbs light, which can shrink a small room. A few fixes help:

Whitewash or paint it a pale color.
Choose low-profile furniture so the wall stays visible.
Use a mirror opposite a window to bring in daylight.
Limit brick to one wall rather than all four.

If you'd like more on small-room treatments, see more brick wall living room ideas.

Small living room where a brick wall is paired with low furniture and plants

Styling a brick fireplace

A brick fireplace wall is the classic case. Keep the mantel to a few objects: one large piece of art or a mirror, a couple of candlesticks or vases, and a plant. Vary the heights, and leave gaps.

If the brick is dark, a pale mantel or light art makes a clear contrast. If you have a pet, keep fragile items off low hearths and make sure any fire screen is secure.

Brick fireplace wall in a living room with a simply styled mantel

Lighting and textiles that suit brick

Aim for warm bulbs, roughly 2700K to 3000K, which flatter brick's natural tones. Picture lights, swing-arm sconces or an adjustable spotlight angled along the wall bring out the texture. Light from the side casts small shadows in each brick face, and that depth is what makes it look rich.

On the floor, a wool or jute rug in a color pulled from the brick ties the room together. If a dog lives with you, choose a washable or low-pile rug, since brick's rough surface can also snag fabric, so keep sofas a little away from it.

For more ideas, you may also like brick wall design inspiration and modern brick wall design ideas. If you're weighing a different texture, shiplap accent walls are worth a look.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 3-5-7 rule in decorating?

It's a styling guideline that groups objects in odd numbers, such as 3, 5 or 7, because uneven groupings tend to look more natural than pairs. On a brick wall or mantel, use it for small items and keep the groups spaced out.

Can you decorate a brick wall without drilling?

Yes. Lean large art or a mirror on a console or shelf, use mortar clips for light items, or style the wall with furniture and lighting instead. Heavy pieces should be anchored properly.

Does brick make a living room feel smaller?

Dark, deep-red brick can, because it absorbs light. Lighter paint or whitewash, good lighting and a mirror usually fix it.