26 Brick House Exterior Ideas: Transform Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Brick houses have always stood as symbols of strength and timeless elegance. But when it comes to giving your brick exterior a fresh new look, it’s not just about slapping on a coat of paint and calling it a day. There’s a whole world of creative possibilities out there, waiting for you to explore.
From blending colors to playing with textures, the brick exterior is your blank canvas, ready to showcase personality and style. So, let’s dive into the exciting world of brick house exterior ideas that can truly elevate your home’s curb appeal.
1. Classic Red Brick with White Trim
A staple in the brick house world, classic red brick with white trim is a time-honored combination that exudes warmth and charm. The contrast between the deep, rich red of the brick and the crispness of white trim is nothing short of striking.
This combo not only enhances the natural beauty of the brick but also offers versatility, allowing you to add various accents, such as black shutters or a brightly colored front door, to express your style. This classic look works for almost any architectural style, from Colonial to Victorian to even more contemporary homes.
2. Painted Brick for a Modern Touch
You don’t have to stick with the traditional look of exposed brick. Painted brick is becoming increasingly popular for homeowners seeking a more modern aesthetic. Opting for a soft gray or warm taupe can bring a sophisticated and sleek vibe to your home’s exterior.
The benefit of painted brick is that it allows you to completely reimagine your house’s style—creating a fresh, clean canvas. While the texture of brick will still shine through, the new color will make your home feel like it belongs in the pages of a design magazine.
3. Whitewashed Brick for Subtle Elegance
For those who want a softer, more subtle look, whitewashed brick is an excellent option. This style allows the natural texture and color of the brick to peek through the white finish, creating an elegant yet understated appearance.
Whitewashed brick is particularly suited to farmhouse, coastal, or even bohemian style homes, where a light and airy vibe is key. Pair it with natural wood accents or wrought iron elements to create a warm, welcoming, and sophisticated exterior.
4. Bold Charcoal and Black Brick Combinations
For those who prefer a more dramatic approach, charcoal or black brick combinations are making waves in modern home design. This sleek, sophisticated look gives your brick home a contemporary flair and works especially well in urban or industrial-style homes.
The contrast of black brick against light-colored trim or natural wood features can create a stunning visual effect. This exterior choice is perfect for those who want to push the boundaries of traditional design and turn their home into a showstopper.
5. Exposed Brick with Industrial Accents
Exposed brick offers a raw, authentic beauty that’s hard to replicate. To enhance the natural character of the brick, incorporate industrial-style accents like metal window frames, steel doors, or oversized light fixtures.
This style speaks to those who love the loft-style apartments or warehouse-inspired designs. It’s about embracing the imperfections and unique textures that come with the material. With the right balance of finishes, exposed brick can be both rugged and refined.
6. Neutral Beige and Tan Brick for a Warm, Inviting Look
Sometimes, less is more. Beige and tan brick offer a natural, earthy feel that pairs well with a variety of other materials, such as stone, wood, and metal. This combination is versatile and works in practically every setting, from suburban neighborhoods to country estates.
Whether you choose a soft, muted beige or a darker tan, this subtle exterior makes a welcoming statement while maintaining a sense of calm. These colors work especially well in Mediterranean-style homes and Spanish villas, where warmth and a laid-back vibe are key elements.
7. Adding a Touch of Green: Ivy and Brick
If you’re looking for something a bit more whimsical and rustic, why not let nature help you out? Growing ivy or other climbing plants on your brick exterior can create an enchanting, vintage-inspired look that transports you to another era.
Over time, ivy can form a lush green cloak around your brick walls, softening the harshness of the hard material and adding a layer of depth to the exterior. This idea works beautifully in older homes, cottages, or any space that could use a bit of organic charm.
8. Brick with Wood Accents for a Balanced Look
Combining brick and wood creates a harmonious blend of rustic warmth and architectural strength. The contrasting textures of the smooth, solid brick and the grainy, natural beauty of wood can balance each other out in the most wonderful ways.
Try pairing a red brick with wooden beams, cedar shingles, or even a wooden front door. The earthy tones of wood, combined with the sturdiness of brick, will create a timeless exterior that never goes out of style.
9. Multi-Tone Brick for Texture and Interest
If you want to add a bit of depth and texture to your brick exterior, consider using multi-tone bricks. These can include bricks in different shades of the same color or bricks that feature more dramatic color variations.
Multi-tone brickwork can add dimension to a flat, uninspiring facade and create a sense of movement and flow. Whether you opt for deep oranges and reds, subtle tans and grays, or a mix of everything, multi-tone brick offers a dynamic and visually appealing effect.
10. Light and Airy with Soft Gray Brick
Soft gray brick offers a refreshing alternative to the usual earthy tones found in brick houses. It’s a cooler, more contemporary color that adds a sense of calm and peace to any exterior. The neutral color pairs beautifully with modern materials like glass, steel, or wood.
If you’re looking to achieve a more minimalistic or Scandinavian-inspired look, soft gray brick is a fantastic choice. It works well in urban settings or areas where you want the exterior of the house to feel clean, light, and inviting.
11. Incorporating Stone with Brick for a Timeless Look
Combine the ageless appeal of brick with the rugged, earthy beauty of stone for a balanced exterior. Stone accents—whether along the base of the house or as part of the front entryway—can elevate your brick exterior and add visual interest.
Whether you opt for a traditional granite, limestone, or more natural-looking river stone, the combination of brick and stone creates a timeless, rustic charm that speaks to the durability and beauty of natural materials.
12. Eclectic Look with Mixed Materials
If you can’t decide between brick, wood, and stone, why not combine them all? The eclectic style encourages mixing and matching materials to create a one-of-a-kind look. Play with different textures and colors to create an exterior that stands out.
This design approach is perfect for those who want to express their creativity and infuse personality into their home. Just be sure to find a balance so the design doesn’t feel overwhelming.
13. Subtle Contrasts: Dark Brick with Lighter Accents
For a more understated yet sophisticated look, pair dark brick with lighter accents like cream-colored trim or soft wooden details. The deep, rich tones of dark brick create a grounded and solid base, while the light accents bring a fresh, airy feel to the exterior.
This approach can work in a variety of architectural styles, from modern to traditional. It’s an excellent choice for homeowners who want to keep things classy without going too bold or bright.
14. Brick with Modern Metallic Touches
For an ultra-modern approach, consider incorporating metallic elements such as steel, copper, or aluminum alongside your brick. These modern materials can provide a sleek contrast to the timeless appearance of brick, creating a striking combination of old and new.
Metallic accents around windows, doors, or even as part of the front porch railing can give your home a futuristic yet grounded vibe.
15. Traditional Colonial Charm with Red Brick and Columns
If you’re after that quintessential Colonial-style charm, you can’t go wrong with red brick paired with white columns. This combination oozes elegance and class, giving your home an American classic feel. With a large front door, symmetrical windows, and maybe even a portico, this look can transport your home back to a time of grandeur, while still looking perfectly at home in modern neighborhoods.
16. Warm, Earthy Tones with Beige and Brown Brick
If you’re drawn to nature-inspired colors, a combination of beige and brown brick can make your home feel like a part of the landscape. These earth-toned bricks evoke a sense of warmth and serenity. This palette pairs beautifully with greenery, whether it’s lush landscaping or natural stone pathways leading to the door. Brown brick in particular brings an organic, grounded feel, perfect for homeowners who want to merge their home with the natural world around them.
17. Mediterranean Vibes with Stucco and Brick
For a truly Mediterranean-inspired look, combine stucco and brick. This fusion creates a layered, textured exterior that’s simultaneously rustic and elegant. Opt for white stucco paired with warm-toned brick to mimic the look of a Mediterranean villa.
This combination works wonderfully in sunny climates and offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that is perfect for outdoor living spaces.
18. Transitional Style: Blending Brick with Glass and Wood
A transitional style home blends the best of both worlds, offering a mix of traditional and modern elements. Combining brick with large glass windows and natural wood accents helps to soften the rigidness of brick, making it feel more open and airy.
Whether it’s a glass-front entryway or wooden window shutters, the blend of these elements creates a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
19. Classic Tudor Look with Brick and Timber
The Tudor style, known for its steeply pitched roofs and exposed timber framing, pairs beautifully with brick. In this style, brick is often used on the lower portion of the house, with wooden beams and dark, pointed rooflines completing the look. This style offers a fairytale-like charm that is both cozy and inviting, while still exuding a sense of grandness.
20. Rustic Charm with Distressed Brick
If you love a rustic, worn-in charm, distressed or reclaimed brick might be your go-to option. The look of aged or weathered brick can create a sense of history and character in your home. This option works wonderfully for cottages, barns, or any home that aims to capture the feeling of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia.
21. Contemporary Look with Smooth, Sleek Brick
For a more minimalist, contemporary aesthetic, go for smooth, sleek brick that has no visible texture. These clean lines create a simple and streamlined appearance, perfect for modern homes that focus on form and function. This type of brick has a polished, sophisticated feel, often paired with large, expansive windows and minimalist landscaping.
22. Earthy Tones with Deep Terracotta
Terracotta bricks—with their rich, orange-red hue—can bring a sense of warmth and richness to your home’s exterior. These deep, earthy tones give your home a grounded yet vibrant aesthetic. Combine with neutral trim or wooden accents to balance out the boldness of the terracotta while adding texture and contrast.
23. Beachy, Coastal Vibes with Light Brick and White Trim
For homes located near the coast or those inspired by beachy vibes, pairing light-colored brick with white trim can create a breezy, coastal aesthetic. The soft, light hues of the brick reflect sunlight beautifully, giving your home a fresh, airy feel that complements the sea and sky. Add accents like woven wicker furniture or navy shutters, and you’ll have a true beach retreat.
24. New England Charm with Brick and Shingles
New England-style homes often feature a combination of brick and wooden shingles, creating a charming yet sophisticated exterior. The warm, reddish tones of the brick are complemented by the soft texture of the shingles, often in muted gray or beige shades. This mix evokes a feeling of timeless elegance, making it perfect for those who want a classic yet welcoming look.
25. Ultra-Modern Brick with Concrete and Steel
For homeowners seeking a cutting-edge, urban look, combine brick with concrete and steel. This industrial aesthetic combines the warmth of brick with the sleek, cold materials of modern design. It’s a bold, progressive style that speaks to those who want to make a statement with their home’s exterior.
26. Colorful Bricks for a Playful Pop
If you want to add some fun and whimsy to your brick home, why not try experimenting with different colors? Bold shades of blue, yellow, or even turquoise can infuse energy into your brick house’s exterior. Combine bright-colored brick with more neutral accents to balance things out. This playful look will make your home a standout in the neighborhood.
Conclusion
The possibilities for your brick house exterior are endless. Whether you lean toward the traditional or something more daring, these 26 brick house exterior ideas can help transform your home from average to extraordinary.
By combining materials, colors, and textures thoughtfully, you can create an exterior that reflects your unique style and stands the test of time. The key is to embrace the versatility of brick and use it to tell your own story. So, which of these ideas speaks to you? Your perfect brick exterior might be just one paint stroke or design tweak away!
