Exposed brick walls add character and charm to any room, go well with just about any décor theme, and don’t cost the earth. All great reasons to explore this design trend in your home! When done right, exposed brick walls can be the focal point of your home décor.
Check out our exposed brick wall ideas that just might inspire you to give your home a makeover!
Arched in brick
Brick arches are among the oldest structural elements in the construction world and have been used to advantage in this contemporary kitchen. The exposed brick wall in this lovely home offers glimpses of the classical wood-panelled kitchen through flat brick arches.
Modern chic
The earthiness of the double-height brick wall is in sharp contrast to the sleek, minimalistic lines of the all-white kitchen in this modern duplex. Sharply delineated plastering outlines each brick, giving it form and definition.
Also Read: Décor 101: Textured Walls for Cosy Rooms
Industrial-themed kitchen
The rough-hewn textures of the burnt brick wall play a key role in this industrial-style kitchen with white shaker cabinets and a cosy wood-topped island. The designer has eschewed overhead cabinets in favour of open shelving, with open metal-framed shelves comprising the rest of the storage.
Focal wall
The exposed brick wall adds visual interest, warmth and colour to this otherwise muted loft bedroom. The natural colours of brick lend themselves well to just about any colour palette, ranging from black and white to green, blue or yellow.
Laterite walls
Laterite bricks give this rustic-modern bathroom unusual depth and dimension. When using exposed bricks in places like bathrooms and kitchens that are prone to humidity, be sure to seal the surface well with a protectant. You can also achieve this look without much effort by using textured waterproof wallpaper.
Whitewashed charm
Love brick walls, but not the earthy colour? If you prefer the clean aesthetic of whitewashed walls, try your hand at a lime slurry wash that you can do yourself. Porous bricks will draw in the whitewash unevenly, giving a charmingly irregular appearance that works well in cottage-style themes.
Mud bricks
Inset between two white columns, these mud bricks have a different colour and texture than the traditional terracotta clay bricks. One of the most primitive building technologies, mud bricks have stood the test of time. They are made by mixing soil and water, adding in some natural fibres like straw to hold it together, and baking the bricks in the sun.
Caring for exposed brick walls
Not only does your exposed brick wall look good when it’s newly built—it doesn’t take much care to keep it looking this way forever!
Bricks are naturally porous, and applying a clear waterproof sealant with a matte finish is always a good idea, as it prevents the formation of mould over the years.
As part of your regular cleaning routine, all you need to do is to run your vacuum over the surface to remove the dust. Once a year, or perhaps when you are getting the rest of your home painted, the dust is likely to settle on the crevices and grooves in your exposed brick wall. You can ask your painters to carefully clean the surface of the exposed brick using mildly soapy water and a sponge. Finish off with a clean water rinse when done, and leave the wall to dry on its own.
There’s no doubt that the brick wall trend is here to stay! Would you like to try this in your home? Are you an exposed brick person, or a painted wall person?
This article is contributed by Dipti Das, VP-Design, HomeLane.com.
(The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of RoofandFloor)
