Decorating
Spotted! 10 Ways to Turn Exposed Brick Into Art
Could you transform your exposed brick wall into a masterpiece? Be inspired by those who have
Do you have a brick wall at home that you’re not sure what to do with – whether to leave it as is, or paint it a paler colour? Leaving brick exposed has been in and out of fashion in the past few decades, but it’s safe to say that it’s definitely in right now. While many homeowners are opting to lighten their brown or red brick walls by painting them white, why stop there? There are many other possibilities: you can work with the brick to create some stunning features or turn the wall into a work of art, as these ideas show.
2. Blend it with other elements
This is a stunning backdrop to a bedroom that could easily work for a teenage or guest room. I love how the colours in the room work with those in the mural. The pale blue cushion picks out the colour of the eyeshadow, while the red cushion and lamp match the subtle red streak in the dark hair. An expert artist would be needed to pull this look off – don’t try at home without doing your research first.
Tip: Be sure to prep your wall before you paint it. The result will depend on your ‘canvas’ so be sure to give your brick wall a thorough clean, removing dust, dirt and cobwebs followed by washing with a mild solution of soap and water. Ensure it’s completely dry before you start.
This is a stunning backdrop to a bedroom that could easily work for a teenage or guest room. I love how the colours in the room work with those in the mural. The pale blue cushion picks out the colour of the eyeshadow, while the red cushion and lamp match the subtle red streak in the dark hair. An expert artist would be needed to pull this look off – don’t try at home without doing your research first.
Tip: Be sure to prep your wall before you paint it. The result will depend on your ‘canvas’ so be sure to give your brick wall a thorough clean, removing dust, dirt and cobwebs followed by washing with a mild solution of soap and water. Ensure it’s completely dry before you start.
3. Make it a feature
How lovely is this? Paint the rest of the bricks bright white, leaving a brick wall feature to dramatically peek through – thus creating a simple but stunning artwork.
How lovely is this? Paint the rest of the bricks bright white, leaving a brick wall feature to dramatically peek through – thus creating a simple but stunning artwork.
The exposed brick circle inside is echoed on the home’s exterior, telling the story of the recycled red bricks used in this weekender’s construction.
4. Tear it up
Here’s an interesting idea – consider tearing down some of the plasterwork to reveal a rough section of bricks for a distinctive and edgy look. When exposed brick walls went out of fashion in the 1980s and ’90s, many were plastered over – a treatment like this reveals a little of a home’s history.
15 ways to trick out your exposed brick wall
Here’s an interesting idea – consider tearing down some of the plasterwork to reveal a rough section of bricks for a distinctive and edgy look. When exposed brick walls went out of fashion in the 1980s and ’90s, many were plastered over – a treatment like this reveals a little of a home’s history.
15 ways to trick out your exposed brick wall
5. Highlight history
In our quest to modernise a home and make it our own, it’s all too easy to cover up the building’s past. But leaving a little of a structure’s past in place gives new homes some welcome character. This house used to be a boot maker’s shop; the remnants of a painted sign adds soul to the staircase in the otherwise contemporary home.
In our quest to modernise a home and make it our own, it’s all too easy to cover up the building’s past. But leaving a little of a structure’s past in place gives new homes some welcome character. This house used to be a boot maker’s shop; the remnants of a painted sign adds soul to the staircase in the otherwise contemporary home.
6. Urbanise
A brick wall in an adult den or a teenagers’ retreat can be given a lift with funky murals worthy of an urban street scene.
Tip: Any rough bricks can be sanded back to make the surface smoother, making it easier to paint on.
A brick wall in an adult den or a teenagers’ retreat can be given a lift with funky murals worthy of an urban street scene.
Tip: Any rough bricks can be sanded back to make the surface smoother, making it easier to paint on.
Go for simple patterns that you or your teenager could even try yourselves. Easy-to-paint symbols or numbers like these give an edge to a kid’s bedroom. The colours work the room with a dramatic black and white palette throughout.
Tip: Exposed brick can be quite porous, so you will need to use more paint than you think as the wall will absorb lots of it.
See more contemporary kids’ rooms
Tip: Exposed brick can be quite porous, so you will need to use more paint than you think as the wall will absorb lots of it.
See more contemporary kids’ rooms
7. Brighten up
Alternatively, enliven a plain brick wall in a bedroom with bright colours, words and symbols.
Tip: Use a primer before you start painting, especially if painting dark bricks a light colour.
Alternatively, enliven a plain brick wall in a bedroom with bright colours, words and symbols.
Tip: Use a primer before you start painting, especially if painting dark bricks a light colour.
8. Leave a bit of wear
The contrast of the old bricks left to show their wear and tear and the stark white updated interior reveals a bit of the history of this home.
Bare your home’s soul with exposed brick
The contrast of the old bricks left to show their wear and tear and the stark white updated interior reveals a bit of the history of this home.
Bare your home’s soul with exposed brick
9. Mix bricks
The bricks themselves can be the featured art if you have a combination of colours. Here, salvaged bricks mixed with glazed coloured bricks form a pattern. The salvaged bricks have been cleaned to a point, but existing marks were left for their distinctive look.
The bricks themselves can be the featured art if you have a combination of colours. Here, salvaged bricks mixed with glazed coloured bricks form a pattern. The salvaged bricks have been cleaned to a point, but existing marks were left for their distinctive look.
10. Add art
If you lack the confidence to paint straight onto the brick, here’s another idea. Use the exposed brick as a backdrop for a suitably fitting painting, such as the one pictured here.
If you lack the confidence to paint straight onto the brick, here’s another idea. Use the exposed brick as a backdrop for a suitably fitting painting, such as the one pictured here.
Tell us
Have you transformed an exposed brick wall? Let us know – or show us – in the Comments.
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Browse more home design ideas
Have you transformed an exposed brick wall? Let us know – or show us – in the Comments.
More
Browse more home design ideas
Transform an outdoor dining space by painting a stunning and colourful mural on your brick wall. If you’re not an artist yourself, commission an artist or ask a creative friend to do it for you.
See more of this Perth house