9 Ways to Jazz Up a Dull Exterior Brick Wall
Do your old brick or brick veneer wall look stale? Designers reveal 9 ways to turn that eyesore into a showstopper
Georgia Madden
1 February 2023
There’s no denying that bricks stack up well as a building material – they’re strong, insulating and translate beautifully to myriad home styles. But the truth is, when it comes to looks, not all exterior brickwork is created equal. If yours is less than appealing, here are nine tips from the experts on what you can do about it.
We’ve accompanied this story with images of beautiful brick walls from the Houzz archives to show you just what’s possible.
We’ve accompanied this story with images of beautiful brick walls from the Houzz archives to show you just what’s possible.
1. Learn how to clean your brick wall
“Giving it a good clean is definitely the cheapest way to improve its appearance,” says Rebecca Caldwell, director at Maytree Studios.
“Old brick can be acid washed to bring back its true colour,” says Vanessa Wegner, principal at Vanessa Wegner Architect. “But make sure it’s done by a professional as hydrochloric acid is used,” adds Wegner.
“Giving it a good clean is definitely the cheapest way to improve its appearance,” says Rebecca Caldwell, director at Maytree Studios.
“Old brick can be acid washed to bring back its true colour,” says Vanessa Wegner, principal at Vanessa Wegner Architect. “But make sure it’s done by a professional as hydrochloric acid is used,” adds Wegner.
2. Think about re-grout
“If a brick wall is looking tired and dull, it’s often because the grout needs replacing,” says Caldwell. “Re-grouting it will freshen up your exterior while ensuring your bricks are weather-tight.”
“Federation-style houses used to ‘tuckpoint’ the front facade of brickwork. This is essentially painting the mortar white so the bricks really stand out,” says Wegner. “If you’re renovating a Federation house, consider getting the brick re-tuckpointed. It can be expensive, but will really make your facade pop.”
Seeking an expert opinion on your exterior? Find a local architect on Houzz to help your home look its best
“If a brick wall is looking tired and dull, it’s often because the grout needs replacing,” says Caldwell. “Re-grouting it will freshen up your exterior while ensuring your bricks are weather-tight.”
“Federation-style houses used to ‘tuckpoint’ the front facade of brickwork. This is essentially painting the mortar white so the bricks really stand out,” says Wegner. “If you’re renovating a Federation house, consider getting the brick re-tuckpointed. It can be expensive, but will really make your facade pop.”
Seeking an expert opinion on your exterior? Find a local architect on Houzz to help your home look its best
“We know that contrasting grout is all the rage right now, but we prefer to stick with standard grey cement grout unless our clients are looking for something super interesting,” says Caldwell. “If you contrast the grout, particularly with colour, you really read each individual brick or block. This means that any dirty, old or worn bricks will stand out.
“Grey cement is more forgiving; we’re so used to seeing it that the eye tends to glance over it. If you have a dark red brick, a dark grey grout can look great, but you need to be aware it is a much ‘busier’ look than regular grey cement,” says Caldwell.
“We don’t tend to match the colour of grout to the brick as you never get it exactly right.”
“Grey cement is more forgiving; we’re so used to seeing it that the eye tends to glance over it. If you have a dark red brick, a dark grey grout can look great, but you need to be aware it is a much ‘busier’ look than regular grey cement,” says Caldwell.
“We don’t tend to match the colour of grout to the brick as you never get it exactly right.”
3. Reimagine your brick wall
“Don’t disguise your brick wall – embrace it and look at ways it can be reframed within the space,” says Caldwell. “Could you, for example, use the brick in sections to create warmth and texture beside minimal renovations elsewhere?”
Just be careful about what – and how much – you cover up, Caldwell warns. “With brick you have a perfectly water-tight, maintenance-free solution. The benefits of this should be weighed up against the long-term maintenance you create when you cover it up.”
“Don’t disguise your brick wall – embrace it and look at ways it can be reframed within the space,” says Caldwell. “Could you, for example, use the brick in sections to create warmth and texture beside minimal renovations elsewhere?”
Just be careful about what – and how much – you cover up, Caldwell warns. “With brick you have a perfectly water-tight, maintenance-free solution. The benefits of this should be weighed up against the long-term maintenance you create when you cover it up.”
4. Did you know you can bag a brick wall?
“Bagging and then painting brickwork allows the undulation of the brick to be seen, giving it a textural appearance,” says Jo Gillies, director and founder of Archisoul Architects. “It’s cost-efficient and can be done as a DIY.” However, for an expert finish and speedy completion, it’s always best to hire a professional.
“Bagging and then painting brickwork allows the undulation of the brick to be seen, giving it a textural appearance,” says Jo Gillies, director and founder of Archisoul Architects. “It’s cost-efficient and can be done as a DIY.” However, for an expert finish and speedy completion, it’s always best to hire a professional.
5. Enhance the features surrounding a brick wall
“Red brick works well with white,” says Wegner. “If your red-brick house has large ’60s-style windows, I would keep them and paint them white. If the windows are not that appealing, consider enlarging or replacing them with beautiful white, black or natural timber framed ones to enhance the brickwork.”
“Red brick works well with white,” says Wegner. “If your red-brick house has large ’60s-style windows, I would keep them and paint them white. If the windows are not that appealing, consider enlarging or replacing them with beautiful white, black or natural timber framed ones to enhance the brickwork.”
The smaller details on your home’s facade have the power to lift the look of your brickwork too, says Wegner. “On a red-brick exterior, consider dark colours such as Dulux Klavier or Monument for gutters and downpipes – the tones go very well together.”
6. Pretty up the landscaping around a brick wall
Landscaping is a great way to enhance brickwork,” says Wegner. “The contrast of green and grey-green tones of native planting really works well with brickwork.”
Landscaping is a great way to enhance brickwork,” says Wegner. “The contrast of green and grey-green tones of native planting really works well with brickwork.”
“I love the delicate yellow, pink or orange flowers of grevilleas against red-brick facades,” says Wegner.
“Planting a beautiful creeping fig on your facade is another option,” says Caldwell. “Just be aware that it can impact on your termite proofing so you need to be careful where you put it.”
“Planting a beautiful creeping fig on your facade is another option,” says Caldwell. “Just be aware that it can impact on your termite proofing so you need to be careful where you put it.”
7. How to conceal your exterior brick wall
If your brick facade is a true eyesore, consider partially or fully cladding it in another material, says Caldwell. “Our favourite combination is white-on-white painted brick and weatherboard. This provides a really rich, textured outcome that looks fresh but has some character,” she says.
“But if you need to do it on the cheap, six-millimetre thick fibre cement cladding with timber battens can’t be beaten.”
If your brick facade is a true eyesore, consider partially or fully cladding it in another material, says Caldwell. “Our favourite combination is white-on-white painted brick and weatherboard. This provides a really rich, textured outcome that looks fresh but has some character,” she says.
“But if you need to do it on the cheap, six-millimetre thick fibre cement cladding with timber battens can’t be beaten.”
“Timber and metal cladding are both trending,” says Gillies. “Think charcoal colours for metals and species such as silvertop ash timber, which weathers to a lovely silver/grey over time. Another popular look is charred cladding installed vertically,” she says.
“With timber cladding, it’s important to know the chain of custody so you can be sure the timber has come from a sustainable source.
“Also, be aware that timber cladding for a red-brick wall will require drainage and ongoing maintenance due to the gaps, so this will need to be done professionally,” she says.
“With timber cladding, it’s important to know the chain of custody so you can be sure the timber has come from a sustainable source.
“Also, be aware that timber cladding for a red-brick wall will require drainage and ongoing maintenance due to the gaps, so this will need to be done professionally,” she says.
“When combining new cladding with existing brickwork, it’s best to get an architect to help with the 3D aesthetics as there may be other areas that can be renovated and remodelled to suit the new facades and external walls,” says Gillies.
8. How to paint a brick wall
While Wegner is all for painting exterior brickwork to give it a fresh new look, she says it’s important to be careful that it suits your home’s architectural style. “I wouldn’t paint or bag a traditional Federation or Californian brick house. A ’50s or ’60s brick house could be painted – but remember that once painted, it is almost impossible to get it back to the original brick colour,” she says.
“If the brick wall was in a courtyard at the rear or middle of the site, it could be painted white to freshen it up and allow more light into the area. In a number of renovations, I have used ordinary bricks and painted them white to give the building texture but keep it light,” she says.
While Wegner is all for painting exterior brickwork to give it a fresh new look, she says it’s important to be careful that it suits your home’s architectural style. “I wouldn’t paint or bag a traditional Federation or Californian brick house. A ’50s or ’60s brick house could be painted – but remember that once painted, it is almost impossible to get it back to the original brick colour,” she says.
“If the brick wall was in a courtyard at the rear or middle of the site, it could be painted white to freshen it up and allow more light into the area. In a number of renovations, I have used ordinary bricks and painted them white to give the building texture but keep it light,” she says.
The issue you might be having with your brickwork is that there’s simply too much of it, says Caldwell. “Look at sections that you can cover or paint to increase the contrast and make the brick ‘pop’ where you want it to,” she says. “Paint is cheap and an easy way to transform your home.”
9. Consider rendering your brick wall
“Rendering gives a smoother finish than paint and can look good if your facade has the right proportions and aesthetic,” says Gillies. “It’s more expensive than painting as you’ll need a professional to create that smooth finish.”
Rendered brick is covered in a cement-like coating and can be tinted to a variety of colours and intensities.
“Rendering gives a smoother finish than paint and can look good if your facade has the right proportions and aesthetic,” says Gillies. “It’s more expensive than painting as you’ll need a professional to create that smooth finish.”
Rendered brick is covered in a cement-like coating and can be tinted to a variety of colours and intensities.
Your turn
How have you handled troublesome brickwork? Tell us your tips in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want more exterior ideas? Don’t miss 10 Ways to Create a Romantic Garden
How have you handled troublesome brickwork? Tell us your tips in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want more exterior ideas? Don’t miss 10 Ways to Create a Romantic Garden
Related Stories
Renovating Advice
How Do I Find, Assess & Hire the Right People for My Renovation?
Do you need a kitchen designer or a joiner? An architect or an interior designer? Find out with our essential reno guide
Full Story
Renovation Guides
What Key Measurements & Room Dimensions Should I Know for a Reno?
Read practical information about key room measurements and minimum clearances for fittings and fixtures in every room
Full Story
Bedrooms
12 Decorating Tips to Make Any Bedroom Look Better
By Anne Ellard
Want to know how to make your bedroom look better? Here are 12 great tricks
Full Story
Renovation Guides
Room by Room: Experts on Ways to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders
From the kitchen to the garden, and all areas in between, experts identify common mistakes and share priceless insights
Full Story
Bathroom Expert Advice
5 Reasons Your Bathroom Smells Funky (and How to Fix the Problem)
A plumber reveals five reasons your bathroom might smell like sewage or emanate a musty odour
Full Story
Kitchen Renovations
From Planning to Pendants: Kitchen Lighting Essentials
By Joanna Tovia
This valuable guide will give you all you need to know about choosing kitchen lighting for fabulous form and function
Full Story
Living Rooms
The Full Picture: How High Should Your TV Be?
By Matt Clawson
We look at an important question to consider when locating your television: how high should you set it?
Full Story
Bathrooms
All the Dimensions You Need to Know for Your Bathroom Makeover
Fit everything comfortably in a small or medium-size bathroom by knowing standard dimensions for fixtures and clearances
Full Story
Renovation Guides
How to Control the Cost of Your Renovation, Room by Room
Where to save, where to spend (and all the tricks in between) for keeping the cost of your renovation on track
Full Story
Architecture
Renovation Insight: How to Choose an Architect
A great architect can turn your dream home into reality – three industry experts reveal where to look for the right one
Full Story
Bricks are gorgeous and having an increase in popularity and interesting usages. DON’T cover them up. Celebrate them!
Does anyone have any good tips on how to remove horrible render from the front of my houses and restor the former appearance of the bricks?
juliamac19, Boston ivy is even worse. When it comes off the wall you are left with little 'frog toe pad' marks which are impossible to remove. And it's leafless for so much of the year you still have to look at the bricks.