Modern interiors and brick walls would seem to be at odds with one another. Over the last few years, we have seen a resurgence of the exposed brick wall. Architects and homeowners gravitate increasingly toward the brick wall whenever they need a touch of texture, unique character, and timeless charm sprinkled in their living rooms.
It is some people’s favorite part of the living room because the exposed brick wall is a reflection of the rich, historic past of the building and a perfect blend of the past and present. Others view it as an elegant addition to a glass and stone-dominated interior. Brick walls have been with us for a while, and especially with people in the cities, brick is here to stay.
There are dozens of faux options that are not a great idea. Various faux-brick options are available which allow you to customize your space. The 3D effect on a faux-brick wallpaper will always appear fake or overly campy. It’s the same idea with faux-brick paneling. Leave this option alone. It will only remind you of a by-the-slice pizza place. It never looks like real brick, just a plastic sheet with a brick pattern. Faux-brick wallpaper or paneling will give your room a dated look. Stick with the more authentic options.
A natural brick wall will better-fit styles ranging from shabby chic to contemporary and vintage. Exposed brick walls in the living room can come in a wide array of shapes and colors. We present a collection of stunning living rooms featuring brick walls, which will fascinate, inspire, and elevate your sense of design. Check them out!
1. Brick-Walled Living Rooms for Modern Minimalist Living
If you happen to live in an apartment, loft, or private residence where they have been neatly covered up, you may consider uncovering your brick walls. Just be aware, sometimes bricks will overpower a space, often because of the brick color. The color and style of bricks make a big difference in the overall look of a living room, and for modern homes, painting them white is a smart and safe choice.
Painting the bricks white keeps the backdrop distinctly neutral while adding texture to the room. For painting an exterior brick wall, you can use a masonry primer and high-quality exterior-grade paint. The same applies to the interior, just a simple primer and paint will do the trick. For indoor or outdoor applications, you may consider lime paint. This traditionally European paint allows for transparency. Those wishing to create a dynamic backdrop can opt for a hot neutral such as gray or black.
In contemporary living rooms that have been designed to be as neutral and uncluttered as possible, the classic red brick may work well, but it may not. A semi-transparent whitewash is an excellent option if you like your brick wall and only want to tame it down a bit.
You can learn more about lime paint in a previous Dorwae Interiors article: Plasters, Specialty Paints, and Wall Finishes
2. Brick walls as a Gallery or Statement Pieces
A gorgeous and vibrant exposed brick wall in the living room is a stunning backdrop to your cherished art collection or favorite set of family photographs. The gallery-style setting in this photograph is far more dynamic, distinctive, and attractive, as opposed to the flat white walls. With the proper lighting, décor, and accessories, a living room with brick walls can be far more visually appealing because it lets the furniture in neutral shades take center stage.
However, decorating a room with brick walls requires far more discipline because an eclectic mixture can quickly turn into untidy clutter, so don’t be messy when designing. There is a fine line between cozy and cluttered.
3. Industrial Looks for Your Rooms
As mentioned earlier there are a variety of styles that complement brick walls in living rooms. However, that list would not be complete without mentioning the effervescent and functional industrial style. The industrial style is synonymous with exposed brick walls. With the adaptive reuse of old structures becoming increasingly common in home renovations, the brick wall is definitely here to stay. With exposed duct pipes, large windows, and smart lighting, this living room is perfect for anyone who loves the industrial look.
Wooden elements on white walls coupled with brick walls can create a smart background for rustic, farmhouse, and Mediterranean styles. Using whitewashed bricks gives the living room an air of cheery, light, and breezy ambiance with natural light amplified to create a feeling of freshness and brightness. They are thus a perfect fit for elegant and uniquely designed living rooms in a beach-style setting.
4. Brick Walls for Small Living Rooms
Do you have a small living room?
This small living space is made warm and welcoming by the brick walls, which have a textural beauty that adds warmth. One option is to combine color, textures, contrasting styles, and unique pieces of décor to create curated chaos that steals the spotlight with its eye-catching colors, textures, and unique décor. This is an interior design look that demands a sense of balance, and a keen eye for detail, and the window gives a sense of distancing yourself from the room.
You can draw inspiration from modern Scandinavian design to decorate the small living room with a brick wall. These homes are characterized by frugality, clean, straight lines, and neutral colors, which allows the accent wall to be a striking visual element. Any small room’s decorating style must be prominent and distinct, whether it is vintage, modern, industrial, or shabby chic.
5. Follow the Curve!
A brick-walled living room can also go beyond the ordinary, and there are many ways to carry this out without breaking the bank. If you have exposed brick walls, you can try a bit of color and pattern and give the place a soft and crafty appearance. You might be lucky enough to have a curved brick wall or any other unexpected feature in your living room. Make the most of it and let it become the center of attention.
Black brick walls will always catch the eye, but there are times when it will be the décor around them that makes all the difference. Use different textures and colors in the same room (for example, whitewashed walls next to yellow brick walls) to make your living room unique.
No matter the location, texture, condition, or color; there are many ways to make a brick wall work in your space. So don’t worry about covering it up. Make it sing. Shine it up with your own creativity. Take a few of these ideas to get started. Happy designing!
If brick walls do not give you enough satisfaction, look through our Plaster Finishes and services and specialties.
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