7 Must-Know Tips for Using Exposed Brick in Your Home
Exposed brick is a trendy home design feature that will add style to your home
Having an exposed brick wall or feature, like a fireplace, in your home instantly brings warmth and character to the space. This trendy interior design feature is beautiful (and definitely Instagram-worthy), but there are a few things to consider to make exposed brickwork in your home. These must-know tips will help you decorate and care for exposed brick, so it looks great for years to come.
1. Make It the Design Focal Point
Exposed brick makes a statement, and it’s often the first thing you and your guests will notice upon walking into your space. Because exposed brick is so eye-catching, make it the focal point of your home.
Here’s how you can make your exposed brick wall the style star of your home:
Pare down on your other decorations to let the exposed brick shine.
Use open-back shelves to show it off while keeping your space functional.
Add a pop of color with a fun bookshelf or another furniture piece.
Add wood accents and greenery for textured contrast and a modern, natural vibe.
Lean artwork against exposed brick to draw the eye.
Put up string lights on the exposed brick to give your space an extra cozy feel.
Paint your brick for a statement piece (just be sure about your decision before picking up your paintbrush).
2. Limit Exposed Brick to One Wall or Feature
Using exposed brick on more than one wall or in multiple rooms can be overkill. After a while, too much brick becomes an eyesore. Although you should make exposed brick the design focal point of a single room, you shouldn’t use it as your primary interior design feature.
Instead, it should be an accent used sparingly in your space. One exposed brick wall is enough to elevate your entire space and give it that coveted cozy-meets-modern vibe.
3. Add Sealant
Purchase sealant formulated for brick from your local home improvement store and apply it to your exposed brick. Sealant will protect it from dirt and unwanted moisture, which can cause damage to both the brick and the mortar.
If you live with boisterous kids and mischievous pets, sealant is a must. Performing maintenance for your exposed brick wall will help protect your investment and keep it looking like new.
4. Hire a Pro to Mount a TV on an Exposed Brick Wall
One could also file this under the "never do" category because the logistics don't work out as one would hope. If you mount your TV on a brick wall, you’re guaranteed to have tons of cords hanging—with no way to hide them. Additionally, you may not appreciate the sound quality you get from having your TV against a brick wall, especially if the speakers are on the back of the TV.
If you absolutely have no other place to hang your TV, hire a general contractor in your area. Incorrectly mounting that much weight can cause your bricks to crack—and your TV to crash to the ground. If you want to learn how to drill into brick, you’ll need special diamond-tipped drill bits. The placement must be exact to ensure the weight is distributed properly, making it a tricky project for the weekend DIYer.
5. Clean Your Exposed Brick Wall Gently
Accidents happen. When it comes to exposed brick, spills aren’t the end of the world. But when you go to clean it up, be gentle. Brick is rough and somewhat brittle. Exposure to chemicals may cause it to crumble, so stick to gentle cleansers.
Abrasive cleaners, including any commercial cleaners and especially those containing bleach, can damage brick and mortar, making the brick look worse than before you even started cleaning it. Instead, create your own gentle cleanser that will keep your wall sparkling clean without the damage.
Here’s a recipe for an at-home exposed brick wall cleaner:
Mix warm water with a pinch of salt and a few drops of mild dish soap
Gently scrub the mixture onto the brick with a small bristle brush
Let the mixture sit on the wall for a few minutes
Let the mixture sit on the wall for a few minutes
Rinse wall with water
Wipe dry with a dry cloth
6. Don’t Frequently Change Wall Art
You can absolutely hang artwork and picture frames on an exposed brick wall. But it will require you to drill holes in the mortar between the bricks, which will cause permanent damage. If you like to change up your decor frequently, you’ll have to constantly repair damaged mortar.
Brick clips are a possible solution to this problem. These metal clips that hook into the mortar on a brick wall allow you to hang decorations without drilling into anything, so they won’t cause permanent damage. You can purchase brick clips at most large retailers, especially home improvement stores. Most have weight limits, so check the product label before hanging anything.
7. Prime the Brick Before Painting
Brick is a very porous material, readily absorbing any moisture it comes into contact with. Painting it can literally be a money suck, but it’s not always impossible. Brick can look a bit heavy, which can make rooms feel small and cluttered.
If you love the natural look of exposed brick but want a lighter, updated look, consider painting brick white. Before painting it, add multiple layers of primer (allow each layer to dry before adding the next) to stop the brick from absorbing the paint and to help the paint adhere to the surface.