Transform Your Home’s Exterior with Brick and Paint
Selecting the perfect paint colors to complement brick can feel like solving a complex puzzle.
As someone who has helped hundreds of homeowners update their exteriors, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find the right combination that highlights and harmonizes with your brick’s natural tones.
I’ll share my tested paint color combinations to give your brick exterior a beautiful update without costly mistakes.
You’ll learn exactly how to pick colors that enhance your brick’s character, create eye-catching curb appeal, and make your home stand out for all the right reasons.
In this guide, I’ll explain specific color palettes that work with brick, share real examples, and give you a simple process for choosing colors confidently.
What is the Science Behind Brick and Paint Combinations?
Understanding Your Brick’s Personality
Every brick surface tells its story through color variation, aging, and texture. When you look at your brick exterior up close, you’ll notice it’s not just one solid color—it contains subtle hints of browns, reds, oranges, and even gray.
These variations make brick a beautiful but complex canvas with which to work. The first step in choosing paint colors is identifying your brick’s main color.
Stand back about 20 feet from your house during mid-day lighting. Most people will first notice the color you see from this distance.
This dominant shade becomes your starting point for selecting complementary paint colors.
The Art of Paint Color Selection
The warmth or coolness of your paint color dramatically affects how it pairs with brick. Most bricks, with their red-orange base tones, lean warm.
This means paint colors with similar warm undertones often create a cohesive look. However, cool paint shades can provide striking contrast when used thoughtfully.
For lasting appeal, consider paint colors with subtle gray or brown undertones.
These muted, natural-looking shades complement the brick’s organic character without competing for attention. The goal is to enhance your brick’s innate beauty rather than overshadow it.
Most Popular Brick And Paint Color Combinations
1. Classic White Brick with Black Accents
A bright white painted brick creates a clean backdrop, while black trim around windows, doors, and shutters adds definition.
This combination suits homes of any size, making them appear bright and fresh while retaining architectural interest through strong contrasts.
2. Muted Gray Brick with Navy Blue Trim
Soft gray brick offers a neutral foundation that pairs wonderfully with deep navy blue details.
The mix creates visual depth without feeling heavy. This pairing shines on traditional homes, lending a refined appearance that ages gracefully.
3. Sage Green Brick with Taupe Detailing
This natural color duo pulls inspiration from garden landscapes. The gentle sage green brick provides a subtle tint while taupe accents on trim and doors echo earth tones. Perfect for homes nestled among trees and plantings.
4. Warm Beige Brick with Deep Charcoal Accents
Light beige brick creates an inviting first impression, while charcoal gray details on gutters, window frames, and doors provide sophisticated contrast. This combination flatters both modern and classic architectural styles.
5. Whitewashed Brick with Wood Accents
The textured, hand-crafted look of whitewashed brick pairs beautifully with natural wood elements like doors, posts, and shutters. This mix offers casual comfort with a hint of farmhouse style.
6. Dark Brick with Light Trim
Dark-painted brick makes a striking statement, while bright white trim highlights architectural features. This bold pairing creates curb appeal through sharp contrasts and clean lines.
7. Soft Pink-Toned Brick with Cream Accents
Gentle pink-tinted brick offers subtle warmth while cream-colored trim provides a soft finishing touch. This combination creates a welcoming exterior that captures morning and evening light beautifully.
8. Red Brick with Classic White Accents
Original red brick maintains its timeless appeal when paired with crisp white trim. Black shutters and a coordinating front door complete this enduring look that never falls out of favor.
9. Brick with Stone Accents
Combining painted brick with natural stone creates a rich visual texture. The mix of materials adds dimension while coordinating paint colors on trim and doors pull the look together seamlessly.
10. Tonal Brick and Siding
Using similar shades for brick and siding creates a cohesive appearance. Varying the materials while keeping colors consistent allows architectural details to shine through subtle shifts in texture.
How to Paint Brick Correctly: A Professional Guide
Best Paint Options for Your Brick Exterior
Selecting the right paint type makes all the difference in your brick’s appearance and longevity. Masonry paint offers excellent durability and moisture protection. Mineral-based paints allow your brick to maintain its natural breathability.
Acrylic options provide good coverage and weather resistance when properly applied.
Essential Steps for Painting Brick
Start thoroughly cleaning your brick surface using a gentle pressure wash. Remove any loose mortar and repair gaps before painting. Wait for the surface to dry completely – this typically takes 24-48 hours after cleaning.
Apply a high-quality masonry primer designed specifically for brick. This creates a strong foundation for your paint and ensures even coverage. Allow the primer to cure according to manufacturer instructions.
Professional-grade rollers work well for large areas for application, while quality brushes help reach corners and edges. Multiple thin coats provide better results than one thick layer.
Professional vs. DIY Considerations
| Factor | Professional Painting | DIY Painting |
|---|---|---|
| Expertise | Skilled in surface preparation and application | Requires research and practice |
| Equipment | Uses commercial-grade tools and sprayers | Needs rollers, brushes, drop cloths, etc. |
| Time Commitment | Faster, efficient process | Several days for prep, painting, and drying |
| Weather Impact | Knows how temperature/humidity affects results | Must plan around ideal weather conditions |
| Cost | Higher upfront investment | Lower cost but may need extra materials |
| Safety | Experienced with ladders and heights | Requires caution, especially for exterior |
Beyond Paint: Creating a Complete Exterior Look
Selecting the Perfect Front Door Color
Your front door sets the tone for your home’s personality. Consider charcoal black or deep navy for a classic appearance for red brick homes. Medium-toned blues and grays offer a fresh take while still feeling timeless.
Rich brown doors add natural warmth to painted brick homes, while black doors create striking focal points.
Coordinating Architectural Elements
Creating a cohesive exterior starts with selecting architectural details that complement the overall color scheme. Matching gutters to the roof color ensures a seamless look, while soft white window trim brightens the facade and highlights architectural features.
When choosing shutters, consider shades that either reflect the undertones of the brick or coordinate with the door color to maintain visual harmony.
Here are some effective pairings:
- Light brick: Dark bronze gutters, crisp white trim, black shutters for a balanced contrast.
- Red brick: Gray gutters, off-white trim, and navy shutters for a classic, refined appeal.
- Dark brick: Black gutters, bright white trim, and shutters that match the door color for a bold, polished appearance.
Landscaping and Lighting Choices
Frame your home with plants that complement your color scheme. For light-colored brick, deep green shrubs create a beautiful contrast. Red brick pairs nicely with silver-leafed plants and purple blooms.
Install warm white lighting to highlight architectural features after dark. Position lights to wash up walls, creating soft shadows that enhance brick texture. Path lights in coordinating metal finishes tie your landscaping to your home’s color scheme.
Conclusion
Updating your brick exterior with the right paint colors transforms more than just your home’s appearance – it creates a lasting impression you’ll appreciate every time you pull into your driveway.
Remember to test your chosen colors thoroughly, consider your home’s architectural style, and take time to prepare for the best results.
Whether you opt for timeless combinations like crisp white with dark accents or choose something more distinctive, the key lies in the thoughtful color selection that complements your brick’s natural character.
Ready to start your exterior update? Take photos of your home in different lighting conditions, gather paint samples, and begin visualizing the possibilities.
Your perfect brick-and-paint combination awaits.
