Are you looking for ways to make brick walls look better?
Bricks can be beautiful, especially when they form part of a heritage home’s legacy. But they doesn’t suit every style of home and often when it comes to brickwork, less is more.
Houzz has put together an article which features tips from the experts on how to jazz up your exterior brickwork.
Archisoul’s director shared her advice below:
“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.
You can read the full article by Houzz here.
Inside the home, Jo says brickwork can make a great feature wall, adding warmth and texture to interiors. Older bricks are especially suited to this purpose as they often feature variegated colouring and surfaces. Make brick walls look better with a good clean and, if needed, re-grouting. Once restored, they can form a subtly eye-catching backdrop in an otherwise neutral space.
Stained or damaged bricks might be beyond salvaging though and over the years, repairs may have resulted in a wall full of mismatched bricks. In these instances, Jo says you can call in the plasterers if smooth, white walls are your aim, or build a new wall in front of the bricks.
If you want to preserve the texture of brick walls, other options include painting them to match the interior colour scheme or applying a couple of coats of lime wash to mute red/orange tones. For a brighter, more opaque effect, use white wash.
Brickwork doesn’t have to be boring. With the right approach, that dull brick wall can become a brilliant design statement.
But before you do anything rash, Jo says to remember that “stories sell houses”. Preserving and enhancing your home’s original features adds another chapter to the narrative, increasing its prestige and value.
