How to Leave Brick Exposed

In a vintage apartment, exposed brick walls may add to a place's period feel. In an ultra-modern loft, they may give living spaces an industrial flair. Whatever your home's character, exposed brick may heighten it. If you choose to leave your brick bare, follow some style guidelines to create a unified aesthetic. Whether you have an entire wall of brick or just a fireplace and mantel, color and details keep your design balanced.

Carpet/rugs (optional)
Curtains (optional)
Artwork (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Identify the most prominent color tone in the brick. It may be basically red and pink, or basically yellow and brown.
- 2
  Install carpets, curtains, artwork and furniture in gentle greens, yellows and creams if your bricks are essentially pale red. Use neutral grays, browns and dusty greens if your bricks are more yellow or brown.
- 3
  Draw the eye to the brick by choosing colors for the rest of the room that contrast highly with the brick tones. Blend the brick into the design smoothly by choosing low-contrast colors.
- 4
  Dress the room with accessories or upholstery that use the brick's color.
- 5
  Tone down dark brick by using colors in the same palette throughout the room. Add accents or furniture pieces in a darker color to make the brick appear lighter.
- 6
  Arrange the room based on the brick. Use it to frame furniture, and choose decor that matches the era the brick establishes.

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