I’ve driven past plenty of old brick houses that feel stuck in time, their facades blending into the neighborhood instead of drawing you closer with real curb appeal.
Painting the brick changes that completely, letting the original shape of arches, rooflines, and entries shine through in colors that nod to the home’s age without overwhelming it.
I remember debating shades for our own front before settling on one that made the porch trim pop just right against the textured surface.
These updates succeed when they respect the brick’s rough patina, turning a flat exterior into something with quiet depth that neighbors actually notice.
A couple stand out as ones worth sketching for your street view.
Sage Green Door on Painted White Brick
Painting the brick white softens an old house facade and lets a sage green front door take center stage. That gentle color contrast keeps things classic but fresh. It adds just enough color to draw the eye to the entry without overwhelming the simple lines. Notice how the black lantern and ironwork canopy tie it together nicely.
This look suits older brick homes in town or country settings. Pick a muted green like this for low-key charm, and add matching pots with clipped greens out front. It boosts curb appeal fast. Skip bold shades unless you want more drama.
Red Front Door on Painted Brick
Painting the brick on an older home light gray like this softens the whole facade and lets the house feel brighter without losing its solid character. Black shutters stand out sharp against it, framing the windows nicely. Then there’s that red door. It gives the entry a real focal point, making the place look more inviting right from the street.
This setup works best on classic two-story homes with good symmetry, like Colonials. Paint your brick a pale neutral first, add dark shutters for punch, and pick a door color that pops, red being hard to beat for warmth. Skip it if your house has too much going on already… might feel busy.
Light Blue Painted Brick Exterior
Painting the brick light blue gives this older beach house a soft, lived-in charm that blends right into the coastal setting. The color washes out the hardness of the brick while keeping some texture for character. A matching blue door with its round window pulls everything together nicely.
This works best on vintage homes near water, where the pale blue echoes the sky and sea. Go for a breathable masonry paint to handle humidity and salt. Add lanterns and a simple porch bench, and you’ve got curb appeal that feels welcoming, not fussy.
Bright Green Door on Dark Brick
A lime green front door like this one really wakes up a darker brick facade. It pulls your eye right to the entry without overwhelming the rest of the house. The simple brick wall and wood garage door keep things grounded, so the color feels fun instead of out of place.
This works best on older homes with painted or dark brick that need a little personality up front. Go for it if your street has mostly neutral houses. Just match the door hardware to the brick tones, and add some gravel or grasses nearby to tie it in. Skip it if your brick is super light, though. Might clash.
Green Door on Painted Brick
One simple way to give an old brick house new life is painting the brick a soft white. It lightens the whole facade without losing that historic feel. Here, a sage green door pulls everything together. Black shutters and lanterns frame it just right, and some ivy climbing up adds a touch of wild character.
This works best on colonial-style homes or anything with good bones like columns and an arched top over the door. Pick a muted green that picks up from your plantings. Keep plant pots simple on the steps so the door stays the star. Watch the scale. Too big a door can overwhelm a smaller house.
Ornate Porch on Red Brick House
A porch like this one takes a solid red brick facade and gives it real personality. The curved copper roof over white lattice panels draws the eye right to the front door. Hanging plants and lanterns make it feel lived-in and warm without much effort.
This setup works best on older terraced or semi-detached homes with some Victorian details already. Paint the trim crisp white to pop against the brick. Keep the gate simple so the porch stays the focus. It suits narrow front yards where you want welcome without taking up space.
Gothic Arched Doorway
Old brick houses gain real character from a gothic arched doorway like this one. The tall pointed arch over the dark green door pulls your eye straight in, especially with those wrought iron lanterns glowing on either side. It keeps the rugged brick feeling historic without needing paint, just lets the architecture speak.
Try this on homes with enough front wall space for the arch to stand out. It suits brick or stone builds in wooded spots where some ivy or moss adds to the aged look. Scale it to your house size, though. Too big on a cottage, and it might feel off balance.
Porch Columns with Stone Bases
One simple way to give an old house new life is adding tapered white columns on stone bases to the front porch. They stand out against the light painted siding and dark trim. That mix keeps the look traditional but fresh. The stone at the bottom adds weight and ties into the foundation nicely. A bench swing and lanterns make it feel lived-in right away.
This works best on two-story homes with some Craftsman details already. Paint the columns crisp white for contrast. Use local stone that matches your area to avoid looking out of place. Keep vines climbing just one or two columns so it does not get messy. It pulls people toward the door without much fuss.
Painted Brick Rowhouse Entry
A fresh coat of warm terracotta paint on this old brick rowhouse keeps all the original character intact. You can see how it highlights the tall arched doorway, the black-painted window frames, and those fancy wrought iron railings without overwhelming anything. It’s a simple update that makes the place feel more alive, especially with the soft glow from the lanterns at dusk.
This look suits narrow urban townhouses or Victorians in historic neighborhoods. Paint the brick in a muted red-brown to warm things up, then go bold with black on trim and metalwork. Add potted topiaries by the steps for a finished touch. Just stick to the house’s own arches and details, or it might look forced.
Painted Brick with Shingle Siding
Taking an older home’s brick base and painting it light pulls back some of the heaviness. Here it pairs with reddish wood shingles on the upper part, plus green trim on the porch columns. That mix keeps the house feeling solid and traditional, but way more approachable from the street.
Try this on bungalows or Craftsman houses where the brick was maybe too dark before. Keep the porch wide open with just a bench and plants hanging down… it draws folks right up the steps without much fuss. Just make sure the paint holds up to your weather.
Seafoam Green Shingles on a Brick Cottage
A soft seafoam green paint job on the shingle siding really wakes up this older cottage. It keeps the traditional shape but adds a relaxed coastal feel, especially with the red brick steps and chimney showing through unpainted. That contrast gives the front a bit more depth without trying too hard.
This look fits homes with some brick already, like foundations or chimneys from way back. Paint the upper siding green to highlight the lower brick, and toss in simple porch seating or potted plants near the door. It suits beach towns or mild climates best, but test the shade in sunlight first.
Dark Gray Exterior on a Classic Gabled Home
A deep gray paint job like this one turns an older house into something with real presence. The color soaks up the evening light just right, highlighting the gables, chimney, and porch without overwhelming the traditional lines. Those warm glows from the windows inside pull it all together too.
You can pull this off on farmhouses or colonials with solid rooflines and some porch detail. Stick to matte finishes to avoid glare, and mix in black metal roofing if your budget allows. It suits rural spots best, where the dark tone blends into trees at dusk… just check your local weather won’t fade it too fast.
White Painted Brick with Black Trim
Old brick townhouses often have that worn charm, but painting the brick white like this one brings out a crisp, updated look. The black trim on the windows and door creates sharp contrast that highlights the architecture without losing character. It’s a simple change that makes the facade feel both classic and fresh.
This works best on narrow rowhouses in the city, where the white brightens things up and the dark accents add definition. Use a breathable masonry paint to avoid trapping moisture, and pair it with simple planters for extra curb appeal. Avoid it on super textured brick unless you want even more drama.
Yellow Front Door on Brick House
Old brick houses often have that solid, timeless look. But adding a bright yellow door gives it real personality without much fuss. Here the mustard shade stands out nicely against the soft gray brick. It pulls your eye straight to the entry, making the whole front feel more welcoming. That arched stained glass window up top ties in some classic detail too.
This works best on traditional homes like Georgian or Edwardian styles where the brick is the star. Pick a yellow that’s warm, not too neon, to match your brick’s undertone. Prep the door well, prime it, and add fresh hardware. It’s a simple update that lasts years… just right for curb appeal on a budget.
Timeless Half-Timbered Facade
Old houses often get a fresh start with half-timbering. Dark wood beams stand out against light walls. It gives that English cottage feel without much fuss. Here the stone base adds weight and keeps things from floating. Paired with an arched door it pulls the whole front together nicely.
This works best on two-story homes with simple shapes. Paint the brick or stucco first in a soft beige then add the beams. Use real wood or sturdy fiber cement for upkeep. Skip it on super modern spots… it shines where you want cozy character. Stone at the bottom ties into paths or low plants easy.
Arched Entryway on Brick Facade
An arched doorway like this one turns a simple brick exterior into something with real presence. The curve over the double doors pulls your eye right to the front, and the wrought iron grilles add that old house detail without overdoing it. Paired with the warm brick tones, it gives the whole facade a settled, lived-in feel that fits older homes perfectly.
You can pull this off on many traditional brick houses by framing the entry with stone or stucco and hanging lanterns on either side. Keep pots nearby for some green, but don’t crowd the steps. It works best where you want to highlight the door as the main welcome, especially if the rest of the house has some arches or curves already.
Green Painted Brick on a Rustic Barn House
Old brick houses like this barn conversion look sharp when painted a deep green. The color keeps the brick’s rough texture and history intact but freshens up the whole side of the house. It stands out against the beige arches and wood doors, making the place feel settled in and full of character without losing that aged charm.
Try this on solid brick exteriors that have some patina already. It suits rural or garden settings where green blends with plants and trees. Just test the shade first to make sure it doesn’t clash, and seal it well for weather protection. Rustic details like arched garage doors pull it together nicely.
Arched Stone Entry Boosts Brick House Charm
Old brick houses often feel sturdy but a bit plain. Adding an arched stone surround around the front door changes that fast. Here a rugged wooden door with X bracing sits right in the middle of it all. Flanked by lanterns and boxwoods it pulls the eye and makes the entry feel special without overdoing things. The mix keeps the house’s original character while hinting at something more inviting.
This works best on traditional two story homes like this one. Pair the stone arch with your existing brick for contrast that looks natural. Go for a heavy timber door to match the scale. Skip painting the brick if you want that raw look. Just make sure the arch proportions fit your door height or it might overwhelm. Great for curb appeal on a budget.
Painted Brick with Ornate Porch Entry
White painted brick gives an old house a fresh, clean look that lightens up the whole facade. Pair it with an ornate porch canopy like this one, full of lacy details and columns, and you bring back that vintage charm without overwhelming the simplicity. The dark teal door pops against the white, and the lanterns add a soft glow that makes the entry feel welcoming right away.
This setup works best on narrow terraced houses where you want curb appeal without big changes. Keep the topiary plants neat and simple to frame the door, and stick to classic lanterns for lighting. It suits urban spots with neighbors close by… just make sure the porch matches your roofline so it doesn’t look added on later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to power wash before painting my old brick house?
A: You bet, power wash first to strip away years of grime and loose mortar. That clean surface lets paint grip tight and last longer. Skip it, and your new look peels fast.
Q: What paint holds up best on brick exteriors?
A: Pick a breathable acrylic latex paint designed for masonry. It flexes with the brick through rain and freeze-thaw cycles. Apply two thin coats with a brush for the smoothest finish.
Q: Can painting brick hurt my home’s resale value?
A: Buyers often rave about the crisp update on vintage homes. Painted brick shows off charm without the dated vibe. Stick to neighborhood-friendly shades, and it boosts appeal.
Q: How do I keep painted brick looking fresh year after year?
A: Rinse it gently each spring with a hose and soft brush. Touch up scuffs right away with matching paint. And yeah, that simple routine wards off fading.
