Red brick has a warmth and texture I wouldn’t want to hide, but a facade can still feel dated when the trim, entry, or surrounding yard does not work with it.
Small choices like a fresh paint color, updated porch details, or more intentional planting can make the whole exterior feel cared for without a full renovation.
I’d start by looking at the parts that compete with the brick rather than replacing what already gives the house character.
A clearer path or a better-defined front door can make the home feel more welcoming.
The best updates still look like they belong to the house.
These ideas offer practical details to save and adapt to your own facade.
Update A Red-Brick Facade With Exterior Paint
Painting the brick white gives this facade a cleaner, more current look without changing the shape of the house. The black front door and window frames add contrast, so the exterior feels more defined than it did with the original red brick and beige door.
If you’re considering this for your own home, test paint samples on a less visible area first, since painted brick is a long-term choice. A dark door can help the entry stand out, but keep the rest of the finishes simple so the facade doesn’t feel busy.
Make The Front Entry A Focal Point
A more defined entry can give a red-brick facade a clearer, more welcoming look. Here, stone around the doorway and substantial wood posts replace a plain surround, making the front door the main feature.
This idea works well when the entry feels lost against a broad brick wall. Use materials that complement the existing brick, and keep the steps and walkway easy to navigate. A lantern near the door can help the entry feel finished without adding too much.
Make The Front Entry More Welcoming
Replacing the flimsy awning with a proper covered entry gives this brick home a more finished look. The new porch roof and sturdy columns make the doorway feel like part of the house rather than an add-on.
This idea works well on brick homes with a small, exposed entrance. Keep the porch in scale with the facade, and choose trim that suits the home’s existing style. Even a simpler roof over the steps can make the entry feel more cared for.
Update A Brick Facade With Wood Siding
The upper brick gable looked plain, so covering that section with warm horizontal siding gives the front of the house a clearer focal point. A dark frame around the small window helps the new finish feel connected to the existing brick.
This idea can work well when you want to update one part of a brick exterior without changing the whole facade. Keep the new siding limited to a distinct area, and choose a color that suits the brick rather than competing with it.
Give A Red-Brick House A Dark Exterior Update
Painting the brick a deep charcoal changes the whole feel of the facade without changing its shape. In the after photo, the dark exterior and matching trim make the front door stand out more clearly.
This approach can suit a traditional brick home that feels dated, but test paint samples in different light before committing. Brick paint is a major change and can be difficult to reverse, so check that the masonry is in good condition and use a product made for exterior brick.
Update Old Windows With Dark Trim And Shutters
Replacing worn white window trim with black frames and simple wood shutters gives a red-brick facade a cleaner, more finished look. The windows become clearer focal points without changing the brick itself.
This idea works well when the brick is in good condition but the window details look dated. Choose trim and shutters that suit the scale of the windows, and keep the finish consistent across the facade.
Add Shutters To Give Brick Windows More Definition
Adding simple shutters is an easy way to make a red-brick facade feel more finished. Here, pale shutters give the windows clearer edges and help the front of the house look more cared for without changing the brick itself.
This idea works well when the brick is in good shape but the windows look plain or dated. Choose a shutter color that suits the existing trim, and make sure each shutter is sized to look right beside its window rather than just added as decoration.
Create A Clearer Path To The Front Entry
Replacing a cracked concrete walk with a curved brick path gives the entrance a more finished look and makes the route to the door feel intentional. The new steps also tie the walkway into the red-brick house.
For a similar update, choose pavers that suit the home’s brick and leave enough width for comfortable walking. Defined planting beds along the path help keep the edges neat, but avoid crowding the walkway with plants.
Replace A Plain Garage Door With A Wood-Style Design
A garage door takes up a large part of a red-brick facade, so replacing a plain white door can change the look of the whole front of the house. Here, a wood-style door with small upper windows gives the garage a more finished, traditional feel.
This idea works well when the brick and roof are staying as they are. Choose a door style that suits the house, and keep the finish in step with its other exterior details rather than adding too many competing accents.
Give Red Brick A Lighter Exterior Update
Painting the brick and replacing the plain gable siding with vertical panels makes this facade feel more unified and less heavy. The light exterior color also lets the dark shutters stand out without changing the house’s basic shape.
For a similar update, choose a siding and brick color that work together, then test paint samples on a small area before committing. A light finish can suit many traditional brick homes, but it will need periodic cleaning to keep it looking fresh.
Refresh The Brick Steps For A Cleaner Entry
The worn, uneven-looking steps make the entrance feel neglected, even though the brick facade has plenty of character. Rebuilding the steps in clean, matching brick gives the entry a more finished look without changing the house itself.
This idea works well when the front steps are cracked, stained, or out of keeping with the brickwork. Choose a brick color that sits comfortably with the facade, and keep the step width practical so there is room to walk safely.
Add A Pergola To Mark The Front Entry
A simple pergola can give a plain entrance more presence without changing the brick facade. Here, the open structure over the walkway makes the front door easier to notice and gives climbing greenery a place to grow.
This idea works well when the entry sits back from the front wall or feels a little bare. Keep the pergola in scale with the doorway and walkway, and leave enough clearance for easy access.
Add Structure To An Overgrown Foundation Bed
The shrubs along a brick facade can grow together until the windows and lower wall feel crowded. Replacing the overgrowth with a raised, clearly edged bed makes the planting look more intentional and gives the house a cleaner outline.
Keep plants low enough to leave windows visible, and leave room for them to spread as they mature. A simple brick border can suit a red-brick home, but avoid packing the bed too tightly; a few well-spaced shrubs and flowers are easier to maintain.
Replace A Plain Front Door With A Wood-Style Entry
A wood front door can give a red-brick facade a clear focal point without changing the brick itself. Here, replacing the plain white door with a warm wood-style door and a narrow glass panel makes the entry feel more considered.
This idea works well when the brick is in good shape but the front entrance feels dated. Choose a door style that suits the house, and check that the frame and hardware fit the overall look rather than adding too many competing details.
Add Metal Awnings To Give Brick Windows More Character
The plain windows feel more finished with simple metal awnings above them. This is an easy way to give a red-brick facade a clearer focal point without changing the brick itself.
Choose awnings that suit the width of the windows and repeat the same style across the facade. For a similar update, window boxes can add a little color, but keep them modest so the windows remain easy to use and maintain.
Replace Aging Porch Supports With Substantial Columns
The porch roof already gives this red-brick house a strong entry, but its thin metal supports make the front feel tired. Replacing them with larger columns and brick bases makes the porch look sturdier and gives the facade a more finished appearance.
This approach suits older brick homes with a covered porch. Keep the column style in proportion to the roof, and choose finishes that work with the existing brick so the update feels like part of the house.
Update The Entry With Better Lighting
The entry feels more finished after the old globe lights are replaced with simple lantern-style fixtures. Their dark finish suits the brick and door, and the light makes the front entrance easier to see at night.
This is an easy update for a brick home with an existing covered entry. Choose fixtures that fit the scale of the doorway, and check that they provide enough light without being harsh.
Add A Defined Path To The Front Door
A clear walkway makes the entry easier to find and gives the front yard a more finished layout. Here, gravel and stepping stones replace an open stretch of lawn, while low hedges mark the route to the brick steps.
This approach works well when a front door feels disconnected from the yard. Keep the path wide enough to walk comfortably, and choose edging or plants that won’t crowd it as they grow.
Refresh Weathered Gable Siding
The red brick stays the same, but replacing the worn horizontal siding on the upper gable with clean shingle-style siding gives the facade a more finished look. Updating just this prominent section can make an older brick house look cared for without covering or repainting the brick.
This approach works well when the brick is in good shape but the siding above it looks tired. Choose a siding color that suits the brick, and keep the change to one part of the facade for a simple, cohesive update.
Replace Worn Porch Railings With A Cleaner Design
The porch railing was the main feature making this red-brick entry look dated. Replacing the worn white balusters with simple black metal railings gives the porch and steps a neater, more consistent look without changing the brick.
This approach suits a traditional brick home when the porch structure is still in good shape but its details need updating. Choose railing styles that fit the house and check local safety rules for height and spacing before replacing them.
Use Landscape Lighting To Highlight A Brick Facade
The brick exterior feels more welcoming when warm landscape lights brighten the foundation and entry. In the updated version, small uplights also bring the front shrubs into view, giving the facade more definition after dark.
Use a few low-voltage fixtures near the entry and along the foundation rather than lighting every part of the yard. Aim them carefully so they highlight the house without shining into windows or creating glare on the walkway.
Add Window Boxes To A Red-Brick Facade
The brick and dark shutters already give these windows a clear shape, but the bare area below them feels unfinished. Window boxes filled with flowers make the facade look cared for without requiring a major renovation.
Choose boxes that fit the width of the windows and suit the house’s trim, then use plants that can handle the amount of sun the windows get. Keep the flowers from growing so tall that they block the glass.
Rebuild Worn Front Steps In Brick
The cracked concrete steps make the entry look tired, while rebuilding them in brick gives the red-brick facade a more finished, consistent look. New stone treads provide a clean surface for each step without changing the home’s familiar style.
This approach works well when old steps are damaged but the rest of the exterior is in good shape. Choose durable, slip-resistant treads and make sure the step heights stay even for safe footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What colors look best with a red-brick exterior?
A: Warm white, charcoal, and muted green all pair well with red brick. If you’re unsure, test paint samples beside the brick in morning and afternoon light, since its undertones can shift how a color looks.
Q: Can I paint brick instead of replacing it?
A: Yes, but paint changes the brick’s appearance permanently and can make future repairs trickier. Clean and repair the surface first, and use a breathable masonry coating rather than ordinary exterior paint.
Q: How can I update the front of my brick house without a major renovation?
A: Start with smaller changes like a new front door, updated light fixtures, or fresh house numbers. These details can make the entrance feel more current without covering up the brick.
Q: Should I keep the brick visible if I add siding?
A: Usually, yes. Leaving some brick exposed, especially around the entry or on the lower level, adds texture and helps the new siding feel like it belongs.
