I’ve noticed that a brick house often looks its best from the street when the facade feels balanced against the roofline and entryway. Painting the brick pulls everything together in a way that plain mortar lines never quite manage, softening the overall mass while letting architectural details stand out. When I experimented with a muted blue on a small section of our own exterior years ago, it shifted how the whole front read in different lights, making it less boxy and more approachable. These modern ideas lean into colors and textures that enhance curb appeal without clashing against neighboring homes or the yard. Some of them are practical enough to test on your place next season.
Modern White Brick with Warm Wood Door
A simple way to refresh a painted brick house is with a solid wood front door. Here the white brick stays crisp and clean, almost glowing in the evening light. But that deep oak door pulls everything together. It brings some natural warmth right to the entry without overdoing it. The black frame keeps things sharp too.
This works best on ranch or mid-century homes where you want modern lines but not a cold feel. Go for a door in teak or oak, maybe with a matching handle. Add slim wall lights like these for evenings. Skip busy trim around it. Just low boxwoods at the base and you’re set… easy curb appeal that lasts.
Dark Painted Brick with Wood Entry Overhang
Dark painted brick gives this house a bold, modern edge that feels right at home among tall trees. The black finish on the brick walls looks sleek and timeless, while the overhanging wood canopy at the entry adds a touch of natural warmth. That simple contrast keeps the facade from feeling too stark. It’s a fresh take on brick that updates older styles without much fuss.
You can pull this off on ranch homes or new contemporary builds, especially where you want curb appeal that ties into the yard. Paint standard brick black for depth, then add a cedar or similar wood roofline over the front door for balance. Concrete steps and a gravel path like this one lead right in. Just make sure the wood is protected from weather, and it holds up well.
Red Painted Brick on a Modern Facade
Red painted brick works well when you want a modern house to have some warmth and color. Here the bold red covers the main wall, next to a light stucco patio area under a simple black metal pergola. It keeps things clean and current, without old-school heaviness. Large glass sliding doors let the inside flow right out to the yard.
Paint a single wall or accent area red if your home has straight lines and flat roofs. It suits places with sunny yards where you need that pop against concrete paths or gravel. Skip it on super traditional houses though. The color holds up outside, just clean the surface first for even coverage.
Two-Tone Painted Brick Facade
Painted brick gets a modern twist here with blue on the garage wing and white across the main house. The contrast pulls the eye right to the entry without much fuss. Black window frames and a simple overhang keep things sharp and grounded.
This setup works best on homes with some boxy shape already. It suits suburbs or milder climates where you want curb appeal that reads fresh but not flashy. Stick to matte paints for low upkeep, and let plants soften the base like they do here.
Dark Painted Brick with Teal Front Door
Painting the brick on an older row house a deep charcoal gray completely changes how the place reads from the street. That bold teal door pulls everything together. It sits there like a friendly signal, making the entry the clear focus without any fuss. The dark walls let the color pop, and it turns a plain brick facade into something modern and lively.
This setup works well on attached homes or narrow city lots where you want quick curb appeal. Start with clean, solid brick before painting, then pick a door hue like teal that contrasts but stays in the cool family. Frame it with black lanterns and a couple boxwood topiaries in matching pots. Skip it on super sunny spots, though. The dark paint can feel heavy in bright light.
Light Painted Brick with Black Metal Trim
A light beige painted brick gives this house a soft, warm base that’s easy on the eyes. Black metal frames the tall windows and stretches into a simple overhang above the door. That contrast punches up the modern feel, making the whole front look clean and current without any fuss.
Try this on a two-story home where the brick covers most of the walls. It suits city streets or suburbs with trees overhead. Pair it with low steps and minimal plants along the base… keeps the focus right on the house. Just make sure the black trim is slim, not chunky.
White Painted Brick with Navy Doors
A simple way to refresh a brick house is painting it white and adding navy blue doors. The light brick brightens everything up. Then those deep navy garage and entry doors add real punch. It’s clean. Modern. And pulls the eye right to the front.
This works best on homes with some traditional lines like gables or arches. The contrast keeps it from feeling too plain. Paint the brick if yours is dingy. Swap doors for navy ones. Add lanterns by the entry for evenings. Just right for curb appeal without overdoing it.
Wood Accents on Stone Exteriors
One simple way to update a stone or brick house is by adding wood accents to the overhangs and balconies. Here the warm cedar panels on the cantilevered upper level sit right over the beige stone base. It brings some natural texture up top and makes the whole side of the house feel less boxy and more connected to the trees and yard around it.
This approach fits homes with a solid lower story that need a bit more life higher up. Try it on a lakeside place or anywhere with views since the wood ceiling shelters the patio below while letting in light. Just match the wood tone to your site so it doesn’t stick out too much.
Painted White Brick with Dark Green Door
A dark green front door stands out nicely against white painted brick. It refreshes the whole facade without much fuss. Here the green picks up on window trim and lanterns too. That pulls everything together in a calm way. The arched porch adds some character but keeps it simple.
This look suits older homes like bungalows or Craftsman styles. Paint the brick soft white first. Then go bold on the door with a shade like forest green. Add matching lights and a bit of greenery around the steps. It boosts curb appeal on a street of plain brick houses. Just match the green to your roof or plants so it doesn’t clash.
Soft Pastel Painted Brick Exteriors
Painting brick houses in soft pastel shades like light blue and mint green gives traditional row homes a fresh modern feel. These colors tone down the usual red brick look while keeping the sturdy charm intact. Black shutters and iron balconies add just enough contrast to make everything pop without overwhelming the gentle tones.
This approach works best on older townhouses or attached homes in walkable neighborhoods. Pick shades that match your local light, maybe cooler blues near the coast. Keep plantings simple around the base so the painted brick stays the focus. Just test a small area first, since brick soaks up paint differently.
Navy Painted Brick with Teal Accents
Painting the brick on this house a deep navy blue turns a standard facade into something sleek and modern right away. The matching teal on the front door and garage door pulls it together with just enough bright contrast. It feels bold but not overdone, especially with the simple plants out front keeping things grounded.
This look suits homes with clean lines, like ranches or contemporaries that need a quick refresh. Go for high-quality exterior masonry paint to let the brick breathe, and stick to one or two accent colors so it doesn’t get busy. Works best in milder climates where the dark shade won’t fade too fast.
Wood Siding on Light Brick Exterior
Light brick makes up the base and pillars here, paired with vertical cedar siding across the main walls. That mix softens the brick look while adding real warmth and texture. It’s a straightforward way to modernize an older brick house without a full redo.
This setup suits ranch-style homes or anything low and horizontal. Go for warm-toned wood like cedar or teak to contrast the pale brick, and keep the entry simple with a wood overhang and slim windows. Skip busy details around the door to let the materials stand out.
Light Gray Brick with Black Metal Accents
One straightforward way to update a brick house is painting it a soft light gray, then layering on black metal details for contrast. This setup keeps the brick texture you like but gives the whole front a cleaner, more current feel. The black frames around windows and balconies stand out nicely against the pale brick, without overwhelming things.
It works best on townhouses or narrow urban lots where you want some punch up close. Pair the black with a bit of wood, like on the entry overhang here, to warm it up. Just keep the black to trim and railings so the brick stays the star. Skip it on super sunny spots, though, or the glare might wash everything out.
Barn Door Entry on Painted Brick
A big sliding barn door like this one makes a strong statement on a light painted brick wall. It’s dark wood against the soft grayish tones of the brick, and it slides open to reveal glass doors inside. That contrast pulls your eye right to the entry without overwhelming the simple brick look. Folks like it because it mixes old barn style with something more open and modern.
You can pull this off on ranch homes or additions where you want curb appeal that feels fresh but not fussy. Go for a door at least eight feet tall to match the scale, and pair it with those glass panels for light. Works best if your brick is painted a neutral shade… just watch the hardware doesn’t get too shiny. Keeps things grounded.
Light Painted Brick with Dark Brick Accents
One straightforward way to update a brick house exterior is painting the main walls in a light beige tone while leaving accent panels in a darker gray brick. This setup shows up nicely here, with the light brick wrapping around the entry and the darker stuff on the side wall. It keeps things modern and clean. The wood front door pulls in some warmth too.
You can pull this off on ranch or contemporary homes that need a refresh. It works best where you want subtle layers without big changes. Just make sure the paint seals well against weather, and flank the door with tall skinny trees like these for scale. Avoid overdoing the dark areas or it might feel heavy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I pick a paint color that actually looks good on my brick house year-round?
A: Paint large sample patches on the south and north sides to catch morning and afternoon light. Walk away, then come back the next day to check. This simple trick saves you from a color that flops in real life.
Q: Do I really need to power wash before painting?
A: Power wash first to blast off dirt, mildew, and loose bits. It gives new paint real grip so it won’t flake off soon. Skip it, and you’ll regret the peeling mess later.
Q: What paint type holds up best outside on brick?
A: Go for 100% acrylic latex made for masonry. It breathes with the brick and shrugs off rain. Brush it on thick for that smooth, fresh finish.
Q: How do I keep the painted brick looking sharp over time?
A: Rinse it yearly with a garden hose to knock off pollen and dust. Spot touch-up scuffs right away with matching paint. And trim back overgrown bushes—they trap moisture.
