I’ve noticed how painting a red brick house can refresh its curb appeal without hiding the sturdy texture that makes these homes enduring.
One local place I pass often chose a muted blue-gray that made the front entry and gabled roofline stand out sharply against the chimney.
From the street, folks first spot how the facade ties into the roof and siding, and getting that balance right turns heads every time.
These approaches consider real-world factors like sun exposure and neighboring styles, so they hold up better than trendy one-offs.
A few tweaks here are worth sketching for your own setup.
Covered Porch on Red Brick House
A covered porch like this one pulls the front of a red brick house together nicely. It sits out from the facade with sturdy columns and a wide overhang that gives the whole entry a solid, welcoming feel. The brick steps up to it match the house walls, and simple lanterns light it up at dusk without overdoing things.
This setup works best on older-style homes or bungalows where you want to highlight the brick without changing much. Add matching planters on the porch edges for some green, and keep the path leading to it clean with pavers. It suits suburban lots with a lawn out front, just make sure the roofline ties into the main house so it doesn’t look added on later.
Red Brick House with Blue Shutters
Blue shutters give this red brick house a fresh coastal feel. The brick looks softer here, maybe painted or washed, and those shutters pop against it without overwhelming the look. The white porch columns tie it all together for something classic yet lively.
This setup works great on older homes or farmhouses wanting a seaside update. Paint your brick first if it’s too harsh, then add shutters to windows facing the front. Keep the porch simple with plain columns. It suits milder climates where you want curb appeal that lasts year-round.
Climbing Roses on Red Brick
Red brick houses often have that solid, sturdy look. But adding climbing roses changes things. They grow right up the walls, covering parts of the brick with pink and white blooms. It softens the whole facade and gives a cozy cottage feel. In this setup, the roses frame the entry without hiding the brick texture.
You can do this on older homes or new builds with painted red brick. Pick tough climbers like New Dawn or Cecile Brunner that handle walls well. Train them on simple wires or trellises near the door. It works best where you get some sun on that side. Just trim them back each year to keep the door clear.
Climbing Roses on Red Brick
Climbing roses work wonders on a red brick house like this one. They grow right up the walls around the entry door and windows, with white blooms spilling over the sturdy brick. It takes that solid facade and gives it a softer, more lived-in cottage feel without hiding the brick at all.
Try this on traditional brick homes, especially ones with arches or corners near the front door. Pick a rambling variety that flowers a lot, and train it along the mortar lines or add simple wires for support. It suits country or village settings best, and just keep it trimmed so it does not overwhelm the path or windows.
Red Brick Paired with Black Framing
Red brick gets a sharp modern edge when you add black metal framing around the windows and balcony. Here the warm brick walls mix with sleek black accents that make the house feel current without losing that solid, classic feel. It stands out nicely against a natural setting like this ocean view spot.
This look works best on two-story homes or ones with some overhang, like a cantilevered balcony for shade and views. Try it on coastal or hillside properties where the brick grounds things and the black keeps it crisp. Just make sure the metal is powder-coated to handle weather, and keep plantings simple around the base so the contrast pops.
Lantern Lighting on Red Brick Exteriors
Red brick houses look great with lanterns like these. They cast a soft glow that picks out the brick texture and any gothic details without much effort. At dusk, the light from a couple of posts and wall fixtures turns a plain facade into something noticeable. It’s that easy warmth people drive by and remember.
Put lanterns near the entry gate or steps on homes with traditional brick. They suit older styles or painted red brick that needs a little pop. Go for black metal ones with clear glass. Skip bright LEDs, though. Stick to warmer bulbs so it feels homey, not like a parking lot. Works fine year round if you add timers.
Turquoise Door on Red Brick Exterior
A turquoise front door gives this red brick house a fresh pop of color that pulls everything together. The warm tones of the painted brick play nicely against the cool blue, making the entry the clear focal point. Vines climbing the posts and a few potted plants nearby add life without much fuss.
This look suits older brick homes looking for simple curb appeal. It works best where you get good sunlight to show off the colors. Pick a sturdy door that seals well… it’s out there year-round.
Classic Red Brick Stoop Entry
A wide limestone stoop with black wrought iron railings gives this red brick house a formal, welcoming front door approach. The steps lead up to a pedimented entry framed by lanterns, making the whole facade feel more established and put-together without much fuss. It pulls the eye right to the door and softens the bold brick color.
This setup works great on townhouses or row homes in older neighborhoods. Use pale stone steps to contrast the red brick, add simple iron rails for safety and style, and flank the door with matching lanterns. Skip it on super modern homes, though. It suits spots with some walk-up traffic best..
Soft Blue Paint on Red Brick
Painting the red brick on a classic townhouse in a soft blue gray gives it a whole new feel. It tones down the bold red without hiding the brick texture, making the house look more modern yet still rooted in its old-school charm. The color picks up the gray trim and stone steps nicely, and those lit lanterns by the door add a welcoming glow at dusk.
This works best on older brick homes in neighborhoods with a mix of styles, like row houses or colonials. Go for a shade that’s not too bright, maybe with a hint of green undertone to blend with plants. Pair it with black windows and a simple entry porch, and keep landscaping neat with boxwoods. Just test the paint first, brick soaks it up differently.
Pergola Shades Poolside Seating
A simple wooden pergola like this one hugs right up against the red brick house wall. Covered in climbing vines, it creates instant shade over a deep outdoor sofa. That setup turns a plain terrace into a real spot to relax, especially with the pool just steps away. The rustic wood and greenery play off the brick nicely without overpowering it.
You can pull this off on most any house with a side patio or pool deck. Pick pressure-treated timber for the posts and beams to hold up outdoors. Plant quick climbers like clematis or jasmine, and give them a year or two to fill in. Works best on traditional or cottage-style homes…keeps things cozy, not too fussy.
Classic Columns Elevate Red Brick Entries
Tall fluted columns supporting a wide portico make this red brick house entry feel grand and inviting. The white columns contrast nicely with the warm brick below, drawing your eye right to the door without overwhelming the facade. It’s a simple way to add architectural interest that nods to older styles.
You can pull this off on homes with enough front space for the porch footprint. Pair the columns with lanterns like these for soft evening light, and keep the brick clean. It suits traditional or colonial setups best, but scale it down for smaller houses to avoid looking too busy.
Color-Blocked Painted Brick Facade
Painting sections of brick in bold, flat colors turns a standard red brick house into something fresh and eye-catching. Here, dark gray covers one wall, orange another, with yellow around the entry. It keeps the brick texture but adds clean lines that feel modern without big changes.
This approach suits row houses or older homes in town. Let a bright yellow door be the star, like in this setup. Pick three or four colors that sit well together. It shines on streets where subtle updates won’t cut through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need special paint for brick, or will regular house paint work?
A: Grab breathable masonry paint made for brick. It lets moisture escape so your walls stay dry. Regular paint traps water and leads to peeling.
Q: How do I clean old red brick before painting?
A: Rent a pressure washer and blast off dirt, mildew, and loose mortar. Scrub stubborn spots with a stiff brush and trisodium phosphate solution. Give it a full week to dry.
Q: Will the paint hold up in harsh weather?
A: Pick quality exterior acrylic paint and apply two solid coats. It shrugs off rain and sun for 10 years or more with basic touch-ups. Freshen faded spots every few years.
Q: Can I paint just part of the house to test?
A: Test a small, hidden section first. Live with it through a season to check fading and adhesion. That way you commit confidently.
