Open brickwork in a residential interior will definitely not leave you indifferent. Usually, opinions split from loud enthusiasm to a sincere misunderstanding: "how you can live with THIS." However, if you are a fan of industrial and vintage aesthetics, lofts and interiors with a twist, there is no doubt: if the walls in your home are made of bricks, you should definitely not hide such beauty and rich texture!
Interior by Robert Jenny Design
Brick will never look trite, too philistine or pretentious and will be a great backdrop for both modern and classic furniture... At the same time, you do not have to leave untouched masonry everywhere, just one accent wall in any room of your choice: from the living room and bedroom to the kitchen and bathroom. You do not have to rack your brains about leveling, filling and finishing a brick wall, but you still have to carry out some cosmetic procedures. Let's deal with everything in order!
Photo: StruXture Photography
Cleaning and preparation of old brickwork
Brickwork, especially if it is old, must first be cleaned of old plaster and dirt. To do this, it is enough to spray on the wall a solution of vinegar with water or a solution of a small amount of washing powder with water and 30 gm of salt and wipe it with a cloth. If the dirt is strong, you can try to scrub it off with a stiff brush, but this should be done carefully and somewhere on the edge. Only after making sure that the brick does not begin to crumble, move to the central sections of the wall.
Designed by Laura Garner
Advice: caustic chemistry for cleaning brick walls should be used with the utmost care and only in cases where it simply cannot be done otherwise.
If the dirt is strong or we are talking about a brick fireplace, you can use professional cleaning agents, for example: Neomid 550, Tiprom OTs, Antisolex. Remember to dilute with water and apply only with rubber gloves, taking care to protect your eyes from corrosive substances.
Design by InDesign / Lori Ludwick
It is likely that the old brick will require additional grinding. This can be done using a grinder, a drill with a special nozzle or a wooden block wrapped in sandpaper.
Bold decor: graffiti over brickwork, CityLoft interior
In rooms with high humidity, such as a bathroom or kitchen, brickwork needs to be especially carefully pre-treated in order to prevent the appearance of fungus and mold on its surface.
Memo: if the mortar between the bricks begins to crumble, it must be renewed, especially when it comes to wet rooms.
Interior by Todd Arenson Construction
To strengthen the mortar, the seams between the bricks are cleared ("embroidered") from the old mortar to a depth of about 2 cm, the surface is wiped with a damp cloth, and then filled with fresh mortar using a narrow spatula so that the surface is as smooth as possible. This process is laborious, however, you only have to do it once.
Photo: Corynne Pless
After a couple of days, when the grout between the joints is dry, the brick wall can be finished with a topcoat.
Brickwork processing
The texture of brick in the interior looks good on its own, however, this does not mean that its surface does not need processing, especially when it comes to the wall in the bathroom or the backsplash in the kitchen. This material is porous, which means that it will instantly absorb any splashes of grease, dirt, household chemicals and odors. Of course, your wall will not collapse from a couple of extra spots, but the aesthetic component will be spoiled.
Brick apron in the kitchen, designed by Luxe Interior International
Processing with a special transparent compound will keep the surface intact and protect you from mold. What could it be?
Brick and tile can be harmoniously combined in one interior, designed by British Standard by Plain English
You can protect stone and brick from moisture, detergents and grease using impregnate... This is a composition of polymers, siloxane compounds and carbohydrates that penetrates the pores without clogging them, but polymerizing, which means the material continues to breathe. On sale, it is easy to find ecological compounds that are completely harmless for use in the kitchen, but will not allow stains from anything to appear on the brick wall.
Brick in the bathroom, designed by The Ransom Company
Advice: an impregnator for a brick wall is preferable to the usual varnish and wax, since it does not clog the pores of the material and does not form a film on its surface, which will inevitably begin to wear off over time. The advantages of varnish include its noticeably lower cost.
Design by Impact Remodeling and Construction
Imprgnats are part of the group water repellents- water-repellent impregnations, which are also actively used for processing bricks both inside and outside the house. Water repellents penetrate the pores of the material and, reacting, form a kind of sealant inside them, due to which water, fat, oil and other undesirable substances cannot penetrate into the brick. Water repellents are environmentally friendly, protect the surface from mold, mildew and ultraviolet, without affecting in any way appearance walls. In addition, the surface treated with this composition is more resistant to mechanical damage and dry cleaning.
We paint a brick wall in the interior
The brick retains its lively and attractive texture even under a layer of paint. For a bedroom or living room, many designers are happy to give preference to decorative painting in light colors, which looks more gentle and sophisticated and allows you to combine all the architectural elements of the wall: cornices, niches, ledges. Most often in interiors, especially of Scandinavian designers, you can find white paint, which is great for small rooms.
Interior by The Grene Group
Memo: The porous texture of the brick absorbs paint very well, so do not rush if you are not sure whether you want to paint your wall. You will have to remove the paint with caustic solvents and, possibly, with the help of professionals.
Photo: Corynne Pless
If you want to get an unobtrusive brick texture, paint the wall in several layers of white paint, if you want to add the effect of a worn, old surface through which the original color shows through, dilute the white paint with water. You can start with a mixture of 3 parts paint to 1 part water and apply it with a large brush in free movements. After allowing the composition to absorb a little into the surface, it can be reapplied, independently varying the amount of water and smudges.
White paint with deliberate scuffs, interior by Increation
Advice: if White color If you don't like it, choose a gray paint for a brick wall - this is a universal background for any furniture and accessories.
White or gray brick wall perfect for showcasing a collection of paintings or family photos, design by Mikel Irastorza
Another interesting option for decorating a brick wall, the so-called "stained" brick. If the original color of the brick seems too light for you, it can be stained, similar to wood. The brick will darken, keeping its texture in its original form. In this way, you can create a truly amazing effect of old masonry even in a new house, although it will take quite a long time. To make the aging effect look natural, almost every brick will have to be painted separately with a small brush.
Very old or stained brick effect, design by Laura Garner
Brickwork in the interior is a solution that does not become outdated and has not gone out of fashion for many years. Of course, such a wall will require some measures of restoration and processing, however, all of them are not comparable in terms of money and time with the usual leveling, putty and plaster and will definitely not create a unique atmosphere in your home.
The living room, with its accent brick wall, has a special atmosphere of coziness and style.
Moreover, the color of the brick can be very different, the main thing is that it should be in harmony with the general atmosphere of the interior.
The brick living room is very much in demand in Europe and the USA. The fireplace against the background of a brick wall immediately transfers to the times of towers and castles.
And a plasma TV screen on a stylish wall gives the room the warmth of a home.
Brick wall in the interior of the living room, in contrast to the painted or wallpapered walls, it does not require additional decoration, since the accent wall made of masonry itself is a decoration in the interior of the room.
Living room design styles
A brick wall will not become superfluous, no matter what style the room is decorated in. Of course, the loft style is the first thing that comes to mind when you want to decorate your room with masonry.
After all, it is this design style that almost requires the presence of such a wall there.
A photo of a brick living room will show that this method of decoration looks great in the style of the Scandinavian direction, and country, and in minimalism.
Even in such a soft style as shabby chic and touching provence, a stone wall will not be a hindrance.
But still, the masonry gives more preference to the loft. It is this style that is the progenitor stone wall in the interior, as it takes roots from the times of the 20s, when the attic premises were equipped for living rooms.
Back then, brick walls were a natural phenomenon and were not subject to additional decoration.
Using bricks as decor
A living room with a brick wall is an alternative to using masonry as a decor in the interior. However, there are still many options for using bricks in their original form to accentuate any element in a room setting.
For example, brick partition, separating the kitchen from the dining room, will perfectly fulfill the function of zoning in the room. A brick fireplace or a niche in the wall will serve as a decoration for the room and bring a zest to the interior.
Masonry processing
By doing interior decoration brick house, one of the walls, which I would like to emphasize, can be left as it is.
If, however, the internal work has already been carried out, then the decorated side must be cleaned before masonry. This option is suitable for saving the area of the room, so that, when erecting new masonry, you do not reduce precious centimeters.
And in big room it will be easier to overlay one of the walls with new bricks. One way or another, you need to work hard in order to turn the masonry into an element of decor.
In order for the stone to have a neat and pretty look, the wall must be treated with a brick impregnation. It will close the pores in the mortar and masonry material, which will protect against clogging of dust there.
In addition to impregnation, there are also solutions for giving the stone different effects. They can be used if you want to give the masonry the impression of antiquity or highlight the structure of the brick.
If the idea of designing a living room with a brick wall was not to accentuate it, but to create a background decorative element, then the masonry is painted in the same tone with all the walls in the room.
V scandinavian style the design of the room is a prerequisite for painting all the textured elements, so the whole room, together with the masonry, acquires one tone, mostly white.
Masonry replacement option
It so happens that the idea of a design is very pleasant, but it is not always possible to bring it to life.
Do not be upset if you cannot lay brickwork from real bricks in your house. Building materials are presented in the stores, making it possible to implement an idea using substitute products.
It is worth noting that a living room with a brick wall made of unnatural stone looks quite original and is excellent option to accentuate a part of the interior.
Fake masonry usually does not finish the entire wall, but only its details, such as an arch or corner. The fireplace, lined with material imitating brick, will acquire an expressive and lively look.
Brick, as well as its imitation, looks original, fashionable and beautiful in the design of the room.
And most importantly, this idea can be used in almost any style you like with the possibility of repainting and updating the wall color in the future.
Brick living room design photo
Brick walls have long been firmly established in modern interiors as key element loft style and an indicator of the good taste of the owner of the house.
Why has ordinary brickwork become so popular and is most often used in the central room - the living room?
According to some designers, a beautiful brick wall adds texture and unique character and charm to the living room. Others consider it to be an expression of the building's rich historical past, a mixture of past and present. For others, the presence of a wall of bricks in the living room is a manifestation of individuality and elegance, as opposed to the already boring interiors with a predominance of glass and stone finishes.
Whatever the motive, love for the loft style, a brick wall in the living room - this is serious and for a long time! An open brick wall in a living room can have a wide range of shapes and colors, depending on whether the interior style is industrial, shabby chic, modern or vintage.
Today you have the opportunity to see 60 gorgeous living rooms with brick walls that will enchant, inspire and make you create.
Watch and enjoy!
1. Living rooms with brick walls in a modern style
Modern living rooms with an accent on the brick wall are trending now. In this case, the brickwork can be open or neatly covered with a layer of paint on top. In the second case, the color and style of the bricks correlates with the design of the living room. For example, white brickwork always looks advantageous and neutral.
A more dynamic option would be a brick wall in a deep gray shade or even black - which would be a frankly bold decision.
The classic red brick wall certainly looks aesthetically pleasing and takes its leading place in the modern living room, where the rest of the interior is neutral and, if possible, does not attract the main attention.
2. Decorating a brick wall with paintings / posters
An exposed brick wall can be a great bright backdrop for showcasing art collections or favorite family photos. Such a home gallery on a brick wall looks more expressive and attractive.
With the right décor and accessories lighting, a brick-walled living room can become much more visually appealing, and furniture in neutral tones can be more visible.
However, decorating a room with brick walls requires thoughtfulness and adherence to a clear design project in order to interesting idea did not result in an incomprehensible eclectic mix or an awkward mess due to poor planning.
3. Industrial style
Brick walls look good in interiors different styles... But there is a style with which they make a great pair - industrial.
In an industrial setting, brickwork works well with exposed ventilation pipes, large windows with dark metal frames, exposed ceiling beams and bulky metal fixtures. These pieces are the perfect set for creating the perfect industrial-style living room.
Meanwhile, heavy wood ceiling beams along with brick walls can be an excellent backdrop for Mediterranean or rustic interiors.
Brick is used everywhere, and not only in capital construction. This material is no less widely used in interior design. Designers are especially active in using natural and artificial decorative bricks in the kitchen. Associations arise with a burning fireplace, hearth and family warmth. It is enough to look at photos of chic dining rooms and kitchens with the use of masonry to get inspired and decide on such an alteration at home. It turns out that this is not difficult.
A trendy and stylish element of the interior - a brick wall is found in many design styles. If desired, it can organically fit into any kitchen. Depending on the type of masonry, its color, shape, texture, you can design and present the same wall in completely different ways.
Industrial romance - loft style
One of the most popular and popular styles today is the loft. The main features of a loft in the interior are rough, raw materials, an abundance of free space and light. Brick is a favorite building material in this attic area.
Play on contrast - white walls, stained blocks
All materials are combined in one interior
A brick wall in a loft-style kitchen looks very organic. Designers often zone the kitchen space with contrasting wall decoration. For example, this could be untreated floor-to-ceiling masonry in the work area. Another option is a small dedicated area in the dining area.
A high narrow brick insert visually makes the already high ceiling even higher
For large rooms, this style is indispensable.
Often brick blocks are present not only on the wall, but also in the design of other elements of the kitchen. Most often these are columns, a bar counter, a kitchen island. So the bright wall does not stand out from the overall picture. But sometimes it serves the opposite function, clearly standing out from the rest of the kitchen.
Even a small insert looks very impressive
The masonry combines the premises of the first and second level of the apartment
Rustic charm - country style
The rustic style has been popular among designers for a long time and does not give up its positions. Natural materials, elements of folk art, handicrafts, an abundance of textiles and handmade decorative trifles are what attracts the country style.
Splitting the wall into two halves
Vintage furniture and decorative blocks
Country in French style - Provence, goes well with brick inserts in the design of the walls of the kitchen. Natural masonry, painted white, or imitation of ceramic tiles, most often in pastel colors, can be used.
Modern provence with ceramic tiles
Old dilapidated blocks look very natural
Such a wall is not accentuated, it does not serve as a contrasting element. Rather, on the contrary, it should be an unobtrusive background for bright thematic accents - pastoral paintings, compositions of fresh flowers, open shelves with ceramic figures and other traditional French decoration elements.
Painted brick looks good against the background of greenery.
American country music is designed in red and orange colors natural wood and red brick. Masonry in the kitchen in this style should be unprocessed, natural, with all its flaws and defects. The imagination draws pictures from old westerns where you can get a good look at this style of interior.
American style kitchen with fireplace
Other popular styles in the kitchen
The minimalist, light, laconic Scandinavian style is now known far beyond the borders of its homeland. A kitchen designed in this way will be spacious, functional and practical, the decor will be as simple as possible, without pretentiousness. Brick in the interior of the kitchen in the Scandinavian style is often found.
A lot of white and a contrasting wall
The classic Gothic style also includes brick elements, in particular in the decoration of the walls. In a Gothic-style kitchen, one wall or part of it can be distinguished by masonry. You can arrange window openings or a fireplace area. Old dilapidated brick, cracked and blackened from time to time, is welcome. Such a gloomy design transports the residents to an old medieval castle.
Gloomy tones - business card gothic style
Advantages and disadvantages of using masonry
When arranging your home, and especially the kitchen, it is important to take into account not only the appearance, but also the practicality of the interior, its functionality and convenience. Not everyone dares to allocate an entire wall for brickwork in their kitchen. In an aesthetic sense, to do or not to do masonry in the kitchen is a matter of taste for each person, but otherwise this decor element has its pros and cons.
The bar counter is also lined with brick
The advantages of using bricks in the interior
Brick wall:
- a great way to zoning space;
- serves as an unobtrusive background for any decor;
- inexpensive material, does not require additional finishing;
- there is no doubt about the durability of this material;
- you can arrange a wall with a brick in one row with your own hands even without having construction skills;
- the technical properties of bricks provide heat and sound insulation of the kitchen.
A great choice for finishing a kitchen apron
Important! The main thing is to use a brick finish in dosage. If you decide to save on finishing all the walls and leave them brick, you are unlikely to achieve the effect of coziness and home furnishings. Everything should be in moderation.
Disadvantages of using brick blocks
In addition to such a large number of obvious advantages, brickwork, as an element of decor in the kitchen, has disadvantages:
- brick is not the most practical material. Since its structure is not homogeneous, dust and grease from the stove accumulates in the seams. The brick wall will have to be constantly looked after;
- what you won't be able to save on - lighting. Natural red brick reflects poorly and does not scatter light, which is why a gloomy atmosphere reigns in the kitchen with insufficient lighting. There should be an order of magnitude more luminaires than when using other materials;
- in addition to a lack of illumination, an overabundance of bricks in the interior can visually reduce the room, making it cramped and gloomy.
Even on the floor this universal material
What to consider when decorating walls with bricks
If you are inspired by the idea of decorating your kitchen brickwork, you can implement this idea with your own hands. Depending on what end result you want to get, you need to choose the material and type of masonry, as well as the subsequent design of the finished masonry.
It is better to leave old masonry intact.
Selection of material by composition
If the wall that you plan to make brick is built of brick, consider yourself very lucky. All you have to do is carefully clean the brickwork from exterior decoration and dirt: putty, wallpaper, paint, etc. This can be done mechanically or chemically - using special means.
Combined with sophisticated furnishings and accessories, the masonry does not look rough
If you don't have a real brick wall, you will have to get out of the situation differently. Decorative bricks for kitchen decoration are made from the following materials:
- clay ( ceramic tile);
- lime-sand mortar (silicate brick);
- lime-cement mixture;
- gypsum and gypsum mixtures.
The last option, gypsum, is most often used to imitate brickwork in interior decoration. The shape, size and structure of tiles can be very diverse. In length and width, gypsum tiles repeat the parameters of real blocks, but their thickness is very small - about 5 mm.
Externally, gypsum boards imitating bricks can be not only traditionally red. The range of colors is very wide: from natural white for painting to complex colors of several shades with transitions using the ombre technique.
The structure of gypsum tiles is also different. Smooth glossy - for lovers of classics, antique rustic - for vintage looks in the interior. Another popular type decorative finishing- "chipped" brick with ragged edges. Multifaceted tiles look voluminous and quite original. The masonry resembles a natural, “wild” rocky shore.
To add variety, use blocks of different shades.
Another worthwhile option is ceramic tiles that imitate brick. It is lightweight, it is easier to lay it, it looks like it is not inferior to facing brick. It is easy to work with such tiles. The tile is glazed to give it a glossy sheen. But you can also pick up a matte version. It looks amazing not only as an apron over the work surface, but also as a full-fledged wall decoration.
Wall panels made of mdf with imitation of laid out blocks are an option for those who do not want to bother with laying and jointing. The finished panels are large enough to fit in a few hours. At first glance, it is impossible to distinguish a real brick wall from a "fake" one.
Fast and beautiful
How to decorate a brick beautifully
The natural color of the brickwork does not always match the designer's style. You can work on the masonry, this only makes it more interesting and unusual. The easiest option is to cover it with clear varnish. After such simple manipulations, you will notice that the brick played with new colors, revived and refreshed.
Coating with varnish will protect the masonry
A popular method is painting the brick to match the rest of the walls. Thus, the wall with masonry stands out from the rest only by its texture, which in itself is a very interesting move.
White paint looks good in the kitchen
Placing masonry in the interior of the kitchen
In order for the original wall to successfully fit into the interior, you need to choose not only the material and type of masonry, but also its placement inside the room. The entire mood of the kitchen will depend on the location of the contrasting brick wall, whether it will be gloomy or light and airy.
Lots of light in the kitchen
The first rule of a light, unobtrusive interior is that a prominent wall should be illuminated. It is better if it is located opposite the window. Combine several suitable finishing materials... Best of all, a brick is in harmony with others. natural materials- wood, metal, stone. Another good neighbor of this material is concrete.
Lots of wood and original wall decor
How to care for decorative masonry
Taking care of indoor brickwork is not very difficult. The main thing is to clean the masonry from the accumulated dust in time. The peculiarity of the operation and maintenance of bricks in the kitchen is the likelihood of complex contamination. Due to its porous structure, brick tends to absorb everything that is spilled on it.
Open shelving on red brick background
Fat is especially dangerous. An oil stain on a single clay block can ruin the look of your entire kitchen. If such a situation does arise, the stain should be wiped off as soon as possible with white spirit or other strong solvent.
Kitchen masonry always looks different
Another problem is that from the ingress of moisture on the surface of the brick, whitish salt stains can appear, causing many inconveniences to the owner of the kitchen. It is useless to fight them, since salt is present in the solution itself, on which the brick was laid. You can get rid of salt stains using special acid-based products.
How to make a brick wall in the kitchen
Laying out a wall of decorative bricks with your own hands is not difficult. Since this structure will not bear the load, the main thing is to do everything nicely and neatly. Materials that will be needed for work:
- imitation tiles;
- tile adhesive;
- building level.
Use a notched trowel to apply the adhesive
The step-by-step process of laying bricks on a wall indoors can be described as follows:
- To begin with, the tiles are laid out "dry", without mortar. This is done in order to trim those elements that will be at the edges, and to determine the thickness of the seam.
- The adhesive is applied with a notched trowel to the substrate. Then the first brick is laid on it. It must be carefully leveled. If the masonry in your kitchen falls on the corner of the room, you will have to start with it.
Start from the corners
- When several rows of corner bricks are laid, pull the thread so that the subsequent elements of the row are even.
- A tourniquet of the same thickness is laid between the rows before the subsequent sealing of the seams;
The seam width must be the same
- All other rows fit similarly. Every few rows, you need to check the masonry in all directions using a level.
Important! Glue that comes out during laying and stains the front side must be removed immediately with a dry cloth. Once dry, this will be much more difficult to do.
- This is followed by the jointing. Different methods can be used: with a roller outward, in undercut, recessed, etc. To beautifully embroider the seams of decorative masonry, you need to have some experience in this matter.
Decorative bricks in the kitchen must be laid carefully, especially for jointing and painting. It is very difficult to erase poorly applied paint from masonry. That is why an experienced craftsman should work with decorative bricks. A designer will help you choose a design option, and a professional builder will carry out his idea.