27 Brick House Exterior Ideas
Brick has been a trusted building material for centuries, admired for its strength, warmth, and timeless character.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through 27 brick house exterior ideas, each one carefully detailed with insights, stats, and practical advice. Think of it as sitting down with a friend who’s already tested dozens of brick styles and is about to spill all the secrets.
1. Classic Red Brick Charm
There’s something deeply comforting about red brick homes. According to the Brick Industry Association, more than 60% of U.S. homes built before used red brick in some form.
That’s not just tradition—it’s durability proven by decades of weather. Red brick pairs well with white trim, black shutters, and a pitched roof. If you want your house to feel like it belongs in a Norman Rockwell painting, this is the way to go.
2. Whitewashed Brick for Modern Simplicity
A whitewashed brick exterior gives your home a softened, airy feel. Unlike painting, whitewashing allows some of the brick’s natural texture to peek through.
It’s like putting on a linen shirt—casual, fresh, but still structured. This style is excellent if you want rustic charm blended with a modern edge.
3. Painted Black Brick Drama
Painting brick black might sound bold, but the results are striking. A black brick exterior turns your house into a modern sculpture.
Pair it with sleek glass windows and steel accents, and you’ve got curb appeal that makes passersby slow down for a second look. According to Zillow, dark exteriors can increase home value by up to $6,000 compared to lighter colors.
4. Tudor-Inspired Brick and Timber
If you’ve ever admired English cottages, you’ll love the brick-and-timber Tudor look. The trick is mixing exposed brick walls with dark timber beams.
This gives the home a storybook character, like something out of Shakespeare’s countryside. You’ll get a mix of cozy tradition with undeniable elegance.
5. Rustic Farmhouse Brick
Farmhouse exteriors often lean heavily on wood, but brick farmhouses create a sturdier, longer-lasting impression.
Add a wrap-around porch, some rocking chairs, and muted brick tones like tan or cream, and you’ll have that “Sunday sweet tea” atmosphere nailed down.
6. Brick with Stone Accents
Blending brick and stone is like pairing wine with cheese—they complement each other beautifully. A brick exterior with stone pillars or stone window trim gives your home both variety and grandeur.
In regions where harsh weather is common, this combination also provides excellent durability.
7. Brick with Vinyl Siding Contrast
For a more budget-friendly choice, try brick mixed with vinyl siding. This is common in suburban homes, where brick is used on the lower portion and siding covers the upper stories.
It’s practical, stylish, and gives you flexibility in color choices while still keeping the classic feel of brick.
8. Cottage-Style Brick Exterior
A brick cottage can look straight out of a fairy tale. Use rounded entryways, arched windows, and lighter-colored brick like pale red or buff. Add climbing ivy or roses, and suddenly your home whispers of hidden gardens and secret tea parties.
9. Minimalist Modern Brick
Minimalist exteriors often shy away from brick, but when done right, clean-lined modern brick designs are breathtaking. Use uniform bricks in monochrome shades, flat roofs, and large windows. The effect is sleek, sophisticated, and effortlessly cool.
10. Brick and Glass Fusion
One of the hottest architectural trends is pairing brick with glass walls. Brick grounds the home with tradition, while expansive glass panels invite natural light. This creates a balance between old-world sturdiness and new-age transparency.
11. Colonial-Style Brick Exterior
Colonial homes often feature symmetrical red brick facades, black shutters, and centered front doors. This style has endured for centuries because it works—simple, balanced, and respectable. If you want a home that says, “I’ll never go out of style,” colonial is a safe bet.
12. Mid-Century Modern Brick Home
Mid-century modern architecture embraced brick in new, creative ways. Think flat planes, large windows, and a mix of wood and brick. If you’re a fan of Mad Men-era design, a brick mid-century modern home nails that retro sophistication.
13. Brick Ranch Homes
Ranch-style brick homes became especially popular in the 1950s and 1960s. They’re single-story, sprawling, and practical. A fresh coat of paint or limewash can instantly modernize these homes without losing their easygoing charm.
14. Mixed-Tone Brick Patterns
Instead of sticking to one color, try mixed brick tones—reds, browns, grays, even black bricks interwoven. It’s like patchwork quilting, but for your house. The mix adds visual interest and uniqueness, making your home stand out in the neighborhood.
15. Brick with Bold Trim Colors
Sometimes the magic is in the details. A brick home with bold trim colors—like navy blue shutters, forest green doors, or even sunny yellow frames—instantly feels livelier. Brick is timeless, but trim lets you play with personality.
16. Industrial Loft Brick Look
Industrial design thrives on exposed brick and steel accents. Translate this to a house exterior by using darker bricks, metal railings, and large rectangular windows. The result feels urban and stylish, perfect for city homes or converted warehouse spaces.
17. Brick with Copper Accents
Few materials age as beautifully as copper and brick together. Over time, copper develops a green patina, while brick weathers into softer tones. Together, they create a dynamic exterior that looks better with each passing year.
18. Brick Porch Extensions
Sometimes, the porch is the soul of the house. Adding a brick porch extension creates not only functional outdoor space but also architectural depth. Use the same brick as the main structure for cohesion, or contrast it slightly for layered charm.
19. European-Inspired Brick Villas
Europe, especially Italy and France, has long celebrated brick villas. These often feature warm, earthy tones and arched doorways. A courtyard with brick flooring adds to the Mediterranean feel, transporting you abroad every time you step outside.
20. Brick and Wood Combination
Brick and wood exteriors combine sturdiness with warmth. Brick provides permanence, while wood adds a cozy, approachable vibe. A brick base with wooden gables, for example, balances both elegance and homeliness.
21. Contemporary Brick Patterns
Architects today often experiment with bricklaying patterns—stack bond, herringbone, or basketweave—to make exteriors visually compelling. It’s proof that even something as traditional as brick can feel cutting-edge with the right twist.
22. Brick Townhouse Style
In cities like New York, brick townhouses are iconic. Narrow, tall, and efficient, these homes use brick to withstand urban hustle while offering timeless curb appeal. A fresh repaint or modern door can keep the look updated without losing its charm.
23. Sustainable Brick Homes
Modern concerns about the environment make sustainable brick choices important. Bricks are often made from clay and can be recycled. Some eco-friendly builders even use reclaimed brick, giving old materials a second life while cutting down carbon footprint.
24. Brick with Outdoor Landscaping Harmony
A home’s exterior isn’t just walls—it’s also how it interacts with nature. Brick paired with landscaping—flower beds, hedges, and climbing vines—creates harmony. Studies show that homes with intentional landscaping can boost resale value by up to 15%.
25. Brick Garages and Extensions
Don’t overlook your garage. Building a brick garage or adding brick extensions ensures the entire property feels cohesive. It’s like matching your shoes to your belt—subtle, but it pulls the whole outfit together.
26. Mixed-Material Modern Brick Homes
Today’s architects love mixed-material exteriors. Pair brick with steel, glass, or even concrete for dramatic contrasts. This approach highlights the texture of brick while adding a futuristic edge. It’s a bold way to make your home look one-of-a-kind.
27. Luxury Estate Brick Exteriors
Finally, nothing screams timeless grandeur like a luxury estate in full brick. Think sweeping driveways, brick chimneys, and grand arches. While pricier, this option often yields the highest returns—homes with brick exteriors can sell for up to 6–8% more, according to Realtor.com.
Conclusion on 27 Brick House Exterior Ideas
Brick isn’t just a building block—it’s a storyteller. From the modest ranch to the grand estate, each of these 27 ideas shows how versatile, stylish, and enduring brick can be. Whether you lean traditional with red brick colonial vibes or push the boundaries with sleek black modern designs, brick adapts to your vision. It’s tough enough to outlast storms, beautiful enough to win admiration, and flexible enough to suit both rustic cottages and futuristic homes.