12 Red Brick House Design Updates with Photos
By: Sarah
We’re big fans of painting brick, and we’re here to help you figure out color palettes that can work if your brick is in need of a refresh. BUT we also totally understand clients who want to leave their brick natural! A red brick house can be beautiful; however, it’s a strong look and can be one of the toughest to work with, particularly for color palettes. We get clients writing in all the time asking us about trim colors that we recommend to go with their red brick houses, what siding colors work best to complement their red brick façades, and more. We figured this roundup might help some of you make decisions on how to update your red brick homes.
Having trouble envisioning updates to your red brick house? That’s why we created our virtual design services. We will help you see what your exterior design updates will look like before you commit by providing you with a rendering of the new look.
#1 // Traditional Two-Story Gets Dressed Up
This traditional two-story red brick home has beautiful architectural lines — it simply needed updated accents to modernize it and dress it up. Benjamin Moore paint colors provided the fresh color palette: Revere Pewter on the trim, Dragon’s Breath to stain the wood siding, and Black on the windows. A darker color on the roof, new wood-look garage door, and copper gutters are the elegant final touches.
#2 // Modern Elements on Classic Red Brick Ranch
This style of red brick ranch home is a classic found in American neighborhoods built after World War II. Modernizing the front porch with new materials made the biggest impact in bringing it into the 21st century. Our designers also recommended removing the shutters (because they weren’t sized correctly) and updating the windows and front door. The wood accents and copper gutters coupled with Sherwin Williams’ Urbane Bronze on the trim tones down the contrast, making the curb appeal more understated.
#3 // Traditional Two-Story with Color Blocking
This traditional two-story home had a second-story pop-out with a Tudor-influenced façade that felt both a bit dated and unfinished. We recommended new Hardie® Panel vertical siding in Benjamin Moore’s Graphite for a color-blocked look. Revere Pewter on the trim highlights the roofline. A new portico over the front door and an elevated walkway lead the eye to the front door.
#4 // Refreshed Red Brick Estate
A few simple updates brought new life to this beautiful traditional two-story. Painting the siding and trim in Benjamin Moore’s Kendall Charcoal and the windows, gutters, new double front door, and metal awning in Onyx provide contrast against the natural red brick. A roof that’s a couple of shades darker than the original ties everything together.
#5 // New Windows + Wood Accents
Another beautiful traditional home that got a facelift from simple updates. New modern black grid windows and a couple of awnings provide a touch of modernity. Next, wood gable accents and a gorgeous double front door coordinate with the copper gutters to accentuate the home’s layers. Finally, a bluestone walkway and new front steps keep things grounded.
#6 // Red Brick + Wood Veneer
This modern home had a darker red brick that lends itself nicely to pairing with wood siding. We recommended using a composite wood grain siding option from Woodtone under the front gable. Black and charcoal gray comes in on the new roof, modern garage door, exterior lighting family, and the trim, rendered in Benjamin Moore’s Onyx. Finally, we recommended new James Hardie standard vertical siding on the upper level, painted in Benjamin Moore’s Rockport Gray.
#7 // Tasteful Updates on Historic Home
This gorgeous historic red brick house got a fresh look with a few intentional updates. First, we recommended new Marvin windows and a new double steel door. Other black accents include the X-style porch railing between the existing brick columns and a Bahama-style shutter over the set of windows to the left of the entrance. Classic copper lighting from Bevolo honors the past. Lastly, Tivertino panels modernize the front door surround on up to the roofline.
#8 // Traditional Ranch with Warm Neutrals
The bright red brick on this traditional mid-century ranch felt high-contrast against the pure white accents. Plus, there was a lot going on with the dark shingle siding, deep blue front door, and the dated gray shingle roof. We recommended letting the brick shine by muting the color palette. The new metal roof is in an understated warm brown that pulls out the copper gutters and exterior lighting as well as the gorgeous new wooden front door. We added an eyebrow roof over the garage for interest. The trim, eaves, soffits, and the new garage door are rendered in Benjamin Moore’s Pale Oak. And new Hardie® Shingle Siding painted in Rockport Gray brightens up the front porch area.
We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will have a significant impact on how a color will appear on your exterior. Our friends at Samplize offer extra-large 9 x 14.75 inch peel-and-stick paint samples of the colors we love for exteriors. Order your ‘Real Paint, No Mess’ samples from Samplize here.
#9 // Red Brick House with Dark, Modern Materials
Moving into more modern design territory is the new exterior design of this split-level home. The red brick is more of an accent on this façade because the siding on the upper level is dominant. We recommended replacing the old siding with Hardie® Panel vertical siding and painting it — and the chimney — in Benjamin Moore’s Graphite. The trim and eaves are rendered in Sherwin Williams’ Tricorn Black, which plays well with the black lighting family, garage doors, windows, and new chimney cap. Wood and copper accents bring in natural elements that pull out the warmth of the brick.
#10 // Traditional Home with Warm Grays and Stone
As you can see, many traditional red brick homes were originally paired with bright white siding and trim — a color palette that we prefer to tone down a few notches. On this home, we recommended Benjamin Moore’s Kendall Charcoal on the siding with Pale Oak on the trim. The entryway got a major upgrade with gorgeous new wooden double doors, a lovely surround and overhang, statement sconces, and a fresh stone-and-pavers walkway leading up.
#11 // Large Traditional Home with Modern Touches
We rendered this large traditional red brick home with an exterior design that includes modern touches: new garage doors, updated lighting, and a fresh front porch overhang. We provided an idea for new James Hardie siding surrounding the central two-story bank of windows to emphasize it, rendering it painted in Benjamin Moore’s Winterwood. Onyx on the trim provides contrast. Warm stone siding grounds the home, and we also used it to wrap the chimney for added interest.
#12 // Limewash!
We love limewash. It’s a great compromise between painting brick and leaving it natural. The red brick on the lower half of this home is rendered with a Romabio limewash custom tinted with Benjamin Moore’s Seapearl. Limewash gives you the flexibility to allow some of your brick’s natural color to show through, as above. It also works well on brick walkways! Here, we’ve paired the limewash with a full Benjamin Moore paint color palette: Seapearl once again on the siding, Simply White on the trim, Sea Haze on the shutters, and Black on the new front door.
Red Brick Houses Can Feel Both Timeless and Modern
As you can see in these examples, red brick houses don’t have to feel dated. You also don’t have to paint your red brick if you love it but want some more modern curb appeal. Basically, you can have your cake and eat it, too. It’s our job to show you how. Let us help by getting started with our paint visualizer.
Red brick can be gorgeous. It can also be tricky. That’s why it makes sense to work with an expert when you’re planning an exterior makeover for your red brick home. We’d love to partner with you on making your curb appeal dreams a reality! Get started today.
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