Choosing Color & Paint for Interior Brick
Imperial Painting
Discover the best colors and paints for interior brick surfaces. Learn expert tips for real brick, concrete, and veneer to transform your space beautifully.
Discover the best colors and paints for interior brick surfaces. Learn expert tips for real brick, concrete, and veneer to transform your space beautifully.
Painting interior brick can be both exciting and challenging. Brick surfaces, whether actual, concrete, or veneer, have a unique texture and characteristics that can affect how paint adheres and appears. The colors you choose can make or break your space—in this blog, we’ll explore the best types of paint and color pairings for real brick, concrete brick, and brick veneer.
It’s typically best to use latex or acrylic-latex paint for brick and concrete surfaces because they’re breathable and allow the brick to release moisture. Look for a product designed specifically for masonry applications. If your brick is older, look for a quality primer to prep the surfaces before painting.
As with any painting project, the colors you choose should complement your room’s style and work with the brick’s natural color.
Colors That Blend: Red and orange hues generally work well to highlight the brick’s natural features without standing out too much.
Colors That Contrast: White and other softer colors can add contrast to the space.
Of course, you can paint brick any color you like. Just make your choice carefully because once the brick is painted, it’s not easily reversed.
Concrete brick surfaces need similar paint to real brick. Latex or acrylic-latex formulas are best for concrete surfaces for the same reason (they allow the concrete to breathe and won’t trap moisture).
Again, you want to choose a color of paint that complements your existing décor and matches your individual style and design goals. There are no rules to follow, and since concrete bricks tend to have a more neutral color palette, you have more flexibility than with real brick. Here are a few ideas to consider:
As with real brick and concrete, an elastomeric or acrylic-latex paint will offer higher durability and longevity on brick veneer. You can choose a flat paint for a more subtle look or a satin or semi-gloss paint for more color pop. Again, work with a primer and paint designed for concrete and brick applications, as these products will allow the material to breathe.
The key to painting brick veneer is choosing colors that suit the veneer’s natural look and your room’s overall décor:
Painting brick can be tricky. Because brick is porous, proper surface preparation is required to ensure proper adhesion and a longer-lasting finish. Depending on the condition of the brick, minor repairs may also be needed before painting. Additionally, choosing the right color can be difficult, and factors like natural lighting, room size, and the overall style of the space need to be evaluated.
Simply put—a lot can go wrong, whether it’s choosing the wrong color (and we’ve already established that that’s hard to fix), not allowing the surface to fully dry before painting, using the wrong type of paint, or inadequate surface preparation. Why risk wasting time, spending extra money, and feeling a lot of frustration when you could ask a professional for help?
Imperial Painting has over three decades of experience transforming homes throughout Shelby Township, MI, and surrounding areas. Whether you want to refresh a single room or completely redesign your space, we’re here to help you bring your vision to life. You can visit our website to learn more about our interior painting services, or contact us today for a free project consultation.
Macomb: (586) 412-9040
Oakland: (248) 275-5657