Paint Your Interior Brick Wall to Add Interest to Your Decor

While natural brick on an interior wall certainly make your personal space feel homier, you may want to consider painting the wall as well. The following ideas and instruction will no doubt give you the inspiration to upgrade the looks of your living area.

Paint Your Brick Wall White

One of the decorating ideas that is currently the buzz among decorators is to paint a brick wall white. You can also paint one brick wall and leave another brick wall alone for contrast. If the wall is in the bedroom, use a natural-looking wood headboard to emphasize the painted brick.

Gray and Black are Also Colors to Consider

Also, using lighting on a brick wall adds impact to the painted look. Besides white, you may also want to paint a wall black or gray. Black is well-suited to areas that convey a more contemporary design. Either gray or white can be used in design schemes that are either traditional or contemporary.

Highlight the Texture

When painting a brick wall, you don’t want to conceal the imperfections as you might do when painting a flat-surfaced wall. The texture of the wall is what makes it interesting so don’t spoil the effect by trying to make it look too perfect.

Brighten Your Wall

If you want to pick up the appearance of a dingy brick wall, then applying a fresh coat of paint is a smart move to make. Brightening the wall with paint will create a cleaner and fresher look. Also, the rough texture of the brick provides a good adherent. Brick tends to absorb more paint than other surfaces, or about 40% more than an ordinary wall. Just make sure to allocate extra time to fill in any cracks or gaps before you commence the painting process.

Wash the Brick Before You Apply Primer and Paint

You will also need drop cloths to protect your furnishings. Before you start painting, lightly scrub the brick with a stiff nylon brush. Then vacuum away any dirt, loose mortar, or dust. Follow up by filling a bucket with warm clean water and a few drops of liquid soap. Wash away the soot and dust with the soapy mix. Wait 12 hours for the surface to dry. If the brick feels cold to the touch, it needs a bit more drying time. Make sure you affix painter’s tape to any adjacent walls that you do not wish to paint.

Apply the Primer

Apply a primer to the brick, beginning at the corners and edges. Use a 2” nylon polyester paint brush. Pour a little bit of primer into a paint tray and apply it to the remaining surface. This time, use a 1-1/4” nap roller for the job. A thicker roller will push the primer into the bigger pores and grooves. Then use a paintbrush to apply primer to the mortar joints. Wait for the primer to fully dry before you paint the wall.