Brick Wall Bedroom Ideas: 9 Ways to Style It

The simplest approach to a brick wall in a bedroom is to treat it as one accent wall, put the bed against it or directly opposite, and soften it with warm textiles, layered light and a few natural materials. Brick already brings plenty of texture, so the rest of the room can stay calm.

Below are the ideas I'd start with, whether your brick is original, painted white, or a faux panel. None of them need a renovation.

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Keep brick to a single accent wall

Brick on every wall can make a bedroom feel heavy and a little like a basement. One wall gives you the character without the weight, and it's easier to decorate. In a small room, a single brick wall also leaves the other three surfaces free to reflect light.

Pick the wall that has the most presence: usually the one behind the bed, or the one you see first when you walk in. Leave the others in a plain, matte paint.

Should the bed go against the brick or opposite it?

Against it is the classic choice. The brick works as a headboard wall, and you don't need a big headboard because the texture does the job. Center the bed on the wall and hang lighting on each side.

Opposite the brick also works, especially if the wall has a window or an old fireplace opening you want to see from bed. As an architect, I'd put the bed against the brick in a small room, because it frees the floor space and keeps walkways clear (aim for about 24-30 inches on each side of the bed).

One practical note: brick sheds fine dust, and unsealed brick can rub off on pillows and headboards. If you plan to lean against it, seal it first.

Paint or whitewash brick to brighten it

A white brick wall bedroom is lighter and more forgiving than dark red brick, and it suits rooms with little daylight. You have three common finishes:

• Whitewash or limewash: thinner, lets the brick pattern show through, and gives a soft, slightly uneven look.
• Full paint: a uniform, cleaner surface that is easier to wipe down, which helps if a dog likes to rub against the wall.
• Leave it raw: keep the original color if it's in good shape and you like it.

Painting is hard to undo, so test a patch in a low spot first and look at it in morning and evening light. If you want to go deeper on the white option, see our white brick wall makeover ideas.

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What color goes best with a brick wall?

It depends on the brick. Red and orange brick pairs well with cream, warm white, olive and deep green, and with navy or charcoal if you want contrast. White or gray brick is more flexible: it takes soft blues, sage, tan and black accents equally well.

Keep to two or three main colors in the room and let the brick count as one of them. Warm tones make brick feel snug. Cool tones make it feel more modern and a bit crisper. In a north-facing room I'd lean warm, since cool light and cool colors together can read flat.

Blend brick with wood, metal and soft fabrics

Brick is hard and rough, so the rest of the bedroom should be the opposite. Think of it as balancing one strong surface with several gentle ones.

• Wood furniture, such as a nightstand or a bench at the foot of the bed, warms the brick up.
• Linen or cotton bedding and a heavy throw add softness right where you touch the room.
• Matte black or brass lamps and hardware give a modern look without competing with the wall.
• A large rug under the bed, extending past the sides, keeps the floor from feeling hard too. Our guide to layering rugs helps with this.

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How to make a brick wall more attractive

Start with light. Brick looks flat under a ceiling fixture and much better when light skims across it. Wall sconces, a picture light or a small floor lamp aimed up the wall bring out the texture at night.

Then add a few focal items instead of many small ones:

• One large piece of art, leaned on a shelf or hung from a hook in the mortar line, rather than a crowded cluster.
• A big mirror to bounce light and break up the pattern, especially opposite a window.
• A trailing or tall plant for softness. If you share the room with a dog or cat, check any plant against the ASPCA's toxic plant list or ask your vet before bringing it in.

Leave some bare brick between objects. The wall is the decoration, so it needs breathing room.

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Bohemian, modern or minimal: three ways to style it

Bohemian and eclectic

Layer patterned textiles, woven baskets, and plants, and mix wood tones freely. Brick handles busy rooms well because its pattern is already strong.

Modern

Keep lines clean: a low platform bed, simple black or metal fixtures, and a limited palette of white, gray and one accent. Modern brick wall bedroom ideas usually work best with white or painted brick, so the wall reads as a quiet texture.

Warm minimal

Use few objects, natural fabrics, and a single large artwork. This approach suits small bedrooms where too many items would fight the brick.

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Renting or don't have real brick?

Faux brick wall ideas are a fair option. Thin brick veneer, peel-and-stick panels and textured wallpaper all give the look. Veneer is the most convincing but needs proper installation. Peel-and-stick suits renters, though a rough surface or a damp wall can stop it from sticking, so check your lease and test a small area first.

If you like the feel of masonry but want a different material, a stone wall in the bedroom follows many of the same styling rules.

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