A brick feature wall brings warmth and texture that paint and plaster cannot match. Done with restraint, it lifts a whole room or facade. Here are some ideas that work well in Melbourne homes.
Where a brick feature wall earns its place
One well chosen wall does more than brick everywhere. Good spots include:
- A living room wall behind the TV or fireplace
- An entry or hallway that needs a bit of weight and welcome
- An outdoor alfresco or courtyard wall that ties inside to out
- A front facade detail that breaks up render or weatherboard
The trick is to let the brick be the hero and keep the rest of the room calm around it.
Choosing the look
The brick and the joint set the whole mood, so it is worth slowing down here.
- Recycled red bricks for warmth and a lived-in, character feel that suits period homes
- Pale or white bricks for a lighter, more contemporary room
- A raked or recessed joint for shadow and depth
- A flush, matched mortar when you want the wall to read as one calm mass
- A bond pattern, such as stack or herringbone, when you want the wall itself to be the detail
Always look at a sample panel in the actual room light before you lock it in. Brick shifts a lot between morning and afternoon.
Getting it right in practice
A feature wall is still real brickwork, so a few things matter behind the look.
- Plan how the wall meets floors, ceilings and windows so the courses land cleanly
- For internal walls, decide on a brick slip system or full bricks early, as they are built differently
- Seal internal brick if you want to knock back dust and make it wipeable
- Light it from the side to bring out the texture you paid for
Get the planning sorted up front and the wall will look intentional, not added on.
If you have a wall in mind, send through a photo of the space and your suburb and we will suggest a brick, a joint and a bond that suits the room.