By now you probably know we’re absolutely obsessed with how our house turned out after painting the exterior brick white last fall. It’s one of our favorite makeovers in more than a decade of homeownership. If you’ve ever considered painting brick, we wanted to share what we learned, offer practical advice, and show a few spring photos now that the white dogwoods are in bloom out front.
First: we don’t think every brick should be painted. Beautiful, historic, or character-filled brick is stunning left natural. But not all brick is charming—our house had early-80s brick with blotchy maroon and dark brown tones and a yellow-beige mortar applied a bit messily. It simply didn’t suit the house or our taste.
A single white sample swatch immediately neutralized those issues and made the façade feel historic, stately, and cohesive. That’s the important point: brick comes in many styles. If yours reads as dated or harsh and you dislike it, you’re allowed to change it. Trust your instincts—if you’re unsure, wait; but if you’re certain, painting can transform the look dramatically.
We had plenty of reservations before committing—fear of regret, choosing the wrong color, maintenance concerns, cost, and neighborhood opinions. After completing the project, none of those concerns proved to be issues for us. We love the result more than we expected and only wish we had done it sooner.
A major factor in our confidence was finding the right paint product: a breathable mineral masonry paint designed specifically for brick. Unlike latex paints that can trap moisture and later crack or peel, breathable mineral paints allow brick to expel moisture, dramatically reducing long-term problems. Key advantages we found include a long warranty, eco-friendly formulation, natural mold resistance, and a beautiful matte finish that looks classic rather than shiny. Our painter summed it up perfectly: “it’s like painting brick with brick.”
After we painted, the paint manufacturer reached out to see if we’d help curate a color collection for exterior masonry. We jumped at the chance. Choosing exterior colors for brick can be stressful, so we focused on simplifying choices and offering dependable neutrals and subtle color options that hold up outdoors.
Mineral masonry paint has limits on how dark it can go because it’s made from natural pigments. That’s intentional: darker tones outdoors tend to fade faster, and the manufacturer prioritizes durability. So our collection emphasizes classic greiges, warm khakis, sand tones, rich chocolates, and some muted greens and blues—colors that stay elegant at house scale and respond well to sunlight.
We drew inspiration from historic painted brick neighborhoods in our hometown, especially an area with long stretches of painted brick houses that show how varied, timeless, and tasteful painted masonry can be. We walked with swatches, refined selections, and then tested painted sample boards on real brick to evaluate how each color behaved in sun and shade.
From dozens of options we narrowed the palette to fifteen colors that we truly love. Each color was adjusted on painted swatches until it felt right—some lightened, some grayed down, and some removed for redundancy—so the final set offers clear, useful choices rather than dozens of nearly identical options.
We gave each color a name that felt house-ready and approachable, and picked one white—“Richmond White”—to match the exact tone we used on our house. It’s balanced, not too stark or yellow, and pairs nicely with bright white trim.
If you’re exploring painted brick, test colors on sample boards and view them at different times of day. Mineral masonry paints sometimes require a primer on previously painted or sealed surfaces, so check product guidance before starting. These paints are also suitable for interior brick, like fireplaces, and the manufacturer can supply interior formulations in the same colors.
We’ve shared color-pairing tips—how to select a color that complements your trim and roof—and a few door color ideas to coordinate with the palette. For technical questions about application, surface preparation, and ordering small test buckets, consult the paint manufacturer; they are the experts on product use and compatibility.
If you try any of these colors on your home, please send photos—we’d love to see how they look. We’re still thrilled with the transformation and happy to share what we learned to help others feel confident about painting brick when it’s the right choice for their house.
*This post contains affiliate links*