Is This the New Exposed Brick Wall?
Bare brick walls have been giving our homes character for a while – but they're not the only option for a rugged finish
A wall of exposed bricks has long provided an easy way for homeowners to give their space some personality – natural bricks help to warm up a minimal space, give a loft-style edge to a room, or just add some interesting texture. But there are some new upstarts in the wall covering world that are nipping at the heels of our favourite raw surface.
Take a look at this beautiful kitchen – the bare brick wall gives the space texture, warmth, industrial cool, character and rawness. But could one of these alternatives offer the same?
For texture try… 3D cladding
There are so many stunning 3D wall panels available nowadays that it’s easy to create a textured finish without resorting to brickwork. The wall panel here was designed to resemble the concrete block wall outside (not seen) and gives the sleek, glossy kitchen a boost of texture.
Look out for other designs, such as panels that look like waves, or ones that create a geometric pattern.
There are so many stunning 3D wall panels available nowadays that it’s easy to create a textured finish without resorting to brickwork. The wall panel here was designed to resemble the concrete block wall outside (not seen) and gives the sleek, glossy kitchen a boost of texture.
Look out for other designs, such as panels that look like waves, or ones that create a geometric pattern.
For industrial cool try… concrete
A bold alternative to exposed brick is concrete. A wall of this grey material instantly gives a cool, industrial vibe to a space. This bathroom, for example, is already stylishly contemporary, but the concrete wall behind the basin adds an extra element of texture and interest.
The wall here is covered with concrete plaster, which can come in a number of different finishes, including distressed, honed or polished. If your space is constructed from concrete breeze blocks, you could simply leave a wall exposed, but make sure the porous surface is cleaned, sanded and sealed.
A bold alternative to exposed brick is concrete. A wall of this grey material instantly gives a cool, industrial vibe to a space. This bathroom, for example, is already stylishly contemporary, but the concrete wall behind the basin adds an extra element of texture and interest.
The wall here is covered with concrete plaster, which can come in a number of different finishes, including distressed, honed or polished. If your space is constructed from concrete breeze blocks, you could simply leave a wall exposed, but make sure the porous surface is cleaned, sanded and sealed.
As an alternative to natural concrete or plaster, try concrete-effect tiles, like these…
…or go for a concrete-effect wallpaper.
Get more wall ideas with these cool and creative wall hangings
Get more wall ideas with these cool and creative wall hangings
For warmth try… wood
For a warm, natural look, try cladding your walls with timber panels. You can go for a dark, cosy finish, or opt for a bleached look, as here. For an on-trend option, choose Douglas fir like these ones, which give the kitchen a soft, Scandinavian feel. Or consider birch plywood, which has a wonderfully light and pared-back appearance.
To fit cladding like this, you can purchase wooden boards from your local DIY store, stain them and fit them to wooden battens that you attach to the wall. Alternatively, buy pre-made panels that you can quickly stick up.
For a warm, natural look, try cladding your walls with timber panels. You can go for a dark, cosy finish, or opt for a bleached look, as here. For an on-trend option, choose Douglas fir like these ones, which give the kitchen a soft, Scandinavian feel. Or consider birch plywood, which has a wonderfully light and pared-back appearance.
To fit cladding like this, you can purchase wooden boards from your local DIY store, stain them and fit them to wooden battens that you attach to the wall. Alternatively, buy pre-made panels that you can quickly stick up.
We’re all still loving the idea of merging exterior and interior spaces, and this design takes it one step further. The owners have used timber battens to carry the outside fence into the dining room.
It’s reminiscent of another idea where an exposed brick wall inside replicates the garden wall, but this time the material is softer and more tactile.
Here’s why you should clad your extension with timber
It’s reminiscent of another idea where an exposed brick wall inside replicates the garden wall, but this time the material is softer and more tactile.
Here’s why you should clad your extension with timber
For character try… metal
With the increasing popularity of upcycling, many creative designers are repurposing shipping containers to turn them into homes. Steal the look by using corrugated metal on your own walls.
The bath and shower area in this quirky washspace is clad with this practical material, which provides a waterproof alternative to tiles. A wall of corrugated tin will give the same industrial feel as exposed brickwork, but has the added bonus of being relatively cheap and pretty easy to install – take a look online for video tutorials.
See an inspiring range of shipping container houses
With the increasing popularity of upcycling, many creative designers are repurposing shipping containers to turn them into homes. Steal the look by using corrugated metal on your own walls.
The bath and shower area in this quirky washspace is clad with this practical material, which provides a waterproof alternative to tiles. A wall of corrugated tin will give the same industrial feel as exposed brickwork, but has the added bonus of being relatively cheap and pretty easy to install – take a look online for video tutorials.
See an inspiring range of shipping container houses
For a stylish designer look, go for a distressed metal effect that replicates the rusted exterior walls made from weathered Corten steel cladding.
The wall here is actually covered with metal-effect tiles – a smooth and clean way to bring the rusted steel look into your home.
The wall here is actually covered with metal-effect tiles – a smooth and clean way to bring the rusted steel look into your home.
For rawness try… bare plaster
Now, here’s a good excuse not to decorate. Strip away your wallpaper, then sit back and enjoy the bare plaster. The textured surface can give a space an old-world feel that’s both timeless and unique.
The key to getting this right is to choose your furniture and accessories wisely. Here, the pink textiles and lamp complement the pink tones in the wall, while the dark furniture and painting give the space a vintage feel.
If you’re going to be bold and keep your bare plaster on show, make sure you coat it with a sealant to avoid the dust particles irritating your skin.
What are your thoughts on exposed brickwork? Are you keen on the look, or would you prefer one of these alternatives? Let us know your opinions in the Comments section.
Now, here’s a good excuse not to decorate. Strip away your wallpaper, then sit back and enjoy the bare plaster. The textured surface can give a space an old-world feel that’s both timeless and unique.
The key to getting this right is to choose your furniture and accessories wisely. Here, the pink textiles and lamp complement the pink tones in the wall, while the dark furniture and painting give the space a vintage feel.
If you’re going to be bold and keep your bare plaster on show, make sure you coat it with a sealant to avoid the dust particles irritating your skin.
What are your thoughts on exposed brickwork? Are you keen on the look, or would you prefer one of these alternatives? Let us know your opinions in the Comments section.
