Brick homes never go out of style.
But the exterior brick and paint color combinations are a tough choice. The wrong shade makes a beautiful home look flat.
And the right one makes it the best-looking house on the street.
Don’t get stuck trying to figure out what works best. Red brick? Tan brick? Gray brick? Each color needs a different approach.
Let’s Learn Brick Undertones First
Every brick has a subtle undertone.
A hidden color that influences the overall look. Red brick often carries orange or purple undertones.
Tan and beige brick usually lean warm or cool, and gray brick can pull blue or green.
Ignoring undertones is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make.
If your brick has orange undertones and you paint your trim a cool gray, the two will clash, and the result will be unpleasing.
Matching your paint to the undertone, not just the main brick color, is important.
Hold a white piece of paper next to your brick in natural daylight. The color you see on the brick in contrast? That’s your undertone.
Common Exterior Brick and Paint Color Combinations
Not all brick home colors work the same way.
The shade of your brick sets the tone for everything else, from trim and doors to shutters and siding.
Getting this pairing right is what makes an exterior look sharp and well thought out.
| Brick Color | Best Paint Pairings | Tones to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Red Brick | White, black, soft gray | Bright yellow, orange |
| Tan Brick | Warm white, earthy green, cream | Cool gray, stark white |
| Brown Brick | Navy, forest green, cream | Bright red, neon tones |
| Gray Brick | Cool white, charcoal, slate blue | Warm beige, orange |
| Beige Brick | Soft taupe, olive green, warm white | Bright white, bold red |
| Orange Brick | Deep brown, off-white, sage green | Purple, cool blue |
How to Choose the Right Exterior Paint Color for Brick Homes
Picking the right paint color for a brick home feels overwhelming at first.
But it doesn’t have to be. Breaking it down into simple steps makes the whole process much easier.
Step 1: Know the Underston
Start by identifying your brick undertone.
Hold a white sheet next to your brick in natural light and look at whether your brick pulls warm orange, red, yellow, or cool blue, green, or purple.
This one step saves you from costly mistakes later.
Step 2: Check Roof Color
Next, look up at your roof. Your roof color is fixed, so your paint needs to work with it.
A brown or charcoal roof pairs well with warm whites and soft grays. A black roof is very forgiving; it works with almost any paint color.
Pull a sample of your roofing tiles to the paint store.
Step 3: Look For Colors that Might Clash
At last, step back and look at the bigger picture.
What does your street look like? What colors do neighboring homes use? You don’t need to match them, but you don’t want to clash either.
Always consider your landscaping. Green hedges and trees naturally pair well with earthy, warm tones.
Step 4: Light vs Dark Paint Choices
Light paint colors make a home feel open and welcoming.
They work especially well on smaller homes, making them look bigger. Dark paint colors add weight and character.
They suit larger homes or those with strong architectural features.
If you’re unsure, go one shade lighter than what you think you want. Paint always looks darker on a full wall than on a swatch.
Best Exterior Brick and Paint Color Combination Ideas
Some color combinations are always eye-pleasing.
They make a home look put together without trying too hard. Each paint color suits a different style, but all of them deliver a clean, confident look.
1. Red Brick + White Trim
This is a classic color and brick combination.
White color trim against red brick creates a sharp, clean contrast look that never looks out of fashion for modern houses.
It suits colonial, traditional, and farmhouse style homes perfectly.
The white brightens the overall look while letting the brick take center stage.
Use a warm white rather than a stark, cool white, as it softens the contrast just enough.
2. Brown Brick + Beige or Cream
This combination feels warm, grounded, and inviting.
Beige color or cream paint alongside brown brick creates a natural, earthy tone that blends well with green landscapes.
It works best on ranch-style and craftsman homes.
3. Gray Brick + Black or Charcoal
This creates a strong, modern look.
Gray-colored brick home paired with black or charcoal trim creates a sleek, urban feel that just feels right.
It suits contemporary and modern style homes well.
The key is keeping other elements simple, maintaining clean lines, using minimal decoration, and using bold hardware.
4. White Painted Brick + Bold Accents
Painting the brick white color gives you a fresh, blank canvas.
From there, a bold front door, navy, black, or deep red, adds personality. This works well for contemporary and modern farmhouse homes.
Keep the trim white and let the door do all the talking.
5. Mixed Tone Brick + Neutral Paint
Some brick walls have multiple tones running through them.
Brown, orange, and gray all at once. A soft neutral paint, like greige or warm gray, pulls those tones together.
Rather than fighting the mixed tones, this combination lets them shine.
Modern vs Traditional Brick Home Color Schemes
Not every home suits the same color approach.
The style of your home should guide your color combination choices just as much as the brick itself.
Traditional and modern brick home colors are different, but both look sharp when done right.
| Feature | Traditional Brick | Modern Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Colors | Reds, browns, creams, warm beige | Black, charcoal, cool gray, crisp white |
| Trim Colors | Soft white, ivory, cream | Stark white, black, dark gray |
| Door Colors | Deep red, forest green, navy | Matte black, bold navy, concrete gray |
| Best Home Styles | Colonial, craftsman, ranch, farmhouse | Contemporary, industrial, urban modern |
| Shutter Colors | Black, dark green, deep brown | No shutters or dark charcoal |
| Accent Colors | Earthy tones, warm neutrals | High contrast blacks and whites |
Already Have a Brick Exterior? Modernize It
Older brick homes have great bones.
But sometimes the exterior needs a refresh. But you don’t need a full renovation to update the look.
Small, smart changes can renovate and modernize your old exterior brick.
Step 1: Clean the Brick First
Before anything else, give the brick a thorough clean.
Years of dirt and weathering can make brick look dull and tired. A professional pressure wash can significantly restore the original color.
Never use acid based cleaners on brick as they strip the surface and cause long term damage.
Step 2: Update the Trim Color
Outdated beige or brown trim ages a home fast.
Swap it for crisp white or matte black. This one change alone can make a brick exterior look ten years newer.
Always start here before making any bigger decisions.
Step 3: Replace or Repaint the Front Door
Your front door is the first thing people notice.
A bold color, such as deep navy, matte black, or olive green, adds a modern touch without touching the brick.
Choose a door color that contrasts with both the brick and trim for maximum impact.
Step 4: Upgrade the Hardware and Fixtures
Old brass fixtures and house numbers date a home quickly.
Replacing them with matte black or brushed nickel alternatives is inexpensive but always effective.
Clean, minimal hardware ties the whole exterior together.
Step 5: Refresh the Landscaping
Structured, clean landscaping completes a modern exterior.
Swap overgrown bushes for trimmed hedges and simple plantings the complement the exterior brick color.
Less is more when going for a modern look. Keep it neat and intentional.
Final Thoughts
Getting your paint and brick exterior colors right takes a little planning, along with a little understanding of the color tones.
But it’s worth every bit of effort.
Start with your brick undertones, work around your fixed elements, and test everything in natural light before committing.
Whether you prefer warm and traditional or sharp and modern.
Choosing the right exterior brick and paint color combinations for your home is not as complicated as it seems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Should Siding be Lighter or Darker than Brick?
Lighter siding generally works better. It creates contrast without competing with the brick. That said, dark siding can work well on larger homes with strong architectural features.
2. What Color is Not Recommended for Exterior Use?
Bright yellows, neon tones, and very saturated colors are best avoided. They fade fast, clash with most brick shades, and don’t hold up well over time.
3. What Brick Colors are Trending Now?
Gray, whitewashed, and warm tan brick are very popular right now. Paired with black or white trim, these brick home colors deliver a clean, current look.
