What To Do with a Brick Guest Room Wall

A popular feature in years gone by, a brick wall can pose a design challenge when decorating a guest room. However, there are ways to use the wall to complement the room's decor, and brick can also offer a layer of texture in a room that would be missing without it. Here are several ways to incorporate a brick wall into a guest room design that look absolutely wonderful, and they are simple enough for just about any homeowner to do on their own.

The Character of Brick

By its nature, brick has a lot of character and depending on the type of brick wall, its condition and its overall appearance, a homeowner decide what options fit their needs. If it is in poor shape, one option is to paint the entire wall; while paint helps to minimize the appearance of brick, the texture is still visible and adds rustic appeal. When the brick is in good enough shape to leave exposed, look at the furnishings in the room and consider how well they blend with the wall. Even if the wall is in good condition, it can surely use a good cleaning using a brush with stiff bristles to dislodge any dirt or dust. However, to really brighten up the space, painting the brick a light color is the quickest way to freshen up the look of a room. When hanging photos or beautiful wall art, like tropical wall hangings or wine wall sculptures on a brick wall, use the proper anchors so that the items will stay securely mounted.

Accommodating a Brick Wall

To enhance the appearance of a single brick wall in a bedroom, use it as a focal wall. One way to create a focal wall is to line the bed up so that the head of the bed is against the wall of brick. Or, if the room is large, define the brick area as a reading or office area and include a small, writing desk and chair to claim the space. For a reading area, add a comfortable chair with a reading light. The area can be further defined with a standing bookshelf and a small side table. If the brick wall is unpainted, create a rustic look in the guest room. Or go for a more contemporary look by pulling colors from the brick wall throughout the room. This technique works especially well if the brick has variegated colors. If the brick is painted, coordinate the look of the room with the painted color of the brick wall. Typically lighter colors open up the look of the room and make it feel brighter and bigger.

Brick can bring a lot of texture and warmth to a room, so embrace it and use it as a central theme for the design of the room. The resulting guest room will look cohesive as well as warm and inviting.