Decorating A Room With Records On The Walls

Exposed brick walls have become trendy. Here are tips to make yours a feature of the room, as well as how to drill into them to hang photos and other decor before painting a brick wall.

Decorate brick wall
Image Source

Whether they're old or new, naturally red or painted blue, exposed brick walls never seem to go out of style. But that doesn't mean the walls don't need a little embellishing every once in a while. Here are five easy ways to add complementary accents to your room's most stunning feature.

Bookshelf brick wall
Image Source

1. Use open-backed shelving in front of it.

Just because the wall is gorgeous by itself doesn't mean you can't take advantage of its available square footage. Rather than cover up the brick with a bulky bookcase, though, keep it exposed with one that doesn't have a back. For an even more complementary look to the brick, choose an industrial style with natural wood shelves and a thin metal frame.

Mirrored brick walls
Image Source

2. Lean large accents against it.

For a "grounded" look, consider leaning oversized mirrors or picture frames against the wall instead of hanging them. Want added depth and usability? Place small cabinets or tables in front of the large pieces.

Colored brick wall
Image Source

3. Add pops of color to it.

Bright, bold colorful artwork and furniture pieces make a brick wall stand out that much more. The best part? Only one statement piece is all you need to draw that extra attention.

AHS^® Insight: How do I drill into brick? Drilling into brick doesn't have to be left to the professionals. However, thereis a correct way to do it. And it all depends on the condition of the brick you're working with as well as the weight of the object you're wanting to hang. Follow these detailed brick drilling instructions, and you'll be well on your decorating way.Bonus Tip: If drilling isn't your forte (or you don't want to risk damaging your beautiful brick wall), consider using brick clips instead.

Nature on brick wall
Image Source

4. Add wood accents and greenery around it.

To emphasize the natural element of the brick, surround it with even more of nature. Incorporate wood accents like picture frames, shelves, ladders, headboards and side tables (Hint: Darker wood looks amazing against brick!). And to top it off, surround the wall with plenty of greenery.

Black brick wall
Image Source

5. Paint it.

Do you feel like you need to add just a little more oomph to the wall? That it's time to update the look completely? That's where painting brick comes into play. Not only will it give an entirely different look to the wall; it will also give the room an entirely different feel. You can add an older, distressed look with a sporadic mix of colors or stencils (think "old warehouse" brick). Or, for a more uniformed statement, you can whitewash the entire wall or paint it an out-of-the-ordinary color. Don't take the decision to paint lightly, though. There's some prep work involved before you get started, and once paint is added to brick, it's difficult to remove.

For more attention-grabbing decorative ideas, check out the Décor section of Home Matters.

NO TWO HOMES ARE THE SAME. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE OPTIONS. FIND A PLAN THAT FITS.