Six clever ways to work with brick design

Brick is the humble building material that offers endless ways to get creative in and around a home. Think curved walls, one-of-a-kind benchtops, tactile flooring and fireplaces. And with its warm, earthy appeal, brick is perfect for connecting a home with nature – a design trend that many of your clients are likely to be loving right now. Here are six ideas to work with.

Connect inside and out

A brick floor brings a warm and rustic feel to a kitchen or open-plan space. Brick design can also be used to blur the lines between the interior and exterior by continuing it out to the deck or patio.

Albert Mo, founder and director of Albert Mo Architects (AMoA) says brick flooring “not only adds character and warmth to a space, it’s durable and low-maintenance, and sits beautifully alongside materials like timber and concrete.” A word of warning, though: “Genuine brick floors may have a slightly uneven surface due to the natural variations in the bricks themselves – this can be a charming detail, but may not be ideal for every client.”

The right set-out preparation and correct base for a foundation are key factors when laying brick floors, Janan Daniel, director of JMD Bricklaying says. “Bear in mind that non-slip-type bricks should be used, and they will need to have a smoother, sponged finish [than standard bricks] so they can be walked on comfortably.” “

"If you’re using the same brick flooring inside and out, you also need to think about how you treat, detail and waterproof the junction between the interior and exterior,” Albert says.

Use brick to add curves

From rounded walls to arched ceilings, curves introduce a sense of softness and calm to a home. They can also be a clever way to add subtle visual interest to a simple space.

“Brick can be self-supporting in the form of an arch and, when done properly, a vault too,” Albert says. “A vaulted ceiling is a definite conversation starter and adds a ‘wow’ factor.”

Curves are trending in architectural design, Rebecca Naughtin, director at Rebecca Naughtin Architect says. “It allows for dynamic shapes, while maintaining a robust and solid structure.”

When creating curves, precision is crucial, Janan advises. “Curved walls require some hand-eye skill. The wall needs to be built to height using levels, so it takes longer to build than a straight wall.”

Get creative with colour and shape

Brown, red and beige are no longer your only options – today, bricks come in white, vibrant crimson, black and glazed metallics. You’ll find different shapes, too – think slim, curved, combed and square styles that resemble mosaic tiles.

There are also options with joint types and mortar colours, so you can either blend in or contrast with the colour of your bricks, Lisa Breeze, principal at Lisa Breeze Architect says. “Try mixing different brick colours or shapes on a floor or wall, creating a graphic, contemporary effect by choosing a grout colour that contrasts with your bricks, or mixing up different brick patterns in the one application.

Or opt for recycled bricks, which can appeal to clients wanting to use more sustainable materials. “Recycled bricks tell a story, especially if they come from the same site, and they can be reused in creative and contemporary ways,” Albert says.

But while they may score points for charm, recycled bricks do have their downsides: “Remember, they can be harder to lay, heavy and inconsistent in size,” Janan says.

Create a one-of-a-kind piece

Does your client want to create a one-off feature for their home that won’t stretch the budget? With versatile and affordable brick, try hearths, feature walls, arches, bench seats or steps.

“A cosy brick fireplace makes a great addition to a family room. We have also built double-brick walls through the middle of the house as a feature,” Janan says.

Or turn a kitchen island into a show-stopper, suggests Albert: “A brick island benchtop makes a striking feature. Just remember, it is not a smooth surface like a piece of marble. But what it gives in return is the most wonderful, perfectly imperfect texture.”

Highlight a special feature

Frame an arched doorway, draw attention to a great view, create a sculptural, three-dimensional brick wall – getting decorative with brick can really pay off.

“I love detailing deep window reveals in living spaces and brick is a great material to use,” Lisa says. “In its simplest form, brick looks great as an interior wall material, too – it can be finished as is, painted, rendered or bagged. It’s so versatile.”

“In our projects, we maintain refined material palettes while using brickwork patterns to enhance detailing – for example, employing a header course over the tops of windows,” Rebecca says.

If precision and ease of installation are the priorities, consider brick-face tiles, which give you the look of the real thing in a slender tile. “Some actually use a slice of real brick, giving you the same warmth and texture as an actual brick,” Albert says. “Also, watch out how you treat the corners – some brick-face tile ranges have matching corner tiles so they look like full brick at the corners. Detail is important!”

Want to be up on the latest trends?

Check out our bathroom trends report for more inspiration to share with your clients.