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A popular decorating solution in many interiors is a brick wall. Initially, such decoration was only in the poorest apartments, but over time, a bold decision became very popular in a variety of interiors of wealthy houses.

wall materials

The decorating technique of decorating walls with various natural materials, such as stone or wood, has been used by man for a long time. The trend to use brick for decoration originated only at the end of the 20th century, along with the loft style. During the crisis years in America, many young people could not pay for decent housing, so they rented semi-abandoned attics and factory premises. The brickwork in them was just an unfinished part of the wall, on which there was no plaster and wallpaper.

Over time, this appearance of the dwelling became associated with the freedom of thought and action characteristic of the younger generation. A brick wall or its imitation began to decorate quite comfortable houses and apartments, made not only in the loft style. Designers began to use the material with success in other types of interiors, sometimes with some refinement.

Such a wall in modern conditions can be reproduced using:

• standard facing brick;
• brick clinker tiles;
• wallpaper with the appropriate pattern;
• special plastic panels.

Facing brick wall

The simplest option for apartments and brick houses is considered to be a native non-plastered wall. The technique helps to preserve and emphasize the history of the house, to recreate the style of a semi-abandoned factory as plausibly as possible. For this you need:

1. Remove existing plaster completely or in separate areas.
2. The brick must be cleaned of dust and dirt, washed with special compounds.
3. Sand out any major imperfections.
4. Joints are usually rubbed with special compounds.
5. The decoration process is completed by treatment with a special water-based varnish. If you need a black brick wall or other unconventional shade, then the surface is covered with interior paint in several layers.

If necessary, you can use thin-walled facing bricks with low weight. It is often used for decoration:

• interior partitions and niches;
• columns;
• walls or their parts;
• racks;
• at fireplace zones.

Brick tile

A simple and acceptable imitation of a brick wall is a special tile, which can be of two types:

• clinker;
• ceramic.

Both varieties can be found at any hardware store called brick veneer. The material has a small thickness, which allows you to create a stylish design without taking precious centimeters from the space. Other features of the veneer:

1. Smooth geometry over the entire surface. Bricks look stacked as symmetrically as possible.
2. Available in a wide variety of colors and paint options.
3. Before laying, careful preparation of the walls is required. The surface must be leveled and primed.

Wallpaper imitating brick

For those who do not accept the coolness and rough appearance of a real brick in their home, designers recommend purchasing wallpaper with a “brick wall” print. The advantages of this finish:

1. Quite reliably imitate the texture of a real brick.
2. Available in various colours.
3. Some models are suitable for painting, so you can create an interior in various shades.
4. It is convenient to decorate both the entire wall and part of it. You can decorate uneven surfaces, narrow niches, bevels.
5. Caring for such a brick wall is not at all difficult. It is only necessary to periodically wipe with a dry cloth or occasionally collect dust with a vacuum cleaner.

Panels for brickwork

In addition to wallpaper, a popular material imitating a brick wall is three-dimensional panels from:

• polyvinyl chloride (PVC);
• wood fiber boards (MDF);
• hardboard;
• fiberglass;
• plaster.

Such panels are easily and quickly mounted thanks to special locking joints and the large size of each. Often they are used to mask certain wall defects or engineering communications. A dark brick wall made of special panels can be made in both home interiors of halls, bathrooms and living quarters, as well as office buildings.

Types of masonry brick walls

There are significant differences between bricklaying during construction and decorative finishing of buildings. To create strong walls, it is necessary to take into account the forces acting on each part, the thickness of the brick and other features. The most popular construction methods, which are called dressings:

1. Spoon dressing, in which the following rows of stones are displaced by half or a quarter of the length.
2. Chain link. The rows are laid perpendicular to each other in a special sequence.
3. Multi-row dressing, which differs from chain dressing in that the bond rows alternate with 3-5 spoon rows.

For facing masonry, there are decorative technologies. The most common brickwork of walls has the following varieties:

• spoon laying in half or a quarter of a brick;
• bonded masonry;
• gothic;
• Dutch;
• Silesian;
• chain;
• chaotic;
• cross;
• Flemish.

What is combined with brick in the interior?

When choosing a real brick or its imitation as an element of decor, it is important to correctly combine it with other materials. Otherwise, the surface will look too cold and uncomfortable. Designers love to combine stone with:

• natural wood;
• metal objects;
• plaster tiles;
• glass.

Any, even a gray brick wall, will look very harmonious in the interior in combination with well-chosen details:

• bright or monochrome paintings and photographs;
• texture-enhancing lighting;
• well-chosen and arranged according to the general style of furniture;
• Textiles in the form of curtains, decorative pillows and capes on sofas and armchairs will help soften some surface roughness.

Brick wall in the interior

If initially a brick wall was a distinctive feature of the loft style, then over time, designers began to fit this decor very successfully into other interiors:

1. Pop art objects in the same style look very advantageous on slightly worn stone walls.
2. Various country motifs are organically combined with aged bricks.
3. A white brick wall is typical for Scandinavian-style interiors.
4. Even cutting-edge hi-tech, with skillfully selected details, looks very stylish with brick wall decoration.

Brick wall in the living room

There are no restrictions on the use of brick finishes in a particular room. It can be successfully mounted in rooms for various purposes. A brick wall in the interior of a living room, for example, is almost always the center of the composition, highlighting modern technology and unusual decor elements. In addition to the main wall, bricks can be decorated with:

• a portal for a fireplace, which is lined with gypsum bricks;
• decorative columns, often built in Greek interiors;
• a small imitation of a brick wall can be used as a partition between the living room and the hall or kitchen.

Brick wall in the bedroom

For many young people, a loft-style brick wall decorates the bedroom. White and sand shades of decoration give the room a cozy and special atmosphere. It is important to correctly select other interior details, correctly combine them with textiles and decorative elements on the walls, so that the room does not repel with its excessive industrialism. If you are not sure about the correct use of brick imitation, you can only decorate the arch of the doorway or another small area of ​​​​the room with it.

A brick wall in the bedroom is appropriate in styles such as:

• provence;
• neogothic;
• Scandinavian motifs;
• country;
• minimalism.

Brick wall in the kitchen

The construction of a brick wall in the kitchen makes special demands on designers. The thing is that the air temperature and humidity are constantly rising here, so finishing materials must be designed for operation in such conditions. Imitation or facing bricks will often need to be washed from kitchen fats, soot and dust, so it is better to choose waterproof varieties.

There are probably more variations of using a brick wall in the interior of the kitchen than in other rooms of the house:

1. A brick can successfully highlight a kitchen apron. The area between the work surface and wall cabinets is more exposed to adverse factors than others, so it is better to make it from tiles. Wallpaper and plastic imitation will not cope with the loads.
2. Brick trim is also appropriate at the base of the kitchen island.
3. With the help of brickwork, you can effectively highlight the dining area with a massive table and chairs.

Brick wall in the hallway

One of the trends in modern apartment design is a white brick wall in the interior of the hall or hallway. Such walk-through rooms often look dark and gloomy. So that the entrance to the house does not resemble a castle dungeon, it is better to use light shades of the walls in combination with decorative pendant lamps with fluorescent lamps. Such a stylish solution will be appreciated by both guests and homeowners.

Another fashion trend in decorating hallway surfaces is an old brick wall with a slightly destroyed edge. The effect can be recreated using ceramic tiles with a special pattern. This technique can be used for zoning a hall with a kitchen or living room, if there are no familiar doors. Electric candlesticks on the walls and chandeliers-candelabra will help to complement the image.

Brick wall in the bathroom

In rooms with high humidity, such as a bathroom, it is better to use moisture-resistant bricks or tiles with the desired pattern. They can finish both all the walls and the part near the plumbing. With the advent of a new material called glass brick, the possibilities for creating visual effects have expanded. It can be placed on various types of underfloor heating, which are often equipped in such rooms.

A red brick wall made of glass matte or glossy material can be effectively decorated with additional interior lighting with a shimmering effect. When the main light is turned off, a special romantic atmosphere will reign in the room, setting you up for rest and relaxation. When using «native» brickwork at home, it must be protected from external factors with special varnishes or paints.

Brick wall in the office

The space for working in a house or office should always be set in a certain way and at the same time please its owner, because many people spend a lot of time in the office. When the traditional terracotta color detracts from the task, painting the brick wall in a more neutral white or pastel shade in several layers will be the salvation. This decision will be an excellent background for various styles and their mixing.

The decor of a brick wall in the office deserves close attention, because when accepting business partners, many people want to make a good impression, including from the interior. In order not to overload the space and not distract attention during work and negotiations, do not actively use personal photographs and other items. It is better to place your awards, certificates and diplomas, other regalia, confirming the status and professionalism, in a conspicuous place.

Brick wall in the nursery

When creating a personal space for teenagers, designers often use brick in decoration. In such nurseries, you can boldly experiment with color schemes and decor like nowhere else. Space for imagination can be left to the child himself. Then the decorative brick wall will serve as a backdrop for posting photographs, graffiti, paintings, children’s regalia and those items that are dear to the heart of a teenager at a particular moment in time.

DIY brick wall

Creating an imitation of a brick wall with your own hands is absolutely not difficult. To do this, you first need to plan the scale of use of the finish:

• on the entire wall;
• as a decorative element or accent;
• fragmented, to highlight a specific area: a fireplace, above the bed or near the TV.

Then you need to decide on the material used, so you can buy:

• wallpaper;
• ceramic tiles;
• plastic or MDF panels.

You can create bricks of the desired size, shape and color yourself using a gypsum composition. To prepare it you need:

1. Purchase a special mixture, a plastic mold and materials for dyeing.
2. Dilute plaster according to instructions.
3. Pour the finished material into molds and wait for complete drying.
4. Remove the finished blocks from the mold and lay them on the wall using ordinary tile adhesive.
5. After laying, the surface must be allowed to dry completely.
6. When the brick reaches its natural moisture level, it can be painted in the desired color and opened with decorative varnish.