White Brick House: 19 Ideas, Paints and What to Know

A white brick house has a crisp, timeless appeal. It can look like a whitewashed European farmhouse, a smart Georgian townhouse or a clean modern home, depending on the windows, trim and details you choose. But turning red brick white is a big decision, and there's more than one way to do it, from paint and limewash to a mortar wash.

In this guide I'll explain the different ways to get a white brick house, whether you should paint brick at all, the best white paints, the trim, door and roof colours that suit white brick, 19 white brick house ideas, and the mistakes to avoid.

Ways to Get a White Brick House

Should You Paint Brick White?

Brick is naturally durable. As the US General Services Administration's guidance on painting brick masonry puts it, "Brick, properly fired, is a durable surface which does not need a sacrificial coating such as paint, to protect it." It also warns against using vapour-impermeable paint on surfaces that might hold damp from the ground or through the walls.

So before you paint, think about:

• Moisture. Brick walls need to let moisture escape. A non-breathable paint can trap damp, leading to peeling paint, damaged brick faces and, inside, damp patches. Breathable options such as limewash, mineral silicate paint and good vapour-permeable masonry paints are much safer, especially on older, solid walls.
• Permanence. Paint is very hard to remove from brick, so painting is effectively a one-way decision.
• Maintenance. Painted brick needs repainting every several years; unpainted brick needs almost nothing.
• Planning and heritage rules. In conservation areas and on listed or historic buildings, painting brick may need permission. Check with your local authority first.
• Condition. Repair cracks, repoint loose mortar and fix any damp problems before painting. If damp is an issue, it's worth understanding the difference between masonry waterproofers, such as Behr Dry Plus vs Drylok.

A designer's tip: if you're unsure, try limewash. It gives a soft, characterful white, it's breathable, and because it wears away gradually, it's the most forgiving choice.

Best White Paints for Brick

Remember that these colours need to be made up in a suitable masonry paint, and whites look much brighter outdoors than on a chip. A soft, slightly warm white usually looks better on brick than a stark, bright white. Two of the closest contests are Greek Villa vs Alabaster and Simply White vs White Dove, so test the pair you're torn between on the brick itself.

Trim, Door and Roof Colors for a White Brick House

Black windows on white brick are especially striking, and the same principles apply as on a white house with black trim.

19 White Brick House Ideas

Modern and farmhouse

1. White brick modern farmhouse. Painted white brick with black windows, a black metal roof and a wooden door is the look that made white brick so popular.

2. Flat-roofed modern white brick. Large black windows and a flat roof turn white brick into a clean, contemporary statement.

3. White brick and cedar. Warm cedar cladding, soffits or a porch alongside white brick stops the look feeling cold.

4. White brick at dusk. Warm interior light, black lanterns and uplighting make a white brick house glow at night.

Limewash and rustic finishes

5. Limewashed brick cottage. Limewash gives a soft, chalky, mottled white with hints of the brick showing through, full of character.

6. German smear ranch house. A mortar wash over brick gives a rustic, textured, European farmhouse look that suits single-storey homes.

7. Limewash in progress. Limewash is applied to damp brick in thin coats, and it dries much lighter than it looks when wet, so test a small patch first.

8. Whitewash with brick showing. A thinned, translucent white lets the warmth of the brick come through, for a soft, relaxed effect.

Traditional and classic

9. White brick Georgian. A symmetrical facade, white brick, sash windows and a glossy black door is elegant and timeless.

10. White brick with green shutters. Deep green shutters and climbing wisteria give painted brick a romantic, European feel. For more ideas in this colour, explore green house colors.

11. White brick cottage with a blue door. A soft blue door, roses and a picket fence give a white brick cottage storybook charm.

12. White brick with a natural wood door. A wooden front door and black lanterns are a warm, simple combination that suits almost every style.

13. White brick with black shutters. Classic black shutters give a white brick colonial a crisp, traditional outline.

Details and finishing touches

14. Black windows and gutters. Matching black windows, gutters and downpipes give white brick a clean, graphic outline. There are more ways to use them on a house with black windows.

15. Gray trim for a softer look. If black feels too harsh, charcoal or soft gray trim is gentler, much like a white house with gray trim.

16. A colourful front door. White brick is a perfect backdrop for a red, yellow, teal or green door.

17. Climbing plants. Wisteria, climbing roses and ivy soften white brick beautifully, but keep vigorous climbers away from gutters and check your mortar is sound.

18. Natural stone paths and steps. Stone and gravel complement white brick far better than bright, new concrete.

19. Simple, green planting. Boxwood, lavender, grasses and white hydrangeas look fresh and timeless against white walls.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it a good idea to paint brick white?

It can be, but it's a big, largely permanent decision. Brick in good condition doesn't need paint for protection, so make sure you choose a breathable finish and check any local planning rules first.

What's the difference between limewash and painted brick?

Limewash is a breathable, mineral finish that soaks into the brick and gives a soft, chalky, slightly mottled look. Paint forms a coating on the surface and gives a solid, even colour.

How long does painted brick last?

It depends on the paint, the preparation and the climate, but painted brick needs repainting every several years. Limewash needs refreshing more often, but it wears away gracefully.

Can you remove paint from brick?

It's possible, but it's difficult, slow and expensive, and it can damage the brick face if done badly. Treat painting brick as permanent.

What color windows go with white brick?

Black is the most popular modern choice. White, dark bronze and natural wood also look beautiful.

What is German smear?

German smear is a technique where mortar is spread over brick and partly wiped away, leaving a rustic, textured white finish with some brick showing through.

What color roof goes best with a white brick house?

Charcoal, black, slate gray and black metal roofs suit white brick best, giving the house a strong, grounded outline.

Crisp, Characterful and Timeless

A white brick house can be modern, rustic or elegantly traditional. Choose the right finish for your brick, a soft white that suits your light, and simple, consistent details, and it will look beautiful for years.

And if you'd like help choosing colours and finishes for your home, inside or out, you can book a one-hour online interior design consultation with me.