Should You Paint the Exterior Red Brick of Your House? Modern Curb Appeal Without the Regret

TL;DR

Painting red brick can be tempting for a modern facelift, but it often brings high maintenance, potential structural issues, and trends that fade fast. Instead, explore strategic updates like landscaping, fresh shutters, and intentional front door colors for exceptional curb appeal that stands the test of time.

Rethinking Painted Brick for Modern Homes

Debating whether you should paint exterior red brick house? This image shows the pros and cons of painting brick exterior and offers a visual contrast between trend-forward modern farmhouse curb appeal ideas and alternative ways to update a red brick facade like choosing fresh front door and shutter colors.

The allure of a fresh, all-white exterior is powerful—especially for homeowners eager to modernize a classic red brick house. With the surge in modern farmhouse curb appeal ideas, it’s easy to believe that painting brick is a shortcut to a trend-forward facade. Yet, beneath the striking Pinterest transformations lies a heated debate: should you paint that exterior red brick house, or are there smarter, lower-risk ways to update your home's look? Over the past decade, trends have swung between rustic, exposed brick and crisp, painted facades. For houses from the 1970s and beyond, the temptation to cover red brick with paint is stronger than ever. But as countless homeowners have learned (sometimes too late), this visual fix can create a lifetime of maintenance—often with unintended side effects to your home’s durability and long-term appeal.

• The Pros and Cons of Painting Brick Exterior

  

  Should you paint exterior red brick house? This editorial image highlights the pros and cons of painting brick exterior by showing a home split between natural brick and a modern farmhouse white paint makeover, with coordinated front door and shutter colors, illustrating alternative ways to update your brick facade while considering lasting curb appeal.

  Painting your brick exterior offers an immediate, dramatic transformation. One advantage is the ability to coordinate your facade with the latest design colors, from white for a farmhouse effect to deep blues and soft neutrals. Painted brick can also mask brick that has been patched or stained over time. However, these benefits come with considerable drawbacks. Once brick is painted, it requires ongoing touch-ups as paint flakes, peels, or weathers—an all but inevitable process for a material meant to breathe. Moisture trapped beneath paint can lead to mold, mildew, and even structural damage to your home's envelope. As discussed in our roundup on alternatives to painting brick for curb appeal, the permanence and maintenance costs typically outweigh the fleeting satisfaction of a color update.

• Why Painted Brick Isn’t Always the Modern Farmhouse Solution

  

  Should you paint exterior red brick house? Compare the pros and cons of painting brick exterior by seeing natural versus painted facades, explore modern farmhouse curb appeal ideas, and discover alternative ways to update brick with smart front door and shutter color choices.

  The modern farmhouse look—whitewashed brick, bold shutters, and dark doors—has dominated renovation wish lists for years. Yet, not every home, especially those built in the 1970s and 1980s, has the "bones" to pull off this aesthetic without looking forced. Several experts caution that painting brick can make a home appear washed out and indistinct, especially in established neighborhoods filled with classic masonry. Matching the popular style can also inadvertently erase the original texture and character unique to older homes, often resulting in a look that feels "off" or out of place.
  
  Moreover, trends change quickly. All-white exteriors and painted brick, once considered cutting-edge, are already showing signs of peaking, as explored in our look at 2025 exterior design trends. Savvy homeowners are now pivoting toward richer palettes, mixed materials, and layered landscaping—choices that age gracefully and support resale value.

• Alternative Ways to Update a Brick Facade

  

  Enhance curb appeal without painting red brick—explore alternative ways to update a brick facade like bold front door and shutter colors, adding a portico, and modern landscaping. Should you paint exterior red brick house, or consider these modern farmhouse curb appeal ideas for a lasting transformation?

  If the goal is improved curb appeal, painting is rarely the most effective or enduring solution. Instead, focus on upgrades that respect your home’s existing architecture. Strategic landscaping, new or upgraded shutters, and a bolder, well-chosen front door color can shift the overall feel of your home instantly—without the irreversible commitment. Enhancing the entryway with a portico, railings, or even pergolas are additional options that provide both depth and personality, according to our guide to fast exterior updates. These alternative ways to update a brick facade deliver big visual returns and can be previewed using design tools before any physical changes are made.

• How to Choose Front Door and Shutter Colors for Brick Homes

  

  Choosing front door and shutter colors—like sage green with charcoal on red brick—can provide modern curb appeal and a timeless alternative to painting exterior brick. Discover how to choose front door and shutter colors for brick homes to update curb appeal without regret.

  Selecting the right colors for your front door and shutters can harmonize your facade—often with more effect than a full exterior repaint. For homes with red brick, consider door and shutter shades found naturally in the brick itself (deep reds, muted greens, charcoal) or complementary neutrals like classic black, navy, or even warm wood stains. Our recommended approach: use digital previews, like those available from ReimagineHome.ai, to experiment safely with combinations of siding, trim, and door colors. This prevents costly mistakes and ensures every shade works with both brick and surrounding features.
  
  As a rule of thumb, avoid extremely high-contrast flashes unless you intend the door as a true statement piece. Subtle shifts—off-whites, olive greens, blue-greys—tend to age better, resist fads, and compliment surrounding landscaping.

• Modern Farmhouse Curb Appeal Ideas Without Painting Brick

  

  Modern farmhouse curb appeal ideas for a red brick house: Instead of painting, use landscaping, porch updates, new porticos, and well-chosen shutter and front door colors as alternative ways to update brick facades. See the pros and cons of painting exterior brick and timeless design options here.

  Achieving that signature mix of warmth, depth, and definition can be done entirely without a paint roller. Start by upgrading landscaping: layered flower beds, placement of boxwoods or hydrangeas, and new tree plantings provide an instant inviting effect. Next, update porch railings, columns, and house numbers so they suit your current architecture—leave raw timber beams for homes where it fits authentically. Shutters, if used, should be proportionate to the windows and finished in hues that complement the brick and siding. If budget allows, adding a small portico, pergola, or modern porch lighting can transform the entry without touching the brick. Previewing these improvements with exterior render tools lets homeowners make data-driven decisions that avoid costly trial and error, as shown in our guide to fast curb appeal fixes.

• Preview Before You Commit: The AI Advantage

  

  See how AI visualization helps decide: should you paint exterior red brick house or try modern farmhouse curb appeal ideas like updating front door and shutter colors. Instantly preview alternative ways to update brick facade and prevent costly regrets.

  One significant challenge of exterior changes is the risk of costly mistakes and regret. Modern AI-powered visualization tools now let homeowners upload real photos of their homes, then digitally test colors, materials, and landscaping ideas. Sites like ReimagineHome.ai allow you to see instantly how alternatives to painting brick—such as new door colors, updated shutters, or layered planting—actually look on your own facade.
  
  As recommended in our painted brick vs. curb appeal guide, this approach eliminates guesswork and can help you sidestep high-maintenance solutions that may not deliver the lasting charm you expect.

• Which Exterior Update Really Works for a 1970s Era Home?

  

  A 1970s home demonstrates alternative ways to update a brick facade—balancing warm brick, modern farmhouse curb appeal ideas, and expert tips for how to choose front door and shutter colors instead of painting the exterior red brick.

  Homes built in the 1970s often feature efficient but visually flat exteriors, with facades split between brick and siding. Rather than painting over brick, prioritize balancing proportions, freshening up architectural details, and refining your color palette. Experts suggest focusing on warm neutrals or colors that naturally tie in with the existing brick—rather than forcing a farmhouse white that may clash with mid-century lines. Make the front door and lighting true highlights, fix up porches and walkways, and devote most of the budget to strategic landscaping that softens, defines, and balances the space. For further inspiration, explore our deep dive into effective updates for 1970s modern homes.