Brick & Paint Colour Combinations for Your Home
By Tony Conway, Managing Director, Premier Painting Company
Quick answer: The right brick and paint colour combination works with your brick's existing undertone rather than against it. Warm red brick pairs well with grey, sage, terracotta or charcoal; brown and tan brick suit cream, taupe or forest green. A simple 60/30/10 rule, 60% brick, 30% secondary colour, 10% accent, keeps any combination balanced on brick homes. Premier Painting's Dulux Accredited colour consultants can confirm your combination before you commit, backed by a 7-year workmanship warranty.
Bricks and a colour combination always make houses look classy. But finding the perfect colour combination is challenging. There are various brick colours, from natural to dark black. Red bricks are the most popular. Depending on the brick colour used in the exterior, the selection of the colour combinations takes place.
When searching for the best colour combination, consider the colour scheme. Colour wheel and colour palette can help you decide the perfect match for your home. You can pick one primary colour from the colour combination and match it with the colour of either side of the wheel. With so many options to find your desired colour combination, we are here to help you. Let’s explore the best brick-and-paint colour combinations together.
How to match bricks and paint colours
There are some basic rules you need to know before painting the brick surface. The first thing you should do is carefully consider the brick’s shade. There are various tones, and the ideal colour schemes for your brick will rely on what hue it is “really.” Is it multicoloured and has several tones? It will be easier to understand if you have a basic knowledge of the hue.
For the home exterior with three colours, you can try the 60/30/10 rule. Where 60% replace the use of the dominant colour, 30% use secondary colour and 10% accent colour. Here, brick colour plays the dominant role.
Secondly, remember that hues seem significantly lighter in natural light. This implies that you should be more flexible when choosing your colour schemes. Don’t let hues that seem too dark deter you. The facade of your property will appear less saturated if you paint it. Lastly, before deciding, you need to see these hues in person.
Getting your brick colour combination right starts with this shade assessment, and Australian paint manufacturers use a shared reference point to make it easier. AS 2700, the Australian Standard for colour standards for general purposes, defines a consistent set of reference colours used across paint brands and specifiers. Matching your chosen palette against this standard, or against your painter's Dulux, Taubmans or Wattyl fan deck, helps confirm the colour will read the same on a sample card as it does on your Sydney home's brick wall colour combination once applied at full scale.
Choosing brick colours for your design: should you paint at all?
Before choosing brick colours for your design, it's worth asking whether painting is the right move in the first place. Painting brick is close to permanent. Once applied, removing paint to expose the original brick is a slow, costly process that risks damaging the surface underneath, so the decision is worth making carefully rather than on a whim.
If your home sits within a heritage conservation area, this decision may not be entirely yours to make. Sydney councils generally allow repainting of brick that has already been painted, but painting face brickwork that has never been painted before can require council consent, since it permanently alters a heritage item's original fabric. Check with your local council, or ask your painting contractor to confirm, before committing to a colour scheme on an unpainted brick home.
Common mistake: Assuming a heritage-listed or conservation-area home can be painted the same way as any other property. NSW Government guidance confirms that painting previously unpainted significant brick fabric is treated differently to repainting an already-painted surface, and may need approval first.
Resale value is the other factor to weigh up. A well-executed brick and paint colour combination can lift kerb appeal and help a property stand out, but an unusual or poorly maintained colour choice can do the opposite. If you're planning to sell within the next few years, lean towards combinations that suit your home's architectural style and the streetscape around it, rather than a highly personal palette.
What is the 60/30/10 rule for exterior colour?
The 60/30/10 rule is the simplest way to keep a brick and paint colour combination balanced rather than competing for attention. It breaks your exterior palette into three proportions:
- 60% dominant colour, usually your existing brick tone, since it covers the largest surface area and anchors the rest of the scheme.
- 30% secondary colour, applied to render, weatherboard, fascia or major trim, chosen to complement the brick rather than clash with it.
- 10% accent colour, reserved for the front door, window frames or another small feature, where a bolder colour choice has the most impact for the least risk.
The same ratio works for an interior brick wall colour combination too, such as a feature wall in a living area, though indoor brick rarely faces the weathering, UV exposure or council considerations that come with an exterior repaint.
Top brick and paint colour combinations
Your own taste in design and the colours you believe work best will ultimately determine the paint colour you choose for your front door, trim, windows, and other exterior features. If you're at a loss for ideas, try these exterior brick and paint colour combinations: red, orange, white, or neutral.
Red brick and paint colour combinations
If you want to design a home exterior with red brick, you can choose a colour from here:
GREY
Red brick looks especially striking when used with the versatile colour grey. This neutral hue has a variety of tones available that complement the distinct tones of your red brick. The options for grey paint appear limitless because so many different kinds are available. To highlight the red brick without overpowering its inherently warm appearance, stick to bluish-grey, earthy taupe and grey hues with warm violet undertones. Think about using a matte charcoal grey for a darker look.
BURGUNDY + TAUPE + WHITE
Brick with a hint of purple goes pretty nicely with this colour scheme. If that is your residence, you will like this colour scheme. The taupe will steal the show, but the burgundy door will still be noticeable. This colour's green undertone always looks fantastic on a home's exterior and flawlessly mixes in with the surroundings.
SAGE
Sage may be the most significant design secret of professional painting companies when it comes to the best paint colours for red brick. Whether chosen in a lighter or darker tint, Sage creates a striking contrast with the deeper tones of red bricks.
Sage-coloured paint has many uses. It can be used for siding, window trim, front doors, and more to create a striking effect. To add more depth to the appearance of your house, consider combining sage walls with white trim.
YELLOW + BROWN & WHITE
This is for the colour enthusiast who wants their house to be unique, feel friendly, and have fun. This gorgeous yellow would look amazing on the entrance door and is such a bright shade. It turns out that this palette isn't as terrifying as you would expect.
Although the yellow door is striking, the white and sage brown trim will keep your house classy and secure. The only thing that is unusual about it is the splash of colour on the entrance door.
If you adore it but aren't quite ready for a statement front door, incorporate it into your furnishings. Paint your door a sage brown colour, then add some bright yellow flowers.
BROWN
There's nothing that shouts earthy like this dynamic pair. This colour melds beautifully with red brick, bringing out the subtle hints of brown in your brickwork and converting that beauty into the ideal curb appeal. Try brown accents or even a brown roof. If you paint your window trim a lighter shade of brown or beige, it will draw attention to your windows and help define the limits of your red brick home.
GREEN + GOLD + WHITE
This one is another palette that appears overpowering at first, but is actually quite calming and peaceful. Because the gold perfectly balances the red, it's one of the greatest colour schemes for exteriors with red brick. Gold may be seen in almost every red brick facade, either in the grout or the brick itself.
TERRACOTTA
Choose warm, rustic colours that complement the tones in the brick itself to maintain a rustic, neutral aesthetic look. These earthy, rusty colours will make your natural brick surfaces seem homier. Because terracotta is a warm, vibrant colour that leans slightly towards aggression, it brightens your palette without overpowering.
CHARCOAL + BEIGE + WHITE
This palette is for you if you want hues to soften the brickwork on your house since you think it looks a little cluttered. All of them look great with red brick, but when you combine them, you have a sophisticated palette that draws the eye away from the brick and towards the entire home. Although you can't get rid of your brick, there are ingenious methods to integrate it into a more comprehensive and improved project.
Looking for help narrowing down your red brick house colour schemes? Our colour consultancy service pairs you with a qualified colour consultant and digital colour preview imaging, so you can see the combination on your own home before committing.
Brick and paint colour combinations for other brick tones
These options are for other coloured bricks to make the home exterior look top-notch:
SAGE GREEN + TAUPE
This external brick and paint colour combination goes nicely with neutral brick homes since green is a complementary colour. The green highlights the brick's colour without overpowering it when it's a subdued hue like sage.
COOL GREY + HUNTER GREEN
Try pairing cool grey and hunter green with brick with warm tones, like orange. For a palette that is subtly colourful, cool tones of grey and green might help balance the brick siding.
PLUM + CREAM OR TAUPE
Like plum, a splash of rich colour is an excellent addition to neutral brick homes. This rich colour gives depth to the front door and shutters, preventing beige or tan brick from seeming overly basic.
FOREST GREEN + BLACK
For a high-contrast colour scheme, use darker paint colours for the outside parts on white brick facades. This produces a clean, glossy effect and highlights architectural elements.
Pro tip: Brick can read warmer or cooler depending on the time of day and the colour of the mortar between the joints. Hold a large sample, at least A3 size, against the brick in both morning and afternoon light before you finalise any brick colour combination, rather than judging it from a small paint chip indoors.
Last Thoughts on Brick and Paint Colour Combinations
A brick and paint combination for home exteriors is always a game-changer. It gives an aesthetic and appealing look to your house. You can easily choose your perfect match of brick and paint hue from the listed options.
If you are still confused, you can consult with Premier Painting Company, the home of Dulux Accredited painters.
TL;DR: Brick and Paint Colour Combinations at a Glance
- Match your paint to your brick's undertone, not against it: warm reds suit grey, sage or terracotta; browns suit cream, taupe or forest green.
- Use the 60/30/10 rule, 60% brick, 30% secondary colour, 10% accent, to keep any brick wall colour combination balanced.
- Painting previously unpainted face brick is close to permanent, and may need council approval in a Sydney heritage conservation area.
- Test large swatches in both morning and afternoon light before finalising your choice.
- A well-matched combination supports kerb appeal and resale value; an unusual one can work against it.
- Next step: contact Premier Painting for a free quote, 1300 916 291 or request a free quotation.
Get a Colour-Matched Quote for Your Sydney Home
Whether you're set on a colour or still deciding, Premier Painting's residential painting services cover homes across Sydney, the Central Coast and Wollongong. Call us on 1300 916 291 or request a free quotation online to get your brick and paint colour combination confirmed before work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I paint my brick house or leave it natural?
It depends on the brick's condition and your home's style. Brick in good condition with a colour you like generally doesn't need paint, since natural brick is low-maintenance and breathable. If the brick is faded, mismatched, or you want a different look, painting can refresh the exterior, provided it's done with a breathable masonry paint and proper preparation.
Can painted brick be reversed back to bare brick?
Technically yes, but it's difficult, slow and expensive, and there's a real risk of damaging the brick face during paint removal. Most painting contractors, including Premier Painting, treat painting brick as a long-term decision rather than a temporary change, and recommend testing your chosen brick colour combination thoroughly before committing.
Do I need council approval to paint brick in a Sydney heritage conservation area?
You may. Repainting brick that's already painted generally doesn't require approval, but painting face brickwork that has never been painted before can, since it permanently changes a heritage item's original fabric. Check with your local council or ask your painting contractor to confirm before starting work on an unpainted heritage home.
What is the 60/30/10 rule for exterior colour schemes?
It's a simple ratio for balancing an exterior palette: 60% dominant colour (usually your brick), 30% secondary colour for render or trim, and 10% accent colour for a feature like the front door. The rule keeps a brick and paint colour combination cohesive rather than competing for attention.
Does painting brick affect a home's resale value?
It can, in either direction. A well-chosen, well-maintained combination that suits the home's style and streetscape generally supports kerb appeal and resale value. An unusual or poorly maintained colour choice can have the opposite effect, so it's worth choosing a combination most buyers would find appealing if resale is a consideration.
What are the best red brick house colour schemes?
Grey, sage, terracotta and charcoal are the most reliable red brick house colour schemes, since they complement red brick's warm undertone without competing with it. Burgundy, taupe and white is a popular three-colour option, and a confident yellow front door works well as a 10% accent against red brick.
Related Guides
- How to remove paint from brick
- Sticking with neutral colours for your home
- Paint colours that can help sell your house
- Exterior painting tips
- Colour consultation in painting
About Premier Painting Company: Premier Painting has delivered residential, strata, and commercial painting across Sydney, the Central Coast, and Wollongong for 28+ years. Dulux Accredited Painters, a member of Master Painters Australia, CM3-accredited, and a recognised Strata Services Specialist Company. Contact us on 1300 916 291 or visit premierpainting.com.au.
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