Talk to me about exposed brick walls inside

[WishIWasACavewoman]

Having an extension to open across the back of a 30s semi, creating a room which will have the kitchen, dining table, and a sofa/coffee table area overlooking the garden. Big picture windows and lantern skylight so it shouldn't be too dark. I like the idea of having one or both side walls with exposed bricks. In my head this will be fabulous industrial chic. But will it actually be dark and grotty? Has anyone got this? Do you love it or regret it? Help me decide!

We have exposed brick, but I live in a mill, so a very old industrial building. It does make the room darker, but some other walls are plastered and painted white for balance. It looks right for our house as it is original, not sure if it would work in a 1930s house though.

Dark, grotty, dated and v v dusty.

Dust magnet, impossible to clean
Was all the rage in the 1970s so dated imho

We have a wall like this in our bedroom, I love the way it looks.

Go for brick slips! They give the authenticity but non of the gloom or dust. We had a wall tiled with them in our renovation and no-one believes it’s not the original wall.

I had a fireplace wall exposed brick, it looked great. It was a Georgian cottage so old bricks. I had a wood burner and the bricks acted as a huge storage heater. You don’t get that effect with plaster.
it was lovedvor loathed though

Not very nice.

We have exposed brickwork and stone in a very old cottage and love how it looks.

Dust schmust.

We have exposed brick walls and I love them. They bring so much character to the building and I find them beautiful.

If I don't see dust it doesn't bother me.

Sounds like it could be great. I have an exposed brick chimney breast in our 1930s semi and I love it. I think it works best in smaller doses if the rest of the decor is quite minimalist/clean.

We also have a lot of exposed brick but it’s a Tudor house so it fits with the character. I love them and same as a PP, we have other white (lime) plastered walls which tone it down a bit. The bricks are various shades of terracotta, pink, brown, cream etc which is much softer than uniform modern brick.

I would definitely agree they are a nightmare to clean if your house is dusty though! You need mega suction…

I’ve recently moved into a house that had an exposed brick fireplace and an exposed brick pillar (dividing up an open plan area) I had the pillar plastered over and have painted the fireplace with brick paint. I just couldn’t live with the exposed brick, it shed brick dust and just looked so cold and dated. I’m much happier with the result of covering it all.

If you want to keep the exposed brick, seal it with a matt finish to prevent the dust.

We also live in a mill (400 years old but not listed) and had a huge exposed brick chimney breast in a former reception room that is now part of our kitchen. For four years I lived with the bricks which I absolutely hated - but DH quite liked as he's not averse to the industrial look! - then earlier this year I put my foot down and got it plastered 🙄 😁

I prefer the clean lines of the plastered wall - actually we battened it and affixed plasterboard so it could be reversed if desired by a future owner - it looks so much brighter and less grimy (although a previous owner had sealed it so dust wasn't really an issue).

Where is everyone's dust coming from, I have some exposed brick, there is no dust, they are light, the rooms have big windows so it's not dark at all.

I used brick slips on my extension. It added so much warmth and character! No dust and it's definitely not dark. London brick which is mellow yellows.

I used to live in a converted Victorian school and, like others mentioned, it was the dust that put me off the exposed brick. The texture of the brick made it a real magnet for the dust. Though it had double height ceilings that were almost impossible to reach all of with a Hoover extension, maybe normal room size height would be easier to clean.

Spiders love them, the rough surface gives plenty of grip for all their little feet.

I have a wall of old exposed bricks. It is dark-ish, but no more so than if I were to choose a darker paint colour.
I love them and everyone comments they like them. Ours are coated in some kind of invisible sealant which stops them being particularly dusty, a light flick with a feather duster (rarely) gets rid of any dust that might be on them.

This is fantastic intel.

Sounds like they're an easier fit in an older property (very jealous of the mill-dwellers!), and a bit marmite, but brick slips and sealant are the way to go if I want to give it a try. I love the sound of the blended colours.

I.normally a very clean lines and unfussy decor person, so a bit surprised to be drawn to brick, but feels like an itch to scratch

I have one and I adore it. It’s sealed so there’s no dust.

I’m going to get brick slips in my new build. Go for it!

I've got exposed brick and I love it, but I also live in a loft so the bricks are from 1901. Not sure that I'd do it in a new build, but if you like it, you should go for it!

I have exposed brick and stone in two rooms and it's a gorgeous feature but my house is very old which adds to the charm,

Ooh, thanks for the photos peachgreen, your room looks fantastic! I love the colours. That's the vibe I'd like