A contemporary brick feature wall can be built from full bricks or thin brick slips fixed to a suitable existing surface. The finished look is largely shaped by three decisions: brick tone, bond pattern and mortar colour.
Pale bricks can create a calm, open backdrop, while charcoal and reclaimed red bricks add stronger contrast and texture. The right construction method depends on whether the wall is part of a new build, an exterior masonry system or a decorative finish added during renovation.
How Do You Build a Brick Feature Wall?
A brick feature wall is built either as full masonry or as a thin brick facing attached to a suitable substrate. Full bricks are normally planned into the building structure, while brick slips are commonly used where the appearance of brick is needed without constructing another full masonry leaf.
| Method | What it involves | Added wall depth | Common application | Main consideration |
| Full brick wall | Complete masonry units laid with mortar | Highest | New walls, masonry extensions and purpose-built features | Footing, structural design and wall support |
| Masonry veneer | A non-loadbearing brick leaf tied to a framed wall | High | New exterior walls and major renovations | Cavity, ties, flashing and weatherproofing |
| Brick slips or brick tiles | Thin brick faces bonded or mechanically fixed to a prepared surface | Lowest | Interior retrofits, splashbacks and decorative panels | Substrate strength, adhesive system and corner detailing |
| Reclaimed brick facing | Full or cut reclaimed brick used as a visible finish | Product-dependent | Character walls, entries and commercial interiors | Size variation, residual mortar and batch consistency |
Full masonry should be designed and constructed as part of the building system. The National Construction Code treats masonry veneer as a wall construction method with requirements for support, wall ties, cavities, flashings and moisture drainage. It is not simply a decorative layer attached to plasterboard.
Brick slips are a different system. They need a stable substrate, compatible adhesive or fixing method, suitable joints and manufacturer-approved installation details. External installations also need a complete weatherproofing strategy.
Splendour In Stone’s current reclaimed brick collection is listed as full bricks supplied by the pallet. The supply format should therefore be confirmed before planning a thin brick-slip installation.
Brick Slips Versus Full Bricks: Which Should You Use?
Full bricks generally suit new masonry construction and projects where the brickwork is planned from the beginning. Brick slips are more practical when adding a brick appearance to an existing interior or exterior surface with limited available depth.
| Factor | Full brick | Brick slip or brick tile |
| Wall depth | Adds the full brick width plus the required cavity or wall system | Adds a relatively thin facing layer |
| Weight | Substantial and requires appropriate support | Lower, but still requires a suitable substrate |
| New build use | Well suited where masonry is included in the design | Useful for selected decorative areas |
| Renovation use | Can require major structural changes | Often more practical for existing walls |
| Interior use | Creates authentic full-depth masonry | Provides a similar visible face with less lost floor space |
| Exterior use | Requires compliant masonry construction | Requires an approved exterior cladding and fixing system |
| Corner treatment | Full brick continues naturally around returns | Usually needs purpose-made corners or carefully formed returns |
| Installation trade | Bricklayer | Tiler, cladding installer or bricklayer, depending on the system |
| Main cost drivers | Footings, structural support, labour and brick quantity | Slip manufacture, substrate preparation, adhesive and corner pieces |
| Finished appearance | Full masonry depth is visible at openings and returns | Can closely resemble full brickwork once properly jointed |
Brick slips are useful where a full brick wall would take up too much room or place excessive load on an existing structure. They can also simplify installation around joinery, doors and narrow interior passages.
Full reclaimed bricks provide genuine depth, irregular edges and natural variation. They are often preferred when returns, openings and freestanding sections will expose the wall’s construction.
Neither format should be selected on appearance alone. Confirm the substrate, moisture exposure, wall loading, edge details and required building approvals before ordering materials.
Brick Bond Patterns for Contemporary Walls
A brick bond is the arrangement of bricks and joints across the wall. The pattern can make the same brick look orderly, elongated, decorative or strongly textured.
| Bond pattern | How it reads | Suitable applications | Important detail |
| Stretcher bond | Familiar, balanced and horizontal | Large walls, facades and relaxed interiors | Vertical joints are offset between courses |
| Horizontal stack bond | Precise, gridded and contemporary | Interior features and non-loadbearing decorative panels | Continuous vertical joints require appropriate structural detailing |
| Vertical stack bond | Tall, linear and graphic | Entry panels, fireplaces and narrow wall sections | Emphasises wall height |
| Header bond | Dense and strongly patterned | Small accents and traditional references | Shows the short end of each brick |
| Flemish bond | Detailed and rhythmic | Heritage-inspired contemporary walls | Alternates headers and stretchers |
| Herringbone | Decorative and energetic | Small feature panels, splashbacks and framed sections | Requires more cutting and edge planning |
| Soldier course | Crisp vertical accent | Wall tops, openings, niches and borders | Commonly used as a detail rather than the main bond |
Stretcher Bond
Stretcher bond places the long face of each brick horizontally, with each course offset from the one below. It is visually familiar and usually allows textured or heavily varied bricks to remain the main focus.
This pattern works well across large areas because it creates movement without introducing a complex decorative grid.
Stack Bond
Stack bond aligns the vertical joints rather than staggering them. The resulting grid feels controlled and architectural, which is why it is frequently used for contemporary feature walls.
Think Brick Australia provides separate technical guidance for stack-bonded masonry because continuous joints change how forces move through the wall. Where stack bond forms part of full masonry rather than a decorative facing, its design must be resolved by the project team.
Flemish and Header Bonds
Flemish bond alternates the long and short faces of bricks. It creates more visual detail than stretcher bond and can connect a contemporary addition with an older home.
A full header bond is visually dense and usually works best across smaller walls or carefully selected architectural sections.
Herringbone
Herringbone arranges bricks at right angles to form a repeated zigzag. It suits fireplaces, kitchen walls, entries and compact panels where the pattern can be framed by a border.
Across a large wall, herringbone can become visually dominant. It also creates more perimeter cuts and generally requires more installation time than stretcher or stack bond.
How Mortar Colour Changes a Brick Wall
Mortar colour can either separate every brick visually or blend the wall into a single textured surface. It should be selected alongside the brick rather than left until installation begins.
| Mortar or joint approach | Visual effect | Often suits |
| Mortar matched to the brick | Quiet, continuous and less patterned | Minimalist and contemporary walls |
| Pale contrasting mortar | Clearly outlines every brick | Dark, red and strongly coloured bricks |
| Dark contrasting mortar | Adds definition without bright joints | Pale and neutral brick palettes |
| Flush joint | Keeps the face relatively flat | Clean interiors and monolithic wall designs |
| Raked joint | Creates deeper shadow lines | Industrial, rustic and highly textured walls |
| Ironed or tooled joint | Creates a compact, controlled line | Exterior masonry and traditional brickwork |
| Weathered joint | Directs water away while retaining visible definition | Exterior walls where technically appropriate |
Matched mortar allows the brick’s overall colour and texture to dominate. This approach works well with pale brickwork where strongly contrasting joints would make the wall feel busy.
Contrasting mortar highlights the bond pattern. A pale mortar across dark brick makes every unit visible, while dark mortar can give cream or grey brickwork more definition. That pairing is worth planning from the brick end first, since grey brickwork for a feature wall can read flat or sharply defined depending only on the joint.
Raked joints sit behind the brick face, producing deeper shadows. They can make reclaimed brick feel more rugged but may also collect more dust on an interior wall. Flush joints reduce the shadow line and can make varied brickwork feel calmer.
The Australian Government’s YourHome resource notes that clay brickwork can be combined with different mortar colours and joint finishes, including struck, ironed, pointed and raked joints, to create substantially different appearances.
Contemporary Brick Wall Styles
Contemporary brick design is not limited to smooth grey bricks. Reclaimed texture, warm clay colours, charcoal tones and restrained mortar choices can all work within a current interior or exterior.
Minimalist and Scandinavian
Minimalist brick walls rely on a limited palette and controlled detailing. Pale brick, matched mortar and a simple stack or stretcher bond allow texture to appear without introducing strong colour contrast.
Warm timber, off-white plaster, linen and matt metal can prevent a pale scheme from feeling clinical. The earthy variation found across Ashbury Brick can support this approach when the full reclaimed texture suits the room.
Mid-Century Modern
Mid-century-inspired walls often combine brick with timber ceilings, broad glazing, terrazzo, natural stone and low furniture.
Warm red and brown brick can reference the original period, while charcoal brick gives the same material language a more current edge. Midnight Ash brick is the charcoal option in that range, dark enough to read as deliberate without going flat black. Stretcher bond usually works well because its long horizontal lines complement low roof forms and wide windows.
Soft Industrial
Soft industrial interiors combine masonry with black steel, concrete, aged timber and simple lighting. The objective is not to recreate a warehouse but to use a few honest materials with visible texture.
The charcoal and black tones of Midnight Ash Brick can provide a darker backdrop behind timber furniture, shelving or warm lighting without relying on painted black walls. SIS lists the reclaimed bricks at 240 × 115 × 50 mm and 2.5 kg each.
Coastal Contemporary
A coastal brick wall works best when it avoids heavy contrast. Pale grey, cream or washed earthy brick can add texture while remaining compatible with timber, light render, natural stone and soft planting.
Mortar close to the brick colour can reduce the strength of the grid and help the wall sit quietly within an open interior or courtyard.
Contemporary Farmhouse
Contemporary farmhouse design uses traditional materials with cleaner junctions and a more limited palette. Reclaimed red or warm brown bricks can sit beside white walls, timber beams and matt metal without making the room feel themed.
Clayburn Brick introduces red and earthy tones, while the deeper profile and warmer colour of Sunset Ridge Brick can suit stronger exterior or interior statements. The product pages list Clayburn at 240 × 115 × 50 mm and Sunset Ridge at 240 × 115 × 65 mm.
Brick Trends in 2026
Contemporary brick design in 2026 is moving in several directions rather than following one dominant colour.
Current themes include:
- Warm earth, clay and brown tones
- Charcoal and near-black feature walls
- Reclaimed or visibly irregular surfaces
- Matched mortar for a quieter wall
- Stack bond and vertical layouts
- Brick used beside timber, metal and smooth render
- Smaller areas of highly patterned masonry
- Greater interest in salvaged and reusable materials
The Brick Industry Association’s 2026 design review similarly identifies dark tones, warm earth colours, texture and broader colour variation as current directions. These trends should inform the initial shortlist rather than replace decisions based on the home, lighting and surrounding materials.
Interior Brick Feature Walls
An interior brick wall can create a focal point in a living room, entry, kitchen or dining area. The design needs to account for wall depth, dust, moisture, power points, joinery and how the brick terminates at adjacent surfaces.
Living Rooms
A living-room wall should have a clear relationship with the furniture layout. Brick commonly works behind a television, low console, shelving system or fireplace because these elements give the wall a defined purpose.
Directional lighting placed near the surface can reveal the depth of reclaimed texture. Front-facing lighting produces a flatter, more even appearance.
Entryways and Hallways
Brick can add weight and material character to a narrow transitional space. A full wall may feel heavy in a small hallway, so a framed section, half-height treatment or vertical stack bond may be more appropriate.
Kitchens and Dining Areas
Brick can bring warmth to kitchens dominated by smooth cabinetry and hard benchtop surfaces. However, a porous or heavily textured wall near cooking areas may collect oil and residue.
Confirm whether the surface will be sealed and how it can be cleaned before using reclaimed brick behind a cooktop or sink.
Fireplace Surrounds
Brick can frame a fireplace visually, but the wall material must not be assumed to meet the appliance’s heat, clearance or non-combustible construction requirements.
The fireplace manufacturer, designer and qualified installer should confirm all clearances, substrates and fixing materials. When brick is being compared with natural stone, the fireplace material and design considerations can help clarify how the surrounding wall relates to the appliance and room.
Outdoor Brick Feature Walls
Outdoor brick feature walls can define courtyards, frame entrances, screen utilities and connect the house with the landscape.
Exterior brickwork requires more than an interior-style surface treatment. Water management, exposure classification, flashings, cappings, movement and connection to the building must all be addressed.
Suitable design applications may include:
- Courtyard backdrop walls
- Entry and facade panels
- Garden boundary features
- Outdoor kitchen backdrops
- Screen walls
- Raised planter faces
- Covered entertaining areas
Outdoor walls should be capped or detailed to prevent water sitting on exposed horizontal surfaces. The wall also needs appropriate clearance from soil, paving and garden beds.
Where the design requires a thinner cladding system rather than full masonry, the available natural stone walling and cladding options provide a useful comparison of colour, texture and installation depth.
Efflorescence can appear where water dissolves salts within masonry or mortar and carries them to the surface. It is often cosmetic, but repeated deposits can indicate an unresolved moisture source. Drainage and water entry should be assessed before cleaning the visible residue.
How to Pair Brick With Other Materials
Brick works best when its colour, texture and jointing have a clear relationship with the surrounding finishes.
| Pairing | Design effect | Practical approach |
| Brick and timber | Warm and layered | Repeat similar warm or cool undertones |
| Brick and black metal | Crisp and architectural | Use restraint so dark elements do not overpower the brick |
| Brick and white metal | Light and graphic | Works well with pale or red reclaimed brick |
| Brick and render | Textural contrast | Use render to frame rather than compete with the feature |
| Brick and natural stone | Layered and material-rich | Choose one dominant texture and one supporting material |
| Brick and concrete | Industrial and restrained | Add timber or planting to soften the palette |
| Brick and glass | Solid against transparent | Useful for entries, courtyards and indoor-outdoor spaces |
Timber softens dark brick and strengthens the warmth of reclaimed red or brown brick. Black steel produces a sharper outline and often suits stack bond or charcoal brickwork.
Natural stone and brick can work together when their tones relate but their textures remain distinct. Before combining several masonry materials, the feature wall materials comparison can help narrow the palette to one dominant surface.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Brick Feature Wall?
The main disadvantages of brick feature walls are their weight, thickness, installation complexity, porosity and difficulty to alter later.
- Wall depth: Full bricks take up more floor area than paint, plaster or thin cladding. Brick slips reduce the depth but still add adhesive, joints and facing material.
- Weight: Full masonry requires appropriate footing or structural support. Brick slips also need a substrate capable of carrying the installed system.
- Installation cost: Bricklaying, substrate preparation, jointing and edge detailing generally cost more than painting or applying standard plaster finishes.
- Dust and texture indoors: Deep joints and rough reclaimed faces can collect dust. Include cleaning access in the design.
- Porosity: Unsealed brick can absorb oils, cooking residue and coloured liquids. Sealing changes the appearance and vapour behaviour, so it should be tested first.
- Efflorescence: Moisture can carry salts to the surface and leave white deposits. The moisture source should be addressed rather than repeatedly cleaning the symptom.
- Batch variation: Reclaimed bricks can vary in dimensions, colour and residual mortar. Mix bricks from several pallets during installation.
- Difficult removal: A bonded brick-slip wall can be difficult to remove without damaging the substrate. Full masonry is an even more permanent construction decision.
- Limited matching stock: Reclaimed batches may not be available again. Order enough for cuts, breakage and future repairs.
How Do You Make an Existing Brick Wall Look Better?
An existing brick wall can often be improved through cleaning, repointing, lighting or a carefully selected surface treatment. Start by identifying whether the issue is dirt, damaged mortar, moisture, colour or poor coordination with the rest of the room.
Clean the Brick Carefully
Use the least aggressive method capable of removing the dirt. Test a small area before applying cleaner across the wall.
Old or reclaimed brick can be damaged by high pressure, strong acids or abrasive methods. Efflorescence should be dry-brushed first, while persistent staining may require specialist assessment.
Repoint the Mortar
Replacing deteriorated or visually unsuitable mortar can change the entire wall. A matched mortar reduces the prominence of the joints, while a contrasting mortar strengthens the pattern.
The new mortar must be compatible with the existing bricks. A mortar that is too hard can contribute to damage in softer or older masonry.
Improve the Lighting
Lighting directed across the wall rather than straight towards it will reveal more texture. This works particularly well with reclaimed bricks, raked joints and irregular faces.
Apply Limewash or a Mineral Finish
Limewash can soften strong colour variation while retaining some of the underlying texture. The result is more breathable and layered than ordinary opaque paint, although the exact product must suit the wall and exposure.
Paint Only After Considering Reversibility
Paint can create a clean, uniform wall, but removal is difficult and may damage the brick face. Painting can also change how moisture moves through the masonry.
It is a better option when the brick has little material value or is already painted than when the wall contains high-quality reclaimed units.
Add Brick Slips to a Plain Existing Wall
A suitable wall can sometimes be faced with brick slips to introduce texture without rebuilding it as full masonry. The substrate, fixing system, wall loading and edge details must be approved before installation.
Plan the Brick, Bond and Mortar Together
A successful contemporary brick wall is not defined by the brick alone. The construction method, bond, mortar colour, joint profile, lighting and surrounding materials determine how the completed wall will read.
Review the full reclaimed brick range before comparing several options in person. Physicalbrick samples can then be viewed beside flooring, timber, paint and metal selections, while ashowroom visit provides a clearer sense of scale and surface variation. Once the wall area and application are known, contact Splendour In Stone to confirm current stock, pallet quantities and product specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Do You Build a Brick Feature Wall?
A brick feature wall is built as full masonry, masonry veneer or a thin brick facing fixed to a suitable substrate. The correct method depends on wall support, available depth and whether the installation is indoors or outdoors.
2. What Are Brick Slips?
Brick slips are thin brick faces used to reproduce the visible appearance of brickwork without constructing a complete brick wall. They are bonded or fixed to a prepared substrate and finished with mortar joints.
3. Can You Put Brick on an Existing Plasterboard Wall?
Brick slips may be installed over an existing wall only when the substrate and fixing system are approved for the installed weight. Full bricks should not be placed against plasterboard as a simple decorative layer.
4. What Are the Disadvantages of a Brick Feature Wall?
Brick walls add weight, thickness and installation cost and can be difficult to remove later. Textured surfaces may also collect dust, absorb stains and show efflorescence if moisture is present.
5. What Mortar Colour Suits a Contemporary Brick Wall?
Matched mortar generally creates the calmest contemporary result because the wall reads as one textured surface. Contrasting mortar is better when the bond pattern or individual brick shape should remain prominent.
6. Can Reclaimed Bricks Be Used Indoors?
Reclaimed bricks can be used for interior feature walls when their condition, dimensions, cleanliness and installation method are suitable. Confirm whether the supplied bricks are full units or cut slips before planning the wall.
7. How Thick Is a Brick Feature Wall?
The thickness depends on whether it is full masonry, masonry veneer or a brick-slip system. Ask the designer or installer to provide the complete build-up, including cavities, substrate, adhesive and joints.
