If you live in NYC, there’s a chance your apartment might come with the rustic, industrial charm of exposed brick. While many people seek out apartments with exposed brick because of the aesthetic design, you may also stumble upon an exposed brick apartment by chance.

Whether you’ve sought out your exposed brick palace or you’ve found a gem without even trying, you may be wondering how to style your place in accordance with your taste and the features of your place. While everyone has their own style, there are a few universal tips that can work with nearly any apartment.

Stunning Examples of Brick in NYC

Need some inspiration? These New York listings make historic brick look chic with beautiful design elements.

This Tribeca loft condo masterfully blends its historic origins with modern design. The combination of red brick and white walls helps maintain a minimalist feel without ditching the charm of historic masonry. The trick with this space is to keep colors balanced so they don’t overwhelm the space — the brick is a focal point!

This studio in Greenwich Village pairs an exposed brick wall with hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances. Tall ceilings and large windows keep the space bright and airy, even with masonry incorporated.

Looking at the beauty of these listings, it’s no surprise that brick is so popular with New York properties. Here are some tips for styling your exposed brick apartment, wherever you are.

Keep It Exposed

If you want to highlight your exposed brick wall, one of the best ways to do that is by making sure it’s visible. While it’s possible to keep the wall completely blank, that isn’t always the best solution for liveability — especially if you live in a small space and you might need to put things against the wall. You can try minimal furniture and even open-backed shelving to do the trick.

Go Big With Art

Sometimes, one of the best ways to draw attention to a wall is to use a focal point. Sure, a brick wall can act as its own focal point, but if you assign a large painting or poster to the wall, that can enhance the style and really draw the eye, creating balance.

Add Pops of Color...

Adding pops of color is a common design tip, even for those working with a standard space. However, especially when it comes to historical features like exposed brick or vintage hardwood, the place often feels like it has its own established color palette before you stock it up with anything at all.

That being said, adding accent notes — often in brighter hues to liven up the place — can be a great way to style an exposed brick wall according to your taste.

...Or Go Neutral

That being said, not everybody loves vibrant hues. In fact, that predetermined color palette could be a perfect jumping-off point for your home.

If you love neutral colors like tans, beiges, whites, off-whites, and even some of the neutral-adjacent colors like olive green and mauve, why not go for an entire neutral spectrum? It might leave your brick wall looking exactly at home.

Protect It!

Sure, it isn’t your brick wall if you’re renting, but it still is your brick wall for a time. And keeping it protected from cracks and damage can make sure it still looks beautiful no matter how long you stay in your current dwelling.

In addition to refraining from drawing on it or chipping it, another great thing to remember is that brick is a porous material, and moisture can harm it by causing corrosion. Make sure you practice good moisture control habits as best you can.

Plants Can Introduce a Natural Feel

One of the best aesthetic choices to come about in the past few years is that rustic blend of industrial and natural that you may have seen all over Pinterest.

While many people have their own take on this style, introducing plants into your space — preferably close to the brick wall — can utilize that same balance of natural and industrial. Plus, if you live in a city, you may be excited to bring some green around!

Do Some Reflection

If you want to open up your space a bit more with some functional decor, getting a big mirror — or even a full-body mirror — to hang on or against your brick wall can be a great stylistic choice, as well as a functional one. 

Mirrors open up any space and reflect light, while also not introducing too many new design elements or colors into your space. This helps prevent your brick walls from feeling to dark or oppressive, especially in an otherwise small space.

Resist the Urge to Paint

You’ve seen it because we’ve all seen it. The monochrome black or white painted brick wall. It can be tempting to slather on a layer of paint, especially if you want your brick wall to match your color scheme. 

However, getting paint off a brick wall can be a grueling process — and one that’s not entirely worth it if you plan on moving out or if you don’t own the space yourself. This one might be a better choice to remain on the mood boards.

Styling Exposed Brick in Your Apartment

Exposed brick can be a great feature to look for — or find naturally — in an apartment. And whether your style is bohemian, industrial, modern, or something a bit in between, you can find the best ways to style your apartment your own way.

About the Author:

Evelyn Long is a real estate writer and editor. She manages Renovated, a web magazine for renters, buyers and professionals. She’s also contributed to Rental Housing Journal, National Association of REALTORS®, and other online publications.

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