Thinking about adding some brick wallpaper to your place? You’re not alone. This stuff exploded in popularity a few years back because it turned boring walls into something with that old-school, industrial vibe—without the price or the mess of real brick. But now, with trends moving fast, it’s easy to wonder if brick wallpaper is stuck in the past or if it’s still got a spot in today’s homes.
The big question right now: does brick wallpaper work with what’s cool in 2025, or is it starting to look a bit tired? The answer honestly depends on how you use it and which style you pick. There are new patterns and colors popping up all the time, and plenty of designers are still making it work—but the classic red brick print is definitely not the only choice anymore. If you want a modern twist, think about whitewashed, gray, or even matte black brick designs.
Most people want quick results, not a construction zone in the living room. Brick wallpaper delivers on that front. A single accent wall can totally change the feel of a bedroom, home office, or even a tiny hallway. But if you go too heavy or pick a cheesy print, it can cross into the fake-looking zone fast.
Back in the early 2010s, open-concept living and industrial loft styles were taking over design shows and home upgrade blogs. Everyone wanted that New York warehouse vibe—exposed pipes, concrete floors, and, of course, brick walls. But unless you actually lived in a converted factory, getting real brick inside your house wasn’t practical or cheap.
That’s where brick wallpaper came in. It offered a shortcut for homeowners and renters to get the look without the work. You could slap up a roll in your living room or office and suddenly feel like your home had history and character. This hack took off, especially since most brick wallpaper only needs a few tools, some patience, and one afternoon to transform a tired wall.
Another huge reason for its boom: brick wallpaper is budget-friendly compared to actual brick, paneling, or major renovations. A real brick wall could set you back several thousand dollars, not to mention dust and chaos for days. Meanwhile, a decent roll of realistic brick wallpaper costs around $30–$50 per roll at places like Home Depot or IKEA.
Here’s a quick look at why people started buying brick wallpaper in the first place:
Let’s look at the cost difference in a simple snapshot:
| Option | Avg. Cost per Wall | Time to Install |
|---|---|---|
| Brick Wallpaper | $60 | 2-4 hours |
| Real Brick Veneer | $1,200+ | Several days |
This combo of easy, fast, and affordable made brick wallpaper a hit. And honestly, who doesn’t want the look of exposed brick without the hassle?
It would be easy to think that brick wallpaper is played out, but the truth isn’t that simple. In 2025, designers point to a shift in how people use it rather than a total drop-off. Red brick prints aren’t dominating Pinterest the way they were five years ago, but new takes—like soft gray, whitewashed, and textured matte options—are getting attention.
What’s changed? People don’t want their whole living room looking like a pizza place. Instead, the trend is all about subtlety and smart placement. A survey by Homepolish from late 2024 found that 38% of designers still recommended brick wallpaper as an accent, especially in modern or industrial-style homes. Meanwhile, the hashtag #brickwallpaper hit over 320,000 posts on Instagram this year—which shows, at the very least, it hasn’t dropped off the radar.
Bigger wallpaper brands have also updated their collections. For example, Brewster Home Fashions noted their white and pale gray faux brick wallpapers outsold red brick 2-to-1 in 2024. This signals that the "classic NYC loft" look is cooling off, but softer and more subtle brick styles are on the rise.
| Year | Instagram Posts (#brickwallpaper) | Most Popular Color |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 270,000 | Red |
| 2023 | 295,000 | Gray |
| 2024 | 320,000 | White/Gray |
If you want to keep your space feeling in tune with 2025, skip the super-bold red prints and lean into softer colors or pair brick wallpaper with simple furniture. It’s less about faking a whole brick house and more about using texture to add interest to one wall or space. That’s how you keep it relevant—and not stuck in last decade’s catalog.
Brick wallpaper isn’t just for lofts and bachelor pads. People are getting creative about where to put it, and honestly, some spots just work way better than others. The trick is picking rooms or walls where brick can add something bold without taking over the whole vibe.
Kitchens love brick wallpaper. A brick backdrop behind open shelves or around a breakfast nook instantly gives the space a cozy touch, almost like you walked into a Brooklyn café. Same goes for dining rooms—an accent wall can bring warmth without the dust and crumbling mess of real brick. According to a 2024 interior design report from Houzz, nearly 18% of kitchen remodels last year included a brick-effect wall, either with wallpaper or panels.
Living rooms are another smart spot, but placement matters. People typically go for a single accent wall behind a couch or TV. It frames the space and brings out your other furniture. In bedrooms, a brick wallpaper headboard wall sets a cool, urban mood without making the room feel heavy.
Here’s a quick look at where people use brick wallpaper the most, based on survey data from the Wallpaper Association in late 2023:
| Room | % of Wallpaper Users |
|---|---|
| Living Room | 42% |
| Kitchen | 27% |
| Bedroom | 18% |
| Entryway | 8% |
| Home Office | 5% |
The bottom line: Don’t try to wrap every wall in fake brick—less is more. Use it where you want the texture and look of brick to make a statement, but let other walls stay simple so things don’t turn cheesy.
If you’re set on brick wallpaper, the trick is getting it to feel fresh—not like a throwback to an old pizza joint. It comes down to modern styles, smart placement, and mixing things up with the rest of your decor. Here’s how you can nail the look this year without it screaming 2015.
Don’t just take my word for it—big names in design are still using brick wallpaper, but you’ll notice they go for understated looks and strategic spots. According to data from Houzz’s 2024 interior trend report, about 18% of renovation projects that add faux brick stick to single walls in spaces like home offices and mudrooms. Check out this quick snapshot of what’s trending:
| Brick Wallpaper Style | % Used in Remodels (2024) |
|---|---|
| Whitewashed/Light Gray | 52% |
| Classic Red Brick | 21% |
| Charcoal/Dark Shades | 17% |
| Other (Blue, Patterned, Mixed) | 10% |
Here’s a last tip: Before you cover a wall, try peel-and-stick samples. These give you a no-commitment way to see if the pattern actually fits your space. Plus, they’ll save you a headache if you change your mind next season. When in doubt, remember: less is more, and the right brick wallpaper can still bring attitude to a room when you use it like a pro.
Write a comment