DIY

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

Hello sweet friends! Are you enjoying winter? Hard to believe spring is almost here! Do you have plans for Spring Break? You know what they say, March comes in like a Lion, goes out like a Lamb! Before I decorate for Easter, I want to finish two things: I want to redo a mantle and create a faux brick accent wall. So join me, friends, as I show you how to create a faux brick accent wall!

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

How to Decide Which Wall to Use to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

The wall I am using is actually a niche wall, one with a cutout. In June, I finally took the plunge and created a faux brick backsplash in my kitchen. Love, love, love my backsplash! Here is a picture of the backsplash:

I love the layout of our home, but some of the walls are bare and blah. This is motivating me to create some feature walls with texture and different colors of paint. I decided it is time to make this arch area a faux brick wall!

So let’s get started creating our beautiful wall!

Step One to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

First, we need to gather the supplies. Making the bricks requires two main ingredients: masking tape and joint compound.

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

The joint compound gives the bricks awesome texture.

I pulled some things from around the house to help with the project. These items include a ruler, a pencil, a ladder, and a towel.

Step Two to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

I begin by taping off the bricks. My bricks are 2.5 inches by 7 inches, similar in size to real bricks. Instead of using the ruler to measure each individual brick, I use a piece of wood as the brick template. You can see it here:

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent WallHow to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

The brick template is resting below the tape. These pictures show the very early stages of the taping off of the bricks.

I decided it would be easier to do the taping and the applying of the joint compound in sections. Here is the first section taped off:

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

Step Three to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

For step three, you apply the joint compound. Warning ahead- this can be the messy part!

I use a spatula to apply the joint compound. Smear it all over, making certain you cover each area of brick fully.

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

Apply the joint compound over the tape. It looks super goopy, and about this time you may be second guessing this project. That is okay- know that it is normal! Keep going! I promise it will be beautiful!

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

Cover the entire surface area well! You can hardly see the tape. This is what you want!

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

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Step Four to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

Once covered, and still wet, you want to peel away the tape. This part can be super messy! Do not, I repeat, do not panic. You got this! I keep an open trash bag next to the wall as I peel the tape. This allows me to discard quickly.

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

While it is messy, I LOVE this part! You can see the bricks starting to take shape! And they look so cool. Right about now you are feeling this project is moving in the right direction.

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

Alright, the first section of making the bricks is done!

Step Five to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

Your first section is complete and you are feeling like a ROCK STAR! Whoop whoop! For step five, we are going to continue making the bricks over the rest of the wall.

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

Finally, the brick is complete! Allow the joint compound to dry overnight before applying paint. It is looking good, right?! I cannot help staring at it!

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent WallHow to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

Step Six to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

For step six, I apply two coats of white paint to the space between each brick. I do not focus on painting the bricks themselves, as those will be painted brown. I just make sure I have a nice covering of white on the spaces between the bricks.

Here are some pictures of the wall being painted white:

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent WallHow to Create a Faux Brick Wall

Step Seven to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

Once the white paint is dry, I am ready to paint the bricks! I blend the following two paints to make a caramel color:

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent WallHow to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

I use a fine brush to paint the entire space of the brick. While I decide not to tape of the brick, but I am super careful not to get any of the brown on the white space between the bricks!

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

The brick color is sharp and crisp, which some may love! I am going to soften it a bit by whitewashing it once I am through painting.

The painting of the bricks is done!

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent WallHow to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

Step Eight to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

You could easily choose to leave the brick as it is. I prefer a softer touch, however. To achieve this, I am going to whitewash the bricks.

To do this, I pour a small amount (about a half cup) of white paint in a bowl. I used the same white paint I used to paint the space in between the bricks. I add about three tablespoons of water to the bowl. Stir it into the paint well.

To create the whitewash look, I use a sock to dabble the white paint on the brick.

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

I vary the amount of coverage from brick to brick.

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent WallHow to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

This is a quick process- and it should be! You want the white to look spotty, not equal in coverage. I whitewashed the whole wall in less than 30 minutes!

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

In this picture, you can really see the difference! I am loving the whitewashed look!

How to Create a Faux Brick Accent WallHow to Create a Faux Brick Accent Wall

And here is the finished product! I absolutely cannot take my eyes off it! It is just what this room needed. A bit of dramatic flare!

And just as a reminder, here is what the wall looked like before we created a faux brick accent wall!

Arch Before