1990s Brick House Exterior Makeover: Before & After
A red brick exterior redesign study keeps the masonry and changes the garage, windows and entrance to rebalance the exterior.
The starting problem
In the before view, red brick gives the house character, but the bright white outlines and garage door interrupt the masonry. The entry has little visual weight, so the garage becomes the first thing you notice. This is a visual design study using a matched before-and-after example, not a photograph of completed construction.
What changed, and why
The brick stays exposed. Dark bronze window accents reduce the hard white borders and bring out deeper notes in the masonry. A wood entrance door and more defined canopy establish a warmer focal point. The garage moves to a muted, darker finish so its large surface no longer competes with the front door.
Materials and palette
The palette is deliberately limited: existing red brick, bronze-dark metal, natural timber and restrained planting. Keeping the masonry avoids introducing a painted brick finish that would need to work across the entire exterior. The planting breaks up the hard edge of the front yard without hiding the wall texture.
The transferable lesson
If your brick is in good condition, first test the elements around it. Sample garage, trim and door finishes beside the actual brick and mortar, then view them from the street. Any masonry repairs, new canopy or window replacement need local technical assessment.
Explore the full image comparison and project notes.
