18 Lime Washed Brick Exterior Ideas You'll Love

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A Timeless Finish for Your Home

That old brick on your house can feel dated. You want an update, but painting brick can trap moisture and cause damage over time. It often looks flat and artificial. There is a better way. A lime washed brick exterior gives your home a classic, breathable finish that won't peel or chip. It creates a soft, matte look that highlights the brick's texture. Here are 18 ideas to show you how a limewash finish can completely change your home's curb appeal.

1. The Classic Modern Farmhouse

The modern farmhouse style is popular for a reason. It feels clean, inviting, and timeless. A crisp, white limewash on the brick exterior is a key part of this look. It brightens the facade and pairs perfectly with black window frames and natural wood accents. This creates a high-contrast design that feels both fresh and classic. The limewash allows some of the brick's original color to subtly show through, adding texture and depth.

2. Rustic European Cottage Finish

This style creates an aged, old-world look. The limewash is applied unevenly, with some areas thicker than others. This technique, often called a 'German schmear' or heavy distress, allows much of the brick's natural color and texture to peek through. It’s perfect for a home with character. Climbing ivy and stone pathways complete the rustic, charming feel.

3. Sleek and Modern Limewash Application

Limewash is not just for traditional homes. On a modern house, a smooth, opaque coat of white limewash creates a monolithic, textured surface. It softens the hard lines of contemporary architecture. Paired with large glass windows, a flat roof, and minimalist landscaping, this limewash brick application looks sharp and sophisticated. It offers a warmer alternative to stark white stucco.

4. High-Contrast Tudor Revival

Tudor homes have distinctive dark timber framing. Applying limewash to the brick sections creates a stunning contrast. The soft white finish makes the dark wood beams stand out. This updates the classic Tudor look while respecting its historic roots. The result is a bold, graphic exterior that is full of character.

5. Breezy Coastal Home Look

For a coastal or beach house, a light limewash is perfect. It gives the brick a sun-bleached, weathered appearance that fits a relaxed, seaside environment. The finish is often semi-transparent, letting the warm tones of the brick show through. Pair this limewashed brick with light blue or seafoam green shutters and white trim for a complete coastal design. The look is airy and bright.

6. Mid-Century Modern Ranch Update

A limewashed brick exterior can give a classic mid-century ranch a fresh identity. The soft, matte texture of the limewash complements the low-slung, horizontal lines of the architecture. It provides a neutral backdrop that makes a colorful front door—like orange or teal—really pop. This is a great way to modernize a ranch home without losing its cool, retro character.

7. The Grand French Country Estate

French country style is all about rustic elegance. A creamy, off-white limewash applied to the brick helps achieve this look. The finish should be soft and slightly varied, not perfectly uniform. Paired with a steep slate roof, arched windows, and lavender bushes along the walkway, the limewashed brick exterior feels romantic and established. It looks like it has been there for centuries.

8. Urban Townhouse with a Limewash Finish

In a dense urban setting, a limewashed brick townhouse stands out. The light color brightens the facade, making the home feel larger and more welcoming on a narrow street. The textured finish adds visual interest that flat paint cannot. Black iron railings, a contemporary door, and modern house numbers complete the chic, urban look.

9. Subtle Warmth with Tinted Limewash

Limewash doesn't have to be stark white. It can be tinted to create subtle colors. A light beige, cream, or greige tint adds warmth to the exterior. This is a great option if you want a light look that is not pure white. It pairs well with earthy tones in roofing and trim, like dark gray or brown. It creates a soft, welcoming, and natural appearance.

10. Spanish Style with a Terracotta Roof

The combination of white limewashed brick and a red terracotta tile roof is a classic Spanish or Mediterranean look. The crisp white finish of the walls provides a beautiful contrast to the warm, earthy red of the roof tiles. Add details like arched doorways and wrought-iron accents. This style feels warm, sunny, and full of history.

11. High-Contrast with Black Accents

For a sharp, contemporary statement, pair a bright white limewashed brick exterior with bold black accents. This includes black window frames, gutters, downspouts, and a black front door. The look is graphic and clean. It works on many architectural styles, from traditional to modern. This simple color palette is confident and always looks good.

12. Mountain Lodge with Natural Materials

Limewash can soften the exterior of a mountain home. On a lodge-style house, limewashed brick pairs well with other natural materials like heavy wood beams, natural stone, and dark metal roofing. The light brick provides a counterpoint to the darker, heavier elements. It creates a balanced look that feels connected to its natural, wooded surroundings.

13. The Understated, Opaque Finish

If you prefer a cleaner, more uniform look, an opaque limewash application is a great choice. This method uses a thicker coat to cover more of the brick, resulting in less color variation. It provides the beautiful, chalky texture of limewash with a more solid appearance. This is a great alternative to flat paint for a refined, classic look.

14. Limewashed Garden and Retaining Walls

Limewash is not just for the house. Use it on brick garden walls, planters, and retaining walls to unify your landscape design. A limewashed brick wall provides a beautiful, textured backdrop for green foliage and colorful flowers. It ties the garden directly to the house, creating a cohesive and well-designed outdoor space.

15. The Welcoming Southern Veranda

On a classic Southern home, limewashed brick columns and foundation create a look of timeless grace. The soft white finish complements the deep, shady verandas common in this style. Paired with a 'haint blue' porch ceiling and a couple of rocking chairs, the limewashed brick feels welcoming and authentic. It contributes to the home's stately yet comfortable presence.

16. A Transitional Home Exterior

Transitional architecture blends traditional and modern design elements. A limewashed brick exterior is the perfect material for this style. It has a historic feel but its clean, matte finish looks modern. Imagine a home with classic gables but also large, contemporary windows. The limewash unifies these different elements into one cohesive design.

17. Restoring Historic Brickwork

For historic homes, limewash is an excellent choice for restoration. Unlike paint, it's a breathable coating that allows moisture to escape from the brick, which is crucial for the health of old masonry. It can consolidate crumbling mortar and protect aging brick while giving the building a historically accurate and refreshed appearance.

18. Combining Limewash with Siding

A home with a mixed-material exterior can look very dynamic. Consider using limewashed brick on the first floor and a contrasting siding material, like dark board and batten, on the second floor. The limewash provides a solid, textured base, while the siding adds another layer of interest. This approach breaks up a large facade and adds custom architectural detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between whitewash and limewash on brick?

The main difference is the material. Whitewash is typically a watered-down latex paint. Limewash is made from crushed limestone that has been burned and mixed with water. Limewash soaks into the brick and calcifies, creating a durable, breathable finish. Paint, even when thinned, creates a film on top of the brick that can trap moisture.

How long does a lime washed brick exterior last?

A properly applied limewash finish is very durable and can last for decades. Because it penetrates the brick, it doesn't peel or chip like paint. It will weather naturally over time, which adds to its character. You can reapply it to freshen the look, but it does not require the frequent scraping and repainting that a painted surface does.

Is lime wash better than paint for brick?

For brick, limewash is generally considered a better choice than paint. Brick needs to breathe to release moisture. Limewash is vapor-permeable, meaning it allows moisture to escape. Paint is not, and can trap water inside the brick. This can lead to spalling, which is when the face of the brick flakes off, especially in climates with freeze-thaw cycles.

Can you pressure wash a limewashed brick house?

You should avoid high-pressure washing on a limewashed surface. The intense pressure can strip the finish and damage the underlying brick and mortar. For cleaning, use a soft brush and a gentle cleaning solution, or rinse with a standard garden hose. The beauty of limewash is its patina, so aggressive cleaning is usually not needed.

Conclusion

A lime washed brick exterior is a versatile choice that works with almost any architectural style. It offers a timeless, textured finish that protects your brick while completely transforming your home's appearance. Whether you want a rustic, historic look or a clean, modern one, limewash provides a beautiful and durable solution.

Which of these looks is your favorite for a lime washed brick exterior? Let us know in the comments below!