18 Beautiful Mid Century Modern Brick House Exteriors That Feel Warm And Inviting

I’ve noticed that mid-century modern brick houses can sometimes come across as too severe from the street, especially when the facade lacks those subtle layers that soften the look. What pulls people in right away tends to be the entryway details or how wood trim contrasts with the brick to build real curb appeal. Brick works best when it feels lived-in. These homes nail that balance through smart rooflines and material choices that make the whole exterior read as warm without losing the style’s clean edges. I’d bookmark a few of these facades myself for ideas on testing similar updates that hold up over time.

Wooden Doors Add Warmth to Brick Facades

Side view of a single-story brick house with a brick chimney, wooden double entry doors, concrete steps, grass-filled concrete planters, pebble ground cover, and a large tree nearby.

Brick exteriors have that solid, timeless look. But they can come off a bit plain sometimes. Wooden doors at the entry fix that right away. The natural grain pulls in warmth against the red brick, especially with clean mid-century lines like the overhanging roof here. It makes the front door feel more approachable without much fuss.

Try this on low-slung ranch houses or any brick home from the 50s and 60s. Go for sturdy double doors in a medium oak tone. Keep steps simple in concrete, add grasses in planters nearby. It suits yards with some slope or paths, stays low maintenance too.

Brick Facade with Timber Cladding

Side exterior of a brick house with dark vertical timber cladding under the black roofline, large black-framed window, narrow wooden entry door, built-in bench, potted agave plant, grasses, and concrete paver path.

Vertical timber boards run along the roofline above these warm brick walls. That simple touch keeps the mid-century modern lines sharp but makes the house feel less stark, more like a place you’d want to walk up to. The wood picks up on the slim door below and ties right in.

Try this on a ranch-style home or anywhere brick meets the roof. It suits milder climates where wood holds up without much fuss. Keep the boards narrow and spaced for that clean look, and pair with a matching door to pull it together.

Terracotta Pots Warm a Crisp Brick Facade

White brick house exterior featuring a dark paneled door, black-framed window with curtains, and clustered terracotta pots with rosemary, geraniums, and other plants on a concrete path with stone edging.

White brick walls with black window frames and a dark door can look sharp and modern. But they sometimes feel a bit stark. That’s where terracotta pots come in. Grouping a few along the base, like these with rosemary, geraniums, and silvery plants, brings in earthy tones and soft greenery. It pulls the eye down and makes the entry feel lived-in right away.

Try this on smaller homes or urban lots where you want quick curb appeal without big landscaping changes. Stick to pots in matching clay colors for unity. Mix heights and textures, but keep it to four or five so it doesn’t crowd the door. It works year-round too, just swap in seasonal plants.

Brick Facade with Cantilevered Wooden Overhang

Side exterior view of a single-story brick house with a cantilevered wooden roof overhang, dark metal entry door and window, copper mailbox, concrete bench against the wall, broom leaning nearby, and low grasses with gravel ground cover in front.

A cantilevered wooden roof like this one works great on brick houses. It sticks out over the entry and side wall, giving shade from the sun while showing off the warm yellow tones in the brick. That wood adds a softer touch next to the hard brick surface. Keeps the whole front from feeling too boxy.

You can pull this off on mid-century style homes or any low single-story build. Line it up with the door and windows so it frames the entry without blocking light. Pair it with a simple concrete bench underneath for places to sit. Just make sure the wood gets some protection from weather so it stays looking good over time.

Brick Walls with Cut-Out Patterns

Brick house exterior with geometric cut-outs in the red brick wall beside a wooden entry door and glass window, raised brick planter bed with agave succulents and small evergreens, and bluestone paver pathway.

A solid brick wall doesn’t have to feel heavy. These cut-out shapes near the entry let in light and add a bit of pattern without much fuss. The warm red brick stays front and center, and the wood door next to it keeps things friendly.

Try this on a mid-century style house where you want more interest up close. It works on taller walls or along a walkway. Space the openings evenly, and pair with low plants in a matching brick bed to tie it together.

Warm Wood Door on Dark Brick Entry

Front exterior of a house with dark brick recessed entryway containing a vertical wooden door, adjacent light brick wall with large black-framed window, concrete steps with integrated lighting, and low drought-tolerant plants edged by rocks along the sidewalk.

A warm wooden front door like this one really pulls a dark brick facade into something more approachable. Set back in a recessed black brick entry, the vertical slats and golden tone catch the light just right, especially with that soft overhead glow. It cuts the severity of the dark masonry without overwhelming the clean lines.

Try this on mid-century homes or any modern brick exterior facing the street. Go for oak or teak that weathers nicely, and pair it with simple concrete steps for easy access. It suits spots where you want curb appeal that feels personal… not too stark.

Brick Courtyard with Linear Water Rill

Brick courtyard patio with terracotta potted olive tree by a mosaic-tiled outdoor fireplace, narrow linear water channel alongside terracotta tiled steps, wood-clad wall, and roof overhang.

A narrow channel of gently flowing water runs right along the edge of this brick patio, tucked into a courtyard off the house. It picks up the warm tones from the terracotta tiles and potted olive tree nearby, while the soft bubble of the water fills in quiet background sound. That little movement keeps a hard brick space from feeling too still.

You can add one like this to any patio or terrace against a wall, especially where space is tight. It suits midcentury homes with brick already in play. Run it parallel to steps or a fireplace for rhythm, and use a recirculating pump so it’s low fuss. Skip it if your spot gets heavy leaves or debris.

Entry Bench for a Friendly Front Door

Brick mid-century modern house exterior with green front door, large horizontal window with blinds, silver mailbox, concrete bench beside entry, steps with gravel inserts, and ornamental grasses in the front yard.

A low concrete bench tucked right beside the front steps adds a practical spot to pause before heading inside. On this brick house it keeps things simple and grounded, without fussing too much. The bench sits flush with the wall, matching the clean lines of the facade, and it invites people to linger a bit. That small touch makes the whole entry feel less stark, more like a home someone actually uses.

You can pull this off on mid-century style houses or any modern brick exterior facing a walkway. Pair it with wide steps and some low grasses nearby to keep the look open. Just make sure the bench height matches your door area so it doesn’t look tacked on. It works best where foot traffic is light, avoiding spots that get muddy.

Brick Facade with Entry Bench

Red brick house exterior featuring an arched window with blinds, gold wall light, dark green door, stone planter filled with lavender plants, and a pair of woven wooden chairs on a shared frame positioned on the sidewalk.

A simple wooden bench tucked against a brick wall turns a plain exterior into something more approachable. Here, the woven chairs sit right by the door, with a planter of lavender adding a soft touch of green. That little seating spot says “come sit a minute” without much fuss. It fits right into the mid-century lines of the house, warming up the red brick.

Put one near your front door if you have a narrow sidewalk or stoop. Go for natural wood or rattan that echoes the architecture. Add a rugged stone planter with low-growing plants like lavender, they hold up well and smell nice. Keep it minimal so it doesn’t crowd the walk. Works best on city rowhouses or compact brick homes where every inch counts.

Wood Decking Warms Up Brick Terraces

Brick house exterior with large glass sliding doors opening to a raised wooden deck terrace featuring an outdoor dining table and chairs under a black metal pergola, brick planters with plants, large potted agapanthus, and wooden steps to a lower stone patio.

One nice touch here is the raised wood deck that sits right off the brick house. It adds a softer material next to all that brick, making the terrace feel more like an extra room outdoors. Those wide steps lead down to the patio below, and you get that easy flow from inside through the glass doors.

This setup works well on homes with some slope or where you want to lift the seating area a bit. Pair it with simple planters in matching brick, like the ones edging the deck, and keep plants low-key. It suits mid-century styles especially, giving a grounded spot for meals without too much upkeep.

Patio Pool Along the House Wall

Corner of a brick house exterior featuring a narrow rectangular turquoise pool on a concrete patio edged with pavers, a large gray boulder, yucca plants, mulch, and adjacent green lawn.

A narrow pool like this one runs right next to the brick house on the concrete patio. The turquoise water sits still and reflects the sky along with bits of the warm brick wall. Nearby, a big rough rock and clumps of spiky yucca plants add a rugged touch that keeps things from feeling too stark.

This works well for modern homes with flat patios where space is tight. It turns the entry area into a spot you actually want to linger in, especially in warm weather. Go for simple pavers around it and low-water plants to keep maintenance easy. Just check local rules for pools this close to the house.

Simple Wooden Bench Outside Brick Wall

Brick house exterior side with metal awning over a large window with bamboo blinds, wooden deck extending out with a bench on stacked stone and log bases holding firewood stacks, boxwood shrubs, gravel, and grass nearby.

A wooden bench like this one makes a brick house side feel right away more approachable. Placed on a deck flush against the wall, with firewood stacked on log bases underneath, it brings in that rustic wood texture that plays off the brick nicely. No fancy cushions or extras needed. It just sits there, ready for a quick rest, and hints at cozy evenings ahead.

Put one in on smaller brick homes or where you have a deck or patio running along the side. Source rough-sawn wood planks for the seat to match the casual vibe, and use whatever stones or logs you have for support. It suits family spots or garden edges best. Keep the area clear around it so it doesn’t crowd the path.

Built-In Planter at Brick Entry

Black brick house exterior showing entry with matte black door, adjacent glass window with sheer curtains, built-in concrete planter box filled with ferns and hostas, concrete steps, and small potted vine on the wall.

A simple planter box built right into the entry steps can warm up a stark black brick facade. In this house, the concrete box holds tall ferns and rounded hostas that spill out a bit. That green against the dark bricks adds life right where people approach the door. It keeps the modern lines but feels less harsh.

Try this on mid-century homes with dark brick. Place the planter low beside the door or steps so it’s easy to reach for watering. Go for shade-loving plants like ferns that stay lush year-round. It suits smaller lots where you want impact without much yard work.

Brick Planters Matching the Facade

Single-story mid-century modern brick house with horizontal roofline, large sliding glass windows, wall-mounted lights, open entry door, and raised brick planter bed with succulents and grasses along concrete walkway.

One simple way to make a brick house feel more welcoming is to build raised planter beds from the same brick right along the entry path. Here it runs parallel to the concrete walkway, filled with tough succulents like agaves and echeverias. That match pulls everything together. It softens the hard lines of the facade without hiding the architecture.

This works best on low single-story homes in sunny, dry spots. Use bricks that echo your house color exactly, then pick low-water plants that stay under two feet tall. Skip flowers or anything fussy. It suits mid-century brick houses that need a bit more life out front but not a full garden overhaul.

Wood Garage Door on Brick Facade

Brick house exterior with paneled wooden garage door, wooden entry door with light, rusty metal planters holding rosemary plants, concrete walkway edged with pebbles, shingled roof, brick chimney, and tree in background at dusk.

A brick house like this one gets a lot from its wooden garage door. The warm tones of the wood pull against the light brick walls and make the whole front feel more settled and lived-in. Those vertical panels give it a clean midcentury look without any fuss.

You can do the same on low-slung homes or ones with simple lines. Match the entry door in wood too, like here. Keep the path plain concrete edged with pebbles, and add a couple tall plants in metal pots. It works best where you want curb appeal that stays easy to maintain.

Fire Pit Courtyard with Bench Seating

Gravel courtyard with central concrete fire pit, L-shaped bench seating against brick wall and wooden fence, pampas grass plants, beige cushion on bench, and small potted Japanese maple.

One straightforward way to make a backyard feel like an extension of the house is to build an L-shaped bench right against the brick wall, wrapping around a simple concrete fire pit. The gravel floor keeps things easy to maintain, no grass to mow, and the wood slats on the bench add a touch of warmth without much fuss. It pulls people in naturally for evenings around the flames.

This works best in smaller yards or courtyards where you want a dedicated spot for relaxing or small groups. Use concrete for the bench base to match the fire pit, then cap it with affordable wood like cedar. Pair it with tall grasses for screening, and it’ll suit a mid-century brick house perfectly… just make sure the fire pit is gas-lit for quick cleanup.

Brick House with Large Glass Walls

Red brick mid-century modern house exterior featuring a cantilevered upper level with balcony, large horizontal glass window wall overlooking beach dunes and ocean, wooden bench platform, boardwalk path edged by low brick walls and tall grasses.

Big glass walls like these bring the beach right up to the house. The red brick gives a sturdy base that feels solid against the dunes, but those tall windows make the whole facade lighter and more open. It’s a smart mid-century touch that turns a simple brick exterior into something connected to the outdoors, warm without being stuffy.

This setup shines on coastal lots where you have views worth showing off. Put the glass on sides facing water or gardens, and use it to link living areas to decks or patios. Brick around the base keeps things grounded. Just make sure the glass has good treatment for glare and salt air.

Warm Brick Wall with Wood Overhang

Light brick house wall with exposed wooden beam ceiling overhang, large black-framed window, wooden bench on concrete legs, tall bamboo plant in pot, concrete mailbox, and irregular stone paver patio under partly cloudy sky.

A light brick wall like this one stands out because of the wood ceiling that stretches out over it. Those exposed beams give the whole spot a sheltered, cabin-like feel right next to the house. The black window frame keeps things sharp and modern. It pulls the eye without overpowering the warm tones.

You can pull this off on any mid-century brick home by adding a simple overhang at a side door or patio edge. Pair it with a bench for sitting out. Just keep the brick in softer shades so it doesn’t look too heavy. Bamboo nearby softens it more if you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I refresh my existing brick without replacing it all?

A: Power wash gently to bring back the brick’s warm tones. Repoint the mortar with a color that matches the brick. You get that clean, inviting look fast.

Q: What windows fit best with mid-century modern brick?

A: Go for large picture windows with slim metal frames. They flood the space with light and highlight the brick texture.

Q: How do plants help warm up a brick exterior?

A: Tuck low-growing shrubs and grasses right along the foundation. They soften those straight lines… and make the house feel lived-in.

Q: Should I paint the trim to match these designs?

A: But stick to earthy neutrals like sage green or warm taupe. They play off the brick without overwhelming it. Fresh paint pulls the whole facade together.