We went with real brick in our last place, and honestly, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Yeah, the upfront cost hurt a bit, but the solid feel and quietness really changed how we enjoyed the space day-to-day. Didn't notice huge energy savings either, but the house just felt consistently comfortable year-round. Plus, hanging heavy artwork without second-guessing drywall anchors was a surprisingly nice perk... didn't expect that to matter as much as it did.
"Plus, hanging heavy artwork without second-guessing drywall anchors was a surprisingly nice perk... didn't expect that to matter as much as it did."
Funny you mention that—I had a similar "aha" moment with real brick walls a few years back. We built a custom home for a client who was an avid collector of vintage guitars. He wanted a music room that felt solid and secure, so we went with real brick walls. At first, I thought it was mostly about aesthetics, but when he started hanging his guitars directly onto the brick, it clicked for me. No worries about studs or drywall anchors, just sturdy hooks straight into the brick. The room ended up feeling like a cozy, quiet sanctuary—perfect acoustics, too. Sure, brick isn't always the easiest or cheapest route, but there's something genuinely satisfying about that solidity and permanence. It changes how you interact with your space in subtle but meaningful ways.
"Sure, brick isn't always the easiest or cheapest route, but there's something genuinely satisfying about that solidity and permanence."
Totally get the appeal, but have you considered acoustics might be hit-or-miss depending on room size and furnishings? Brick can sometimes bounce sound around awkwardly... drywall and acoustic panels might actually offer more flexibility.
I went with real brick walls in my living room, and while I love the look and feel, I have to admit the acoustics were a bit tricky at first. Like you mentioned:
"Brick can sometimes bounce sound around awkwardly..."
We ended up adding some thick rugs and curtains, which helped a lot. Still, there's something about the genuine brick texture that drywall just can't replicate. It's definitely a trade-off, but for me personally, worth the extra effort to get it right.
Real brick definitely has its charm and character, no argument there. But having worked with both, I'd still lean towards brick veneer for most indoor spaces. Yeah, you lose a bit of that authentic feel, but the acoustic issues you mentioned can be a real pain—especially in open-plan designs or areas where sound control matters. Rugs and curtains help, sure, but then you're somewhat limited in your decor choices long-term.
A few years ago, I did a custom home project where we went full authentic brick indoors. Looked fantastic at first, but the homeowners ended up spending way more than planned on acoustic panels and soft furnishings just to manage the echo. It wasn't terrible, but it did kinda defeat the purpose of choosing brick for simplicity and authenticity. Veneer might lack a little depth when you're up close, but honestly, once furniture and lighting are in place, most people don't even notice the difference. Just my two cents...
