Limewashed Brick Can Give Your Home a Lived-In Look—Here's How to Use the Technique

Bricks are beautiful in their own right, but not everyone loves the look of the raw, red surface for the exterior or interior of their home. Limewashing bricks provides an alternative to completely covering bricks with paint, maintaining the integrity of that rugged and earthy aesthetic while softening the overall appearance. It also creates a “lived-in” effect that instantly lends depth and personality.

"Limewash is known for creating a soft, subtle, textured, and velvety finish when applied to surfaces," says Michael Dolatowski, an interior architect and designer. "It’s often used to achieve a luxurious yet organic appearance, embracing a 'perfectly imperfect' quality."

Keep reading to learn how to limewash brick, the advantages of doing so, and how to properly care for your brick once it’s been limewashed. 

What Is Limewash?

Limewash is a paint made from limestone that's been crushed and mixed with water. The resulting putty that's formed goes through an aging process and is thinned with more water to create a thin, chalky-looking coating. You can add colored pigments to give limewash a hue other than its traditional white look.

Advantages of Limewashed Brick 

The biggest advantage of limewashed brick is that it can revitalize and enhance existing texture. In other words, it breathes new life into both interior spaces and external facades. 

It’s also pretty easy to apply, offering a big return on the time invested and money spent. Plus, the nature of the lived-in aesthetic means that upkeep is relatively low maintenance says painting expert Larry A. Kuhn, owner of Five Star Painting of Plain City, a Neighborly brand. "As the limewash wears off over time, which it is meant to do, it will look even better so generally it is not something you continue to keep up," he says.  

Another interesting benefit of limewashed brick is that it’s often more environmentally friendly compared to some other resurfacing options. "Many are all-natural and nontoxic, which is a great alternative compared to some traditional paints that can be harmful to the environment," Dolatowski says. 

You'll also provide a layer of breathable protection for your bricks if you limewash them. Because limewash is made from all natural ingredients, it doesn't have the same mechanisms to trap moisture like commercially made paints do, thus avoiding peeling and chipping down the line.

Disadvantages of Limewash Brick 

There are some downsides to limewashed brick. The first is that even though the upkeep is minimal, you are technically taking a virtually maintenance-free item (brick) and transforming it into something that will need touch-ups occasionally, notes Kuhn. 

Additional disadvantages are that you’re limited in color selection—limewash is mostly a shade of white or other pale, neutral, earthy tone—and it can be difficult to remove once applied. It can also be difficult to achieve even coverage, but for some, that’s part of the charm of the finish.

How to Limewash Bricks: A Step-By-Step Guide  

Tools You'll Need

• Stiff bristle brush
• Sponge
• Drop cloths
• Spray bottle filled with water
• Painter's tape (if needed)
• Primer
• Paint brush and/or roller
• Limewash
• Old rags
• Sealant

Step 1: Prepare the Brick Surface:

Thoroughly clean the brick surface to remove any dust, dirt, or debris. A stiff bristle brush and/or durable sponge is handy for this, and a soapy water mixture will suffice. 

Step 2: Protect Surrounding Areas: 

Similar to any painting project, use drop clothes to cover the floor and furniture if you're limewashing an interior brick wall, and tape off any areas so you can create clean edges. 

Step 3: Apply a Primer (Optional): 

Priming is an optional step, but Dolatowski recommends taking the time to work this into the process. It ensures that you have a nice, smooth canvas for the limewash. One or two coats is all you need, and make sure to follow on-label instructions.

Step 4: Prepare Your Limewash Mixture: 

Every limewash product is different, so follow the specific instructions to prepare the product prior to usage. For example, some brands require diluting with water, and it’s important to stir the product well so it’s smooth and even. 

Step 5: Apply Your Limewash: 

Next, dip your paint brush or roller into the limewash and apply as you would with traditional paint. Kuhn says some products recommend wetting the wall first, so again, be sure to follow the label instructions. 

He also recommends applying the limewash in thin layers to build coverage versus applying a thick coat all at once. This allows for more finesse and control over the finished look as you work. If desired, you can apply a second coat working to your desired opaqueness. 

Step 6: Strategically Remove Some of the Limewash: 

Once you’ve reached your desired opaqueness, Kunh says to "use very wet rags to 'wash’' the wall. The more you wipe off, the older it looks." A rag or brush can also work for this. The goal is to create some natural texture for more character. 

Step 7: Allow the Limewash to Dry: 

Give your limewash some time to dry, which can take several hours, depending on the product and your environment. Once dry, you can assess and determine whether to add more or scrub away at spots to create the perfect results. 

Caring for Limewashed Brick

Once your limewashed brick is complete, you can mostly "set it and forget it."

"Let nature take its toll. It will wear over time, which is really the whole goal of limewashing!" Kunh says. 

To help preserve the look—especially if the limewash is on the exterior of your home—Dolatowski recommends applying a sealant.

"It's important to note that limewash, being porous and breathable, is effective in preventing humidity buildup within walls but can also easily absorb oils," Dolatowski says. "Therefore, extra care and preventive measures are necessary to protect the finish."