Faux Brick Tutorial Using Joint Compound

4 Materials
$40
7 Hours
Easy
I'm here to share my latest project with you all that only cost me less than $20! I did have some materials on hand but if you were to do it yourself, there is NO way you would go over $40. This faux brick used joint compound, painter's tape, acrylic and chalk paint, a paint brush and putty knife. That's it! And it's so easy that anyone can do it. It took me two days after my day job to finish it which is actually only about 7 hours.
Here's a during shot, after I had applied the joint compound and removed the painter's tape. You can see the FULL tutorial on my blog as well as links to the products used here. I just applied my painters tape at the thickness desired of each brick, smeared joint compound around everywhere, and removed painter's tape while it was still wet. Then I let it dry for 24 hours.
This is what my kitchen wall looked like before. It was a taupe color, and kind of boring. Since this project, we have added a corrugated metal awning over that window. I'll be posting that soon.
I used a mixture of browns, creams, and whites to get this look, as well as a dark wax for the grout. You can also see a picture on my blog of what this wall looked like with white "grout" and a white wash. That was before I decided the white color didn't flow with my cabinet color which is old ochre by Annie Sloan. You can see that kitchen renovation here and how I did it for less than $600!
Of course I had to include a detailed shot to show you just how realistic this faux brick is. I've had several people comment already on how much they love my brick wall. Jokes on them, because it's not real! Don't forget to visit my blog to see the full tutorial as well as some more unseen photos of the before, during and after!
Suggested materials:
  • Joint Compound   (Lowe's)
  • Painters Tape
  • Putty Knife
See all materials
Two Paws Farmhouse | Homesteading
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Go
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  2 questions
  • Stu14413822 Stu14413822 on Jul 15, 2017

    M . Sturr- Is there any way someone could do this procedure outside ? It really is beautiful . Maybe seal everything or something ?

  • M M on Aug 19, 2019

    Your wall looks terrific. I just finished a similar project in my bathroom. It was my first trial at this. My cost was slightly higher. The bucket of joint compound was $40 alone. But all in all a gallon of white paint, which of course I only use less than a quart maybe even a third of a quart, was around $70.


    Kind of joint compound did you use? Again yours looks really great though.

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 6 comments
  • Rob F Rob F on Jul 01, 2017

    Will definitely do this. I did a similar wall without the "taping" in my dining room, and it is wonderful. Grout is so easy to work with!

  • M M on Aug 23, 2019

    I saw this a year a go and had to give it a go. Now I’m going to do the backsplash in my kitchen

Next