Why Cream Painted Brick Is One of the Best Exterior Upgrades You Can Make
Cream painted brick is having a major moment — and for good reason. A soft, warm cream tone can completely transform a tired brick exterior into something inviting, timeless, and full of curb appeal.
Here are the best cream paint colors for brick, at a glance:
| Paint Color | Brand | LRV | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballet White | Benjamin Moore | ~80 | Brick and siding unified look |
| Swiss Coffee | Benjamin Moore | 83.93 | Trim and accent walls |
| Woodland Cream | BEHR | N/A | Masonry, stucco, brick |
For the best results on brick, use a breathable masonry paint — such as an elastomeric or mineral-based product like Romabio — so moisture can escape and your brick stays healthy long-term.
Painting brick is no longer the risky move it once was. Modern masonry coatings are specifically designed to let brick breathe while protecting it from moisture, mildew, and cracking. One homeowner described painting their 1970s-era red brick farmhouse cream as restoring the home’s original welcoming character — and bringing it back to its historic roots.
That said, picking the right shade of cream is trickier than it looks. Undertones, lighting, and your home’s orientation all affect how the color reads once it’s on the wall—and how it pairs with your indoor window treatments, such as custom blinds and layered draperies.
I’m Douglas Caniglia, Director of Commercial and Industrial Sales at The Color House, where I’ve spent years guiding contractors and homeowners through high-performance coatings decisions — including the nuances of getting cream painted brick just right. Let me walk you through the best products available right now—including the indoor blinds and draperies that complete the look—so you can choose with confidence.
Choosing the Right Cream Painted Brick for Your Home
When we look at a home that needs a refresh, cream painted brick often tops the list of recommendations, especially when paired with high-quality indoor blinds and draperies. Why? Because pure white can often feel too “stark” or “clinical” under the bright Rhode Island sun. A cream or off-white shade provides that sought-after brightness while maintaining a sense of history and warmth.
One of the most effective design strategies we see at our locations in North Kingstown and Middletown is the “unified look.” By painting both the brick and the siding in a single cream shade, like Ballet White, you can make a busy architectural style—like a split-level—look cohesive and much larger than it actually is.
Choosing the right shade requires looking at the Light Reflectance Value (LRV) and the undertones. LRV is a scale from 0 (black) to 100 (white) that tells you how much light a color reflects. In cream painted brick, we usually aim for the 75–85 range.
| Color Name | Brand | LRV | Undertone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballet White | Benjamin Moore | 71.97 | Warm, slight yellow/gray |
| Swiss Coffee | Benjamin Moore | 83.93 | Warm, creamy yellow |
| Seapearl | Benjamin Moore | 76.43 | Off-white, gray/beige |
Top Benjamin Moore Colors for Cream Painted Brick
As Rhode Island’s premier Benjamin Moore dealer, we have seen these shades transform countless local homes. If you are looking for that perfect “not-too-white” look, these are our top picks:
- Ballet White (OC-9): This is a designer favorite for a reason. It hints at a creamy yellow without committing too hard to a specific color. It’s excellent for balancing out the “heaviness” of a brick exterior.
- Swiss Coffee (OC-45): With an LRV of 83.93, this is one of the brightest creams. It’s sophisticated and works beautifully as an all-over color or a high-contrast trim.
- Seapearl (OC-19): If you want a cream that leans slightly more toward a “greige” or “off-white,” Seapearl is the way to go. It’s soft, modern, and looks incredible next to natural wood accents.
Before you buy gallons, we always recommend starting with Cream Color Paint Samples to see how the Rhode Island light interacts with the pigments on your specific masonry.
Essential Paint Types: Romabio and Breathable Masonry Coatings
One of the biggest questions we get at our Wakefield and Cranston stores is: “Will painting ruin my brick?” The answer used to be yes, but modern technology has changed the game. Traditional latex paint can trap moisture inside the brick, leading to peeling and structural damage.
To ensure your cream painted brick lasts for decades, we recommend specialized products:
- RomaBio: This is a mineral-based paint imported from Italy. It is highly breathable and actually calcifies to the brick. It’s sold as a concentrate that you dilute with water, making it surprisingly cost-effective for large projects.
- Limewash: If you want a weathered, “Old World” look where some of the original brick peeks through, limewash is a fantastic alternative to solid paint.
- Elastomeric Masonry Paint: For a solid, opaque finish, products like BEHR’s Masonry, Stucco & Brick paint offer excellent water repellency and color retention. These are designed to “stretch” slightly, preventing cracks as the brick expands and contracts with the seasons.
The Impact of Lighting and LRV on Cream Painted Brick
Lighting is the “silent partner” in your paint job. Because exterior paint is exposed to direct sunlight, it will always look significantly lighter outside than it does on a small swatch in the store.
A cream color with an LRV in the low 80s might look like a clean white in the middle of the day; however, during the “golden hour” or on the north side of your house, those yellow and beige undertones will become more prominent.
If your home has a North-facing exposure, colors can often look cooler or slightly bluish. To counter this, a warm cream with yellow undertones is essential to keep the home from looking “muddy.” For more tips on navigating these tricky shifts, check out Don’t Get Whipped: Your Guide to Cream Paint Testers and Swatches.
Coordinating Trim and Door Colors
Once you’ve settled on your cream painted brick base, you need the right accents to make it “pop.”
- Muted Earth Tones: Instead of a jarring black, many homeowners are opting for deep, muted browns or greens. Willow by Benjamin Moore is a stunning choice for trim and windows, providing a sophisticated frame for your indoor blinds.
- Deep Greens and Blues: Mohegan Sage or Westcott Navy provide a classic, “coastal New England” feel that feels right at home in Smithfield or Wakefield.
- Bold Front Doors: If the rest of the house is neutral, your front door is the place to be “bad-ass.” A bold orange or a deep turquoise can create a welcoming focal point against the soft cream backdrop.
Pairing Indoor Window Treatments with Cream Brick Interiors
The beauty of cream painted brick isn’t just for the exterior. Many Rhode Island lofts and historic renovations feature interior cream brick walls. When you have such a textured, warm backdrop, your window treatments need to be equally thoughtful.
For interior cream brick, we recommend soft, organic textures. Indoor blinds in light wood tones or woven grasses complement the rustic nature of the brick. Roman shades in a textured fabric can add a layer of sophistication without overwhelming the masonry. If you prefer a more formal look, floor-to-ceiling draperies in a neutral linen or a heavy cotton can soften the hard lines of the brick and provide excellent light control. Sheer curtains are another excellent option, allowing natural light to filter through while adding an elegant, airy layer to the room.
At The Color House, we don’t just do paint—we specialize in helping you find the perfect window treatments to match your newly painted walls. Whether you need custom draperies that add a layer of luxury or cellular shades for energy efficiency, our design experts can help you coordinate the look. We offer a wide selection of blinds and draperies that can be customized to fit any window size, ensuring your cream brick walls are perfectly framed.
Maintenance and Longevity of Painted Masonry
While cream painted brick is beautiful, it does require a bit more thought than natural brick.
- Cleaning: You’ll want to gently power wash or hose down your exterior annually to remove dirt and pollen, which show up more easily on light colors.
- Coverage: Most masonry paints cover about 400 sq. ft. per gallon. For a 3,500 square foot home, you can expect a professional project to cost around $8,500, though this varies based on the condition of your mortar.
- The “Cream City” Factor: If you have “Cream City” brick (brick with natural yellow/ochre undertones), you might not need paint at all! Sometimes a professional cleaning and the right trim color can bring out the natural beauty of the masonry.
Elevating Your Cream Painted Brick with Interior Design
A successful home makeover is about more than just a bucket of paint; it’s about a cohesive vision that includes everything from the masonry to the indoor blinds and draperies. Whether you are painting a 19th-century farmhouse or a mid-century ranch, the goal is to create a space that feels like you, perfectly framed by the right window coverings.
At The Color House, we take pride in being a women-owned business that offers a personalized alternative to the big-box stores. We don’t just sell you a gallon of paint; we offer the expert advice and individualized service you need to ensure your project is a success.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thousands of cream shades available, don’t worry. Our team offers professional color consultation services across all our Rhode Island locations. We can help you navigate LRVs, undertones, and architectural styles to find the perfect palette for your home.
From the first swatch to the final coat and the selection of the perfect window treatments, we are here to help you achieve the home of your dreams. Stop by one of our stores in North Kingstown, Cranston, Wakefield, Smithfield, or Middletown today, and let’s get started on your cream painted brick transformation!
