Brick Wall Panels: How to Make an Accent Wall

Our brick accent wall is one of my favorite features we’ve done in the new house. No surprise there–it was one my favorite things about the old house. Except no one else ever saw it because it was in our bedroom! If you want to see that one, take a walk down memory lane for our 2020 One Room Challenge. This new one is a faux brick wall with a “German Schmear” technique right at the front of our home, in the office. Everyone can see it when they walk in. And, no one ever believes me when I tell them how easy it was!

The Materials

• 3 8′ x 4′ Brick Wall Panels
• Liquid Nails
• Finishing Nails
• Drywall Joint Compound
• Paint Brush
• Drop Cloth
• Clean Cloth

The Tools

• Pry Bar
• Oscillating Tool
• Circular Saw
• Caulk Gun
• Nail Gun
• Level
• Tape Measure
• Drywall Putty Knife
• Mud Pan
• Water Bowl

Prep Time!

Remove the baseboard from the wall where you’ll be installing the brick wall panel.

Use an oscillating tool to trim off the baseboard on the adjacent wall to make room for the wall panel to be inserted.

Cut the 8×4 wall panels down to fit the 95″ height. Make sure to cut the same edge of all of the panels, since they are manufactured with a certain print.

Installation of the Brick Wall Panels

The process of installation is pretty straightforward. You’ll want to repeat for each of the brick wall panels. I address the one obstacle we faced below (in the middle panel) when cutting a hole for the electrical outlet.

Apply Liquid Nails to the back side of the brick wall panel liberally.

Once you place the panel against the wall, smooth from center to sides. Before nailing in place, check level and make adjustments to ensure everything is straight. I obviously decided to use the smallest level we own to do this step.

Use your nail gun to nail. Start with the center, then do edges, back and forth. Keep a small stool on hand to do the top.

When working around an outlet, you’ll want to use a tape measure to get a general idea of where you’ll be cutting. You’ll want to cut the size of the outlets, but not larger than the cover.

You’ll take those measurements to your next brick wall panel, drawing the area of the outlet right on the front so you can cut it out.

Use the oscillating tool to cut out the shape of the outlet. If you are conservative on your cuts, you’ll be able to make more generous cuts once you’re ready to place it on the wall.

I had Scott help me with this step–it’s much easier to do with two people. Dry fit the wall panel in position, and mark spots where you need to adjust the cuts. Pull the panel away from the wall far enough to make the cuts without hitting the wall or the outlet, then place it back to see if you’re finished.

Once the cuts are correct, turn off power to the outlet. You’ll disengage the screws so the outlet is loose. Repeat the steps of adding Liquid Nails to the back, and then slowly fit the wall panel in position on the wall. One person is bringing the wall panel toward the wall; the other is guiding the loose outlet through the hole.

The “Schmear” Technique

Apply drywall joint compound to the brick. The idea is that you’ll want it to be thick in some areas, and more thin in others. I started by covering the seams with thick coverage so they wouldn’t be noticeable. Then, I tapered the thickness from there. I also didn’t want to call attention to the seams being the only area with an extra thick layer, so I created larger sections of thickness, saving thinner areas for non-seam sections.

Once you apply the drywall compound and “schmear” it around, let it dry. You can also reapply more if you want to add. Use a wet cloth to remove areas that seem too thick, or if you want more red to show through. The wet cloth can also help smooth out areas. Once you’re happy with the results, let it dry for a couple days.

You’re going to seal the dried wall with paint. For the same sheen as the compound, I prefer to use a flat paint. I prefer the “whitewashed” look, where you can still see some red coloring through the painted areas. Dilute paint 50/50 with water. You’ll use a paint brush to apply. Have a damp cloth and a bowl of water on hand. I frequently rinse and ring out my cloth.

Work in small sections (2′ x 2′) to paint on the diluted paint, and then pat it with the damp cloth. You can dab it, pat it, even wipe it to get the desired look. This can all be wiped off and redone. There’s no right or wrong. The idea behind the “sealing” process is to seal off the drywall so you don’t have constant dust. The other reason is to lessen the “yellowing” that is natural with dried joint compound. The third? Drywall compound is kind of stinky, so you’ll have a better atmosphere after you’re all done!

The Finished Wall

It’s a stunning accent wall for my new office! Next up? A DIY ledge shelf, a wall of built-ins and a small drop zone for backpacks! Stay tuned for the reveal!