I'd paint. I wouldn't use ANY tone of gray in "darker " rooms.

How about BM Sandlot on brick and BM Cloud Cover on walls

Personally I would paint it white. A creamy white maybe.

I would consider painting it charcoal grey or black in satin or semi-gloss. Add some drama and contrast to the room!

Hi hubbard! Glad you're willing to paint the brick, but maybe you could tell us what colors the other things in the room are going to be. Paint is a lot cheaper than furniture pieces, so paint choices should be based on those things, not vice versa.

Thanks everyone! You've made some really good suggestions. I think I need to get the flooring installed and then take another look at the brick. I'm just not completely sold on painting it yet.

We've never regretted painting our brick!

It looks like a light and neutral brick, which is a nice focal point, so I wouldn't paint it. I also wouldn't ever paint a basement gray. Try a warm white or cream.

Thanks for all your comments! Only reason I was thinking gray is because the color of the brick. It's not exactly tan, it's more like a cream color. And the texture is pretty rough. Anyone know what kind of brick it is? It's definitely not cream city brick and it almost looks more like a yellow. Anyways I'm afraid of picking the wrong color because the brick will look super yellow.

I know exactly the color you are talking about. It's that underlying yellow/pink/peach color brick!

paint it! just make sure and use a paint that is meant for masonry/stucco. Try an off white. (you can get it tinted any color) Or if you want to do daring,do a deep color like charcoal or black and do the surrounding walls in a cream tone. would look really good.

very dramatic!

or the white wash

with surrounding white walls

Here is a close up. So this is the color I was thinking and you can see how it looks different depending on the lighting. I agree I think it's going to be too dark.

Hi again hubbardrc20! I've seen that one or two people have suggested a black or dark charcoal paint for the brick. I have to say that I don't think that's a good idea. That brick is the entire wall in a basement.

Even a walkout basement has lighting challenges and while you have several can lights near part of that wall, the alcove on the right is totally without lighting. My concern is that the wall will turn into a large black hole with a lot of visual weight on one end of the room. All of this is subject to your own personal taste, of course! We can all "advise" till the cows come home, but it's your house and your decisions. ::-}

Paint it! Photos below show how transforming that simple task can be.

So I think I have to give you more information. This house was built in the 50s and we've tried to keep a lot of the original character. The first floor has a double-sided fireplace. Which is Landstone and reclaimed brick. We also have the original Jalousie windows. The basement is a walkout. So the front room where the fireplaces does have a lot of natural light. I will attach some pictures of the upstairs. It's important to me that the house flows.

You are now describing a more transitional / traditional place. Washing the brick will be the best transitional result and give you light . . . however, choose a soft tan tone to wash it with so it doesn't turn out pink / peachy pink. I recommend something like bm manchester tan - cut it in 1/2 or by 1/3 with water and use a sponge . .you can apply a second coat if you want a lighter result. Paint the rest of the room the same neutral shade . . voila! updated, traditional and neutral.

It depends on your style. If you like the weathered and natural look, try the German Smear that hsharrington suggested. Visually it's more ineresting than painted brick. Search "brick walls" on Houzz photos and you'll find gorgeous rooms combined beautifully with colorful floorings.

This is all I can find right now, and we've replaced the couch.