4 Decorative Painting Techniques to Spruce Up Plain Walls
The paint you put on your walls does more than match your furniture—it can impact your mood, productivity, and creativity as well. So whether you want to turn your room into a hub of inspiration or a chamber of zen, it’s worth putting some thought into choosing the right paint treatments.
Want some wall painting design ideas to elevate your space? You came to the right place.
Read on for a few of the best decorative painting techniques you can use at home.
1. Geometric Shapes
Geometric shapes are a fun way to liven up your space. They’re perfect for an accent wall and can be as bold or neutral as you want.
All you need to get started is some painter’s tape, a brush or roller, and paint in your chosen colors. Use the tape to mark out a geometric pattern on the wall—it can be as regular or abstract as you want. Paint the shapes, and once it’s completely dry, peel off the tape to reveal the background color underneath.
2. Stencil a Pattern
Love the idea of geometric patterns, but don’t trust yourself to go at it freehand? Stenciling could be the answer.
You can buy a pre-made stencil, or you can make a custom one out of cardstock or thin acrylic. Make sure to line up your stencils carefully with each other and the straight edges of the wall—a laser level may help with this.
3. Decorative Glazes
If you want to add a little shine to your walls but want something more organic than a geometric pattern, you might want to try out some specialty glazes.
Glazes can go on top of any paint to add some more interest to a flat color. You can use glazes to create a faux leather look, a glossy finish, or a marbled effect. If you prefer the metallic look, you can use a blue/green glaze on top of copper paint for a faux patina effect.
Getting a patina or glaze to look just right takes quite a bit of time and experience. If you want your walls to look great but can’t devote much time to practice your technique, professional painting services can help.
4. Ombré Gradient
Ombré gradients are great for calm, creative, and artistic spaces.
Choose two to three colors of paint that form a color gradient, the lightest of which will be your base color. Paint the entire wall with the base and let it dry.
Choose which edge of your wall you want to be the darkest and mark a line two feet away from it along the entire length of the wall. Paint your darkest solid color all the way up to that line. Then, either start to blend in your next lightest color or begin painting with a watered-down version of your dark color.
Keep blending the paint as you go across the wall, getting lighter and lighter until it fades into the base coat to get the ombré effect.
These Decorative Painting Techniques Will Jazz up Your Walls
Whether you want your living space to be calm and simple or you’re looking to make a bold statement, these decorative painting techniques have you covered. Now, go pick out some paint colors and get started!
Looking for more home design inspiration? Make sure to check out the other articles on our site.