DIY

10 Decorative Painting Techniques to Use in Your Home

DIY

If your home could use a bit of sprucing up, there are plenty of ways to do it. A coat of paint and some good techniques are all you need to give your house a whole new feel.

Here are 10 decorative painting techniques to use in your home:

1. Sponge painting

Using a sponge to paint your walls can create a unique look.  Try sponging on a tone that’s similar to your primary wall color for a soft, chic appearance.  You could also paint a dark hue on top of a neutral base for a bold, marbled effect.  Sponge painting is a great way to add some fun style to your décor.

2. Textured walls

If you have older walls with a few imperfections, using a textured paint can help cover those pesky spots.  The tiny sand granules will adhere to the surface and dry along with the paint.  Textured walls will add visual interest to almost any room.

3. Chalkboard paint

Chalkboard paint can be a cute decorative element.  It’s especially fun for children’s rooms.  Using this type of paint will turn your wall into a chalkboard that your kids can write on again and again.  You could also give a chalkboard coating to an area of your kitchen.  You’ll create a terrific spot for your weekly shopping list or monthly calendar.

4. Stripes

When you’re painting a room, it’s common to be torn between two colors.  Painting a striped effect means you don’t have to choose.  Just use painter’s tape to segment off vertical or horizontal portions of a wall and paint each block with alternating shades.  The result will be fantastic stripes that are sure to make a statement.

5. Stamp painting

Whether you purchase stamps at a craft store or you make your own with wood and foam, painting with this technique will produce a fantastic look.  Wallpaper can deteriorate over time and may be troublesome to replace if you get tired of it.  Stamping a design on to your wall will give you a cleaner appearance that you can easily paint over when you’re ready for a change.

6. Crackle finish

It’s easy to create crackled walls.  To produce this stunning effect, start by giving your walls a coat of paint.  You may want to use a vibrant color to accentuate the cracks and ridges you’ll be forming.  Let the paint dry completely and brush on a layer of crackle finish.  Once the finish is no longer wet to the touch, apply a final coat of paint in a different color.  As your walls dry, the surface will begin to crack and you’ll convey a chic vibe in your room.

7. Stenciling

If you’re concerned about maintaining a steady hand while painting, stencils can be a big help.  When you’re using a stencil to form a pattern on your walls, you can expect clean lines and consistency.  From faint flowers to daring diamonds, you’re certain to find a design that suits your taste.

8. Ragging

Ragging is a similar concept to sponge painting.  You use a rag to apply a coat of glaze to a painted wall.  The creases of the rag will typically give you a more rustic appearance than the small pores of a sponge.  Ragging is the ideal way to conceal any small blemishes you’ve grown tired of looking at.

9. Strie

The strie technique will give you the look of stripes without the harsh edges.  Just apply a base coat of paint and allow it to dry.  Then, brush on a glaze and use a brush to remove some of it using soft, vertical strokes.  The end result will be subtle bands of color that mimic the fine lines of wood.

10. Layering

For a modern look, try layering colors in a room.  For example, you could paint your ceiling pale blue and add a deeper shade like indigo to your walls.  Finish things off by painting your trim dark navy.  Layering similar hues will pull everything in the room together for an interesting, cohesive appearance.

When it comes to painting your home, you have a lot of methods to choose from.  Any of these decorative painting techniques will help you craft a style that’s uniquely yours.  Give one of them a try to turn your house into your dream home.