Wall Painting Ideas

There are several ways to go about achieving certain paint effects to walls, making them unique and at the same time introducing character and a sense of belonging to your room. Do bear in mind that you can either use water-based or oil-based paints, but oil-based paints usually gives a richer and classier look although it takes a longer time to dry.

Stripes

The stripe effect on walls can either be done free hand or in straighter lines with the help of some tapes or tricks. You can either stick strips of masking tape at intervals vertically or horizontally along the wall before you paint the wall surface as per normal using a paint brush or roller. When the paint dries up, peel off the strips of masking tapes to reveal the contrasting stripes in colours. Another method you can try is to tie elastic bands around a foam roller and apply paint using the roller as usual. This technique is more free-styled and often produces a more free-spirited effect. The slight wobbly lines adds character to the stripes effect of the wall. Such stripes painting effect, when done with pleasantly contrasting colours, can exude candy-cane sweetness or manhattan-inspired if colours used are all posh and gold.

Colourwashing

This painting idea is best applied on walls that are flawed or with slight imperfections. Make your choice of water-based paints, like a pale base coat and either a darker or lighter colour. You may choose up to 4 or 5 darker or lighter colours. Select a base colour and paint on the wall using the chosen base colour and allow it to dry.

Take the remaining coloured paints and make colour wash out of them by thinning them down by mixing them with water, estimated to be one part of paint to about 4 parts of water. These colour wash are to be applied one colour at a time with a soft brush or a soft clean cloth. Depending on your pattern of strokes and ratio of wash mixes, the effect of colourwashing gives the wall a new dimension, yet fully natural-looking and not overly done.

Sponging

Sponging is a relatively easy method to decorate walls. After the wall has been painted with a solid colour, choose contrasting colour paint and dilute it. Dip a big sponge into the diluted paint and remove any excess paint from the sponge. Apply the sponge on to the wall in a dabbing manner to achieve the effect. An alternate sponging technique is to paint the contrasting diluted paint over the wall and then sponge it off using a clean sponge to take off the excess paint, leaving the sponging marks on the wall to create the same effect.

Ragging and Bagging

The method of ragging application is very similar to sponging except that instead of a sponge, a scrunched-up clean and dry rag. Likewise for bagging, a scrunched up plastic bag containing a rag is used in place of a sponge or rag.

Dry Brushing

Dry brushing works best on walls that are in good condition with an existing smooth finish or surface. This painting technique plays with dry strokes that creates patterns and textures when applied. First, apply a water-based paint on to the wall. Then choose another paint colour or shade, and dip a hard and wide brush into it, and remove as much excess paint as possible as you will need dry strokes to create the texture and impressions. Apply in strokes with your almost dry paintbrush to the wall in a cross-hatched or back and forth manner to form fan-shaped patterns. If you want the popping effect to be more intense, repeat the hatching strokes for a few more times. Finish it with a matte varnish to protect the underlying paints. This dry brushing effect brings out interesting textures to the wall, and adds a lively ambience to the room.

Glazing

This technique is suitable for flawed walls such as with slight defects or marks or discoloration. Firstly, choose either an oil-based or water-based paint. Then choose  a glaze in a darker shade; the glaze can be of the same shade of the paint you chose earlier, or in a different colour or even of a contrasting hue. If you choose a water-based paint, the glaze used must also be water-based, and the same goes for the oil-based glaze to be used with an oil-based paint. Do take note that an oil-based paint and glaze effect will give a richer effect while a water-based one will give a more subtle and airy effect.

Stenciling

Using stenciling method to design your wall ideas has the fullest versatility of all. Simply purchase ready stencils from craft stores, or make your own out of thin card or posterboard by designing a pattern or motif and by using a scalpel or penknife blade, cut out the design. Paste the stencil template by taping it down on to the wall. Ensure that it does not lift as you paint over the cut-out or the paint edges will smudge. You may do this by securing it on thin pieces of blue tacks from behind. Paint with a paintbrush or spray paint a colour of your choice over the stencil board, be sure not to paint beyond the boundary of the board. Stenciling technique of decorating walls have become increasingly popular with younger home owners as this gives them an opportunity to display certain art forms without having to buy any sculptures or artifacts in the house and to display their artistic flairs for some.

Dragging

The dragging technique is adopted if the intended design of the wall is one comprising of very thin striping patterns, almost like lines. For this wall design, you will need a flogger brush. Firstly, paint a colour on the wall in the usual manner and while the paint is still wet, use the flogger brush to apply from the top of the wall, apply some pressure as you drag the brush down to the bottom. For a crisscross hatching effect, you may repeat the same process except this time run the brush across the wall from left to right horizontally. Dragging is best achieved using oil-based paint and finish as it gives a richer texture.

Stippling

This effect will require a brush with hard or firm bristles or a stippling brush. Like sponging, dip the brush into diluted paint and remove any excess paint to make the brush as dry as possible. Start to stipple on the wall with the brush in a dabbing motion to create textures. Depending on the outcome of the textures you intend for it to turn out, you may apply slight or more pressure as you dab. By varying the pressure, the aesthetics of the wall consists of varying lengths of strokes, which can create an interesting texture. The diluted paint you use can be of contrast, or in a darker or lighter hue. Once all the paint has dried, apply artist’s oil paint diluted in an oil-based glaze on the wall. This will give an additional matte finish and the varnish will also protect the surface from weathering out.

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