Home Design & Decorating Decorating Walls & Paint

16 Decorative Wall Painting Techniques

By
Kelly Weimert
Kelly Weimert

Kelly Weimert is an interior design expert with 10 years of experience writing about design and home decor. Her work has also been featured in Apartment Therapy, Hunker, Texasliving magazine, and other interior design publications.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 06/16/21
Fact checked by
Jillian Dara
Jillian Dara
Fact checked by Jillian Dara
Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. She is a writer and fact checker for TripSavvy, as well as a fact-checker for The Spruce.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
creative painting techniques illustration

Illustration: The Spruce / Theresa Chiechi

If you feel like your design has grown stale or outdated and could use a refresher, look no further than your walls. With the seemingly endless list of creative painting techniques available today, it’s easy to completely transform the look of your room without adding clutter via extra decor or encroaching on your square footage. The following ideas are all you’ll need to give any room in your home a fresh and inviting vibe, no matter your aesthetic leanings or style sensibilities.

  • 01 of 16

    Stencils

    stenciled wall

     Greg Natale

    DIY enthusiasts, this one’s for you. Wall stenciling is a simple and easy way to add sophistication and intrigue to your space without the cost of hiring a professional. All you need to do is order the stencil that strikes your fancy and spend an afternoon giving love to your walls. And if you're stuck for ideas, the internet is overflowing with stencil inspiration, including these designs from Royal Design Studio.

  • 02 of 16

    Harlequin

    harlequin wall

    Linda Ahman 

    The classic harlequin wall pattern will instantly add life and movement to your room design, and it can work just as well in the kitchen as it does in the primary bedroom or a nursery. Choose colors with subtle contrasts for a more sophisticated look, or opt for higher contrasts in bold hues, like this look from Linda Ahman, for a more vibrant and contemporary feel.

    About This Term: Primary Bedroom

    Many real estate associations, including the National Association of Home Builders, have classified the term "Master Bedroom" as discriminatory. "Primary Bedroom" is the name now widely used among the real estate community and better reflects the purpose of the room.


    Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome.

  • 03 of 16

    Metallics

    metallic wall

     Casa e Jardim

    For a truly show-stopping update, it doesn’t get much better than metallic paint. The beauty of this idea is that there are a million and one ways to apply it. You can paint your entire room a metallic hue to make a stylish statement, or you can apply metallic accents for a more layered look, like this space by Casa e Jardim.

  • 04 of 16

    Stripes

    striped accent wall

     Style Me Pretty

    Stripes are a timeless decor staple that will always look fresh and never go out of style. Plus, there are limitless ways to incorporate them. Thin, subtle stripes will add quiet texture and visual intrigue while big and bold contrasting stripes, like these from Style Me Pretty, add abundant visual flair.

    Continue to 5 of 16 below
  • 05 of 16

    Polka Dots

    polka dots

     The Homes I Have Made

    If you’re not incredibly DIY-inclined but are committed to updating your room on your own, then try adding some interior pizazz by way of polka dots. They couldn’t be easier to apply and they’ll instantly punch up any space they’re in. The unique dose of happy-making whimsy they add makes them especially well-suited for a child’s room, like this example from The Homes I Have Made.

  • 06 of 16

    Color Wash

    color wash

    Maria Vous 

    Color washing is a beautiful paint technique that adds texture and depth to a space. And it also happens to be fairly easy to apply. You’ll start by coating your walls with a satin base paint, then use a large brush to paint over it with a nice glaze. Whether you opt for a vibrant color-washed wall or a more neutral one, like this from Maria Vous, your room will most definitely be more dynamic.

  • 07 of 16

    Strié

    strie

     New England Home

    Strié, which is the French word for streaking, refers to a paint technique that creates horizontal or vertical lines for a look that resembles linen material. It’s a stunning way to add warmth and texture to your space, as evidenced by this vibrant look from New England Home, and it will blend seamlessly with any style sensibility.

  • 08 of 16

    Rag Rolling

    rag rolling

     How Did I Do It

    Rag rolling is just as it seems—it’s a painting technique that involves rolling a rag up and down wet, painted walls to add texture and depth, like this example from How Did I Do It. What’s particularly nice about this idea is that it’s subtle enough to be applied to any aesthetic without encroaching on the overall design.

    Continue to 9 of 16 below
  • 09 of 16

    Sponging

    sponging a wall

     The Family Handyman

    Sponging is another painting technique that’s just how it seems: It involves using a spongy paint roller or literal sponge to add dynamic texture, like this space from The Family Handyman. It’s quite easy to execute and doesn’t require any specific painting skill or expertise, so it’s a great project for the whole family to participate in.

  • 10 of 16

    Checkerboard

    checkerboard wall

     Classy Clutter

    Painting your walls with a checkerboard pattern will add plenty of life and style to your space while eliminating the need for added decor. Even better, there are infinite ways to do it. You can paint checkers in similar neutral colors for a subtle, textural effect. Or, you can make a stylish splash by opting for bold contrasts, like this space from Classy Clutter.

  • 11 of 16

    Decoupage

    Decoupage is typically associated with craft projects, where you cover a piece of furniture or a small decorative items in images you've sourced from magazines, books, and other paper goods. But you can also take this treatment to the walls. Try using a decoupage method, which uses glue and varnish to attach items to a surface, to decorate a wall with maps, vintage art book images, and more.

  • 12 of 16

    Gold Leafing

    You can add drama with a gold leaf wall, whether you choose to add random gold leafing throughout the space, giving it an ethereal effect, or you go all in on gold leaf. You can apply gold leafing to an entire wall, giving it a gilded, royal look that reads 1920s glamour or vintage opulence.

    Continue to 13 of 16 below
  • 13 of 16

    Half-Painted Walls

    Want to get the look of a chair railing and wainscoting, but with a fresh modern appeal and a lot less effort? Try a half-painted wall. It's exactly what it sounds like — you tape off a line going horizontally across the wall and paint half of it. The look is bold, geometric, and incredibly easy.

  • 14 of 16

    Feathering

    Feathering involves seamless blending one color into the next by gradually reducing the amount of pressure you're using on the brush. Think of it is a soft ombre that can blend two colors of paint together. This can ease the transition between colors or help disguise imperfections in a wall.

  • 15 of 16

    Ombré

    Think of the most stunning sunset you've ever seen. The colors seemed to fade into each other, creating a soft watercolor effect. That's basically what ombré is. It starts with the darkest color, then fades to the lightest, sometimes incorporating a second color that it then does a reverse fade into, meeting in the middle with the lightest shades.

  • 16 of 16

    Patterned Rolling

    When wallpaper seems like too much of a project, you can try a patterned paint roller. Imagine a stamp in a continuous rolling form. That's what a patterned paint roller is. It gives you the repeat of a wallpaper, but you're using paint rather than paper. There's definitely an art to it, since you need to keep the paint application consistent, but it can also be easier. If a roll doesn't work out, you can paint over and try again.

FAQ
  • Is it better to brush or roll paint onto a wall?

    It depends on the project you're tackling! If you're painting a small, precise space, like trim or molding, then a brush is better. However, if you are painting a large wall, then a roller will give you a more even look.

  • What is the most popular wall painting technique?

    Much like the perennially popular striped shirt, stripes on the wall are the most popular wall painting technique. Depending on color choice and contrast, they can look bold, quirky, classic, or subtle.

  • What is the most efficient way to paint your walls?

    If you want to paint a wall quickly, break out the roller. This will let you cover the most amount of area in the least amount of time.