How to Add Texture With Paint

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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If you're looking for a way to spice up your plain walls, adding texture to paint is one way to do that. In actuality, however, you'll just be adding the illusion of texture. Techniques can vary, but different looks can be achieved by altering the same basic idea.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Choose two colors for your wall. One is a base color and the other should be slightly lighter than the first. Bring home samples from home improvement stores and see what they look like with both the natural and artificial light sources in your home at different times of the day.

Step2

Apply the base coat. Use a primer or a second or third coat if necessary. The base coat should be done with the same quality as it would be if it were going to be the only paint color. Allow the base coat to dry completely.

Step3

Add the textured coat of paint. Here is where you have an almost endless variety of choices. You can use diluted paint, paint with a different finish--like a gloss paint on top of satin, add grainy textures to your paint, apply it with a different texture of roller, apply it with a rag, apply it with different types of sponges, mask of areas to make lines or apply with a dry brush. Often times, more than one variation can be used.

Step4

Experiment with technique until you get the result you want. Short strokes, long strokes, twirly stokes, blotting and wiping are all different ways to go about putting texture on your walls.