How to Get Started Faux Painting

Forget plain painted walls. Using tools you may already have at home, you can turn a room into a masterpiece with faux painting techniques that are easy for anyone to learn. But before you pick up your sponge, rag, brush or another tool of choice, you need to prepare the area for painting and keep a few tips in mind as you work. Read on to learn how to get started faux painting.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Use a drop cloth or newspaper to protect the floor. You may be the most careful painter in the world, but spills happen to the best of us.

2. Wipe your baseboards with a damp cloth before you begin the faux painting project. Make sure you wipe the horizontal edge of the baseboard where the dust collects.

3. Prepare the baseboards by taping them off completely for protection from spills and drips. Again, make sure you dust those baseboards so the painter's tape will adhere.

4. Decide whether you're going to tape around your outlet covers and switch plates or remove them completely. Unscrewing them from the wall may actually save you time and give you a more professionally finished look.

5. Keep a clean rag handy to wipe up spills while painting.

6. Pay attention to areas that you've already painted to watch for drips. Get to runny areas immediately with a cloth, so that you don't have a bigger problem later.

Resources

• The Expert Village website shows how to prepare for faux painting.
• The Home Institute website describes faux techniques.
• The BHG website explores four faux painting projects.