How to Sponge Paint a Ceiling

Sponge painting your ceiling is a technique that lets you add depth and color to your decor and helps you avoid an unfinished appearance sometimes associated with white ceilings. Sponge paint using the technique that works best for your decor. You can go for full coverage or allow other colors to shine through.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drop cloths
• Ladder
• Painter's tape
• Paint
• Paint tray
• Paint roller
• Sea sponge
• Paint glaze

1. Lay down drop cloth to protect your floors and any furniture you were unable to remove from the room.

2. Tape off the walls to prevent drips, splatters or accidental applications of paint.

3. Paint the ceiling with your base coat of paint. In most instances, this color is either a few shades lighter or a few shades darker than the color you use for the sponge paint technique. Allow the base coat to dry before you continue.

4. Mix glaze into the paint you're using for your second coat, the one you'll apply with a sponge. Stir it well.

5. Apply the second coat with either a dabbing motion or a circular motion. Stop frequently and step back to view the sponge paint technique you've applied. Have a damp cloth handy to wipe away any unattractive sponging.

6. Continue to apply the glaze and paint mixture until the ceiling is covered. You can add more paint if you feel you've applied too much of the glaze mixture.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice on a scrap piece of lumber to determine how much glaze you want to add to the paint and how many coats of your sponge paint technique you need to apply to achieve your ideal finished product.
• Always use caution when working on a ladder.
• Take frequent breaks to avoid straining your neck and arm while you paint.