How to Faux Paint Walls

Faux painting is a painting technique that creates an illusion of different textures to walls inside your home. A sponge technique is an easy as painting interior walls using: sea sponge and two different toned colors of paint. By applying the two different colors of paint, using the sponge technique, you will achieve a color washed effect.

Things You'll Need

• Paint brushes
• Solid Paint
• Acrylic paint for faux finish
• Large plastic sheet for the floor
• Extra rag for messy cleanup

Instructions

1. Pick and buy your water-based, solid color of paint. You also want to buy the same finish for your second color of paint. This will just be a darker color of paint, either using interior satin or semi-gloss.

2. Have all your painting supplies ready for when you will need them. You may want to organize your supplies in a single room or workspace before you begin.

3. Cover any furniture with painting plastic or sheets.

4. Use tape around any part of living room that does not require painting.

5. Find a sample area to practice your sponge painting. This will help you do a perfect painting job once you start on the living rooms. An old flat box is a perfect sample area. Practice till you have the desired effect. You will use this as your sample.

6. Apply base paint to the box. Let it dry.

7. Use sea sponge to apply second darker color of paint to the sample box.

8. Use sample method on the box to help create the desired look for interior walls.

9. Create a smooth service on your interior walls, by filling in any holes with spackling compound as needed. Let this dry according to the manufacturer's directions.

10. Use a primer on the smooth walls, such as Zinsser primer. Let it dry.

11. Start with the lighter color of paint (the base). Apply one coat to the wall.

12. Allow this paint to dry for several hours. It should not be sticky to the touch.

13. Dip your sponge in the darker paint color to give a two-toned abstract effect, as this will create the sponge technique.

14. Apply the sea sponge to the wall, pressing gently onto the base paint. Repeat until the wall or area is completed with your desired effect. Depending on the amount of paint on the sponge and the frequency with which you apply the sponge to the wall, you may have a light or dark faux finish. It's easiest to apply the sponge lightly at first and go back over the area to make it darker later.

15. Let the paint dry.