How to Paint Denim Walls
A simple way to add interest to your walls is by creating faux finish textures using paint, glazes, and simple tools. A popular finish is denim, which is accomplished with one or two steps more than a coat of paint. In this faux finish, you will apply a base coat, and then a glaze, to which you will add texture. When selecting the color for your base coat, keep in mind that this will be visible beneath your denim treatment, so select a subtle shade of white or off white (or other neutral color depending on your preference). Denim glaze and the "check roller" used in adding texture to your denim walls (as well as the wallpaper brush) can all be found at most hardware or paint stores. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Painter's tape
- Drop cloth (canvas or plastic)
- Paint tray
- Paint roller
- Base coat paint (satin finish)
- Denim glaze
- Wallpaper brush
- Check roller
Instructions
-
-
1
Using painter's tape, cover trim around ceilings, doors and windows. Take care that you attach the tape to the trim and not to the wall. Protect floors with drop cloths as necessary.
-
2
Pour enough of the base coat paint into your paint tray so that it covers the bottom and fills the well to the slope. Using the paint roller, apply to your walls with a steady up and down stroke. Using your paint brush, apply the base coat to the areas that you were unable to reach around the doors, windows, and ceiling. Allow the base coat to dry completely before proceeding to the next step. Depending on the undercoat, it may be necessary to apply a second coat. Assess this once the base coat has fully dried.
-
-
3
Pour the denim glaze into a clean, dry paint tray. Working in small sections, apply the denim glaze to the wall with a clean, dry paint roller, painting in the same up down motion used when applying the base coat.
-
4
Brush the wall in an up/down motion with the wallpaper brush while the paint is still wet, and then in a side to side motion to create the "denim" pattern. Work in small sections only, and work your way around the room in this manner, until you have finished. When working with corners and edges, work from the edge out for the cleanest edge possible.
-
5
Roll the check roller over the paint before the glaze has had a chance to dry. Press the roller firmly, and roll from top to bottom to create a weathered effect. When rolling, do not lift the roller until you have completed the strip that you are working with, as this will interrupt your pattern. (If you are satisfied with the texture of the brush only, you may omit this step, as it is a matter of personal preference.) Allow the paint/glaze to dry completely before removing tape.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
When choosing a glaze, choose a light color that complements your denim glaze. Finish painting and texturizing each wall before moving to the next to ensure even results.
Work slowly and carefully when applying your glaze; do-overs will be difficult and time consuming! Take care to adequately ventilate your room by opening windows and doors while painting.
