How to Design a Geometric Wall Painting

Use paintings like Piet Mondrian's "Composition II in Red, Blue and Yellow" to inspire geometric patterns and color variations for your design.

If you are on a budget, purchasing canvas art may not be an option. You can design your own geometric wall art to save money or simply to add an unexpected, contemporary element to your décor. Designing and creating your own interior mural can bring a room together, add flair and even give you bragging rights.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler and measuring tape or laser level
• Pencil
• Blue tape or other low-tack painter's tape
• Latex or flat interior wall paint
• Paint tray
• Interior paintbrush

Instructions

Instructions

1. Sketch your idea on paper. Look through design magazines and websites for ideas (see Resources at the end of this article). If the wall or ceiling is built at an angle or includes geometric features, use them as inspiration for your design.

2. Choose your colors. If you are completely redecorating, furnishings included, you may already have a set color scheme. If not, look at the dominant colors and undertones in the surrounding décor. Stick to those colors and a few complementary colors, trying not to use more than five shades in your art.

3. Prepare the surface. If there are any obstacles, such as hardware in the wall, remove and spackle over any holes or surface irregularities before laying the painter's tape. Use a ruler, measuring tape and pencil, or a laser level, to mark out the area where you will place the tape. If you have used spackle, ensure that it is dry and apply tape to mark out the areas for painting.

4. Apply the paint one color at a time. Rinse the paintbrush thoroughly before moving on to another color. If your design calls for overlapping areas of paint, allow the bottom paint layer to dry completely before applying paint to the next color area.

5. Remove the tape while the paint is still wet. Allow the paint to dry completely, about 24 hours. Reassess the design, and have paint and brushes handy in case any touch-ups are needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Create templates from cardboard for difficult-to-measure shapes, such as circles. For doughnut shapes, trace two circles onto cardboard using a plate or cup, one larger and one smaller, with one inside the other, and cut out the shape with an X-Acto or craft knife. Affix the template to the wall with double-sided tape before painting, using caution when painting around the edges. Alternate gloss- and matte-finish paints to add interest to your design.

References

• CityLine: Geometric Wall Technique
• Dana Marie Design Co.: Geometric Bath

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Fine Art America: Geometric Design Paintings
• Apartment Therapy: Geometric Wall Painting
• HK Art Projects