How to Paint Your Room Like a Rainbow

Bring the beauty of a rainbow indoors.

Whether you are entertaining a child's whim or livening up a bedroom, painting a room like a rainbow can bring joy and delight to all who enter. The seven traditional colors of the rainbow -- red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet -- can provide a backdrop for a variety of themes and designs. Consider painting a traditional rainbow on one of the walls or striping one or more walls in the colors of the rainbow. Of course, you may come up with your own fresh idea. Use your imagination. You have a rainbow of colors with which to work.

Things You'll Need

• One gallon water
• 1 tbsp. dish soap
• Clean cloth or sponge
• Drop cloth
• Spackling compound
• Spackling knife
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Primer
• Paint roller
• Pencil
• Paint
• Paintbrushes
• Paint tray
• Paint tray liner
• Painter's tape

Instructions

1. Clean the walls. Mix 1 tbsp. dish soap with 1 gallon warm water. Use a sponge or cloth to wipe down the walls with the water and soap mixture. Allow walls to dry before continuing.

2. Use a spackling compound to patch holes and imperfections. Place an appropriate amount of spackling compound, depending on the size of the imperfection, on the spackling knife. Use the knife to apply the compound to the crack or hole. Run the edge of the knife against the wall to remove excess spackling. Allow the compound to dry according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Use fine-grit sandpaper to remove excess compound and smooth the area.

3. Lay a drop cloth on both the flooring and the furniture to protect them from paint spatters.

4. Apply primer, using a paint roller, to prepare the walls for a fresh coat of paint. Cover the wall evenly. Allow the primer to dry completely before proceeding. Use two coats of primer if necessary.

5. Go to a home-improvement or paint store and purchase the colors you want to include in your rainbow. Buy any other colors you plan to have in a mural.

6. Draw the design on the wall, using a pencil. Decide if you want to go for a traditional rainbow or change things up a bit. Consider painting stripes on one or more walls, using the various colors of the rainbow. Make additions to your rainbow, such as grass or a pot of gold.

7. Use painter's tape to outline each colored section. Those with steady hands may find that they can paint the design without using tape.

8. Paint one color at a time. Allow each layer of paint to dry before moving on. Repeat with the next color and continue until you have completed your design.

References

• The National Center for Atmospheric Research & the UCAR Office Of Programs: About Rainbows
• Move: Preparing Walls for Painting