How to Paint Gradients on a Wall
A small dark room can be a challenge for the do-it-yourself decorator. Whether you're redecorating an office, playroom or bedroom, paint can change the entire character of a room. One way to lighten a room is by painting it in graduated shades of color. Moving upward from dark to light in horizontal bands around the room, this graduated color scheme both expands and lightens the room. You should be able to easily complete this painting project in one weekend. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 3-foot-long level
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- 2-inch-wide painter's tape
- Plastic sheeting or drop cloth
- 1 quart ceiling paint
- 3 gallons paint, eggshell or satin finish
- 2 paint cans, empty
- 1 quart baseboard paint
- Paintbrush
- Roller on a pole
- Artist's paintbrush, small
- Fan
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
- Ladder
Instructions
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Prepare the Room
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1
Choose the paint color. Shades of yellow, extending downward from a soft butter to a yellow or butterscotch base, can provide a bright sunlit appearance for a playroom or office. However, a bedroom may be a more soothing space with graduated shades of blue, green or purple.
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2
Go to the paint store and select a variety of paint chips in the desired color. The triple chips are best, displaying three graduated shades from light to dark. Tape the chips to the wall and look at them for a few days. Once you have decided on the color, go back and purchase the three colors on the paint chip you selected.
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3
Measure the height of the room from the ceiling down to the top of the baseboards.
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4
Determine the width of the horizontal stripes by dividing the distance between the floor and baseboards by five. If the room has a standard 8-foot ceiling and 3-inch baseboards, the stripes will be approximately 18.6 inches in width. However, you may prefer to adjust the width of the stripes to accommodate the distance between the tops of windows and door frames and the ceiling or to avoid lining up with the top of a wardrobe or headboard.
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5
Mark the stripes with a pencil. Next, work your way around the room with a long level, penciling the stripe onto the wall.
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6
Mask the stripes with painter's tape, starting at the ceiling. Place the tape so the top edge touches the pencil lines, making sure that the tape is level. Mask the baseboards and cover the flooring with plastic sheeting or a drop cloth. Also mask the trim around the doors and windows.
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7
Label each paint can from light to dark, "1," "3" and "5." Open cans 1 and 3. Pour one-quarter of the paint from each can into one empty can. Mix well, seal and label it "2." Repeat with cans 3 and 5, pouring them into the second empty can. Label this can "4."
Paint
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8
Paint the edge of the wall where it meets the ceiling with a very light coat of the white ceiling paint. This seals the edge of the tape, making a clean line when the tape is removed. Allow this coat to dry completely.
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9
Paint the first stripe with can number 1. Roll the paint on, using a brush in corners and around edges. Allow this stripe to dry completely, and then remove the painter's tape. Apply painter's tape to the bottom edge of the stripe. Line the bottom edge of the tape with the new paint line. Using a paintbrush, lightly paint over the edge of the tape with paint from can number 1, feathering the paint downward and sealing the edge. Allow this coat to dry.
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10
Paint the second stripe with paint can number 2. Repeat the process as described in Step 2. Continue painting the stripes, light to dark, until the last stripe. Stop and proceed to Step 4.
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11
Paint the baseboards before you paint the last stripe. When the baseboards are completely dry, mask them with painter's tape. Using a paint brush, lightly feather a coat of paint over the edge of the tape, sealing it to the wall. Allow the paint to dry completely, and then paint the last stripe with paint can number 5.
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12
Remove all the painter's tape when the stripes are dry. Touch up as needed with an artist's paintbrush.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Generally, decorating incorporates odd numbers --- for example, three vases instead of four, or five stripes instead of six.
The paint store can mix the midtone colors 2 and 4, if you prefer.
Adjust the width of the stripes to suit your own aesthetics.
If you prefer a cozy room, consider painting the ceiling and top stripe the darkest color. However, work from light to dark when actually painting the room.
It is possible to blend the wet paint where the stripes meet. Instead of masking, simply overlap the stripes slightly and use a wet sponge or paintbrush to blend the edges.
If covering a dark wall color, first paint the entire room with primer tinted to the lightest shade.
Open windows and use a fan when painting. Paint fumes can be overwhelming in a closed space.
Use safety equipment such as safety glasses, gloves and a ladder.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
