How to Graffiti My Room

Graffiti lends a bold design statement to a room.

Graffiti is traditionally done on outdoor walls; when used inside, it can add a contemporary, bold feeling. Depending on the look you want to create, you can graffiti an entire room, a single wall or a small section. Graffiti can work with any design scheme. It can be edgy or soft, bold or understated, based on the style and the colors you use. Because graffiti is a big design choice, make a sketch before you start so you can get an idea of how big it should be and which colors to use.

Things You'll Need

• Painter's tape
• Spray paint

Instructions

1. Prepare the room to protect the unpainted surfaces. Push all of the furniture to the center or move it out completely. Cover the floors with drop cloths or plastic. Tape the edges of the graffiti area with painter's tape; because you will be using spray paint, use very wide tape or several layers to avoid over spray.

2. Use spray paint to create a color base for your graffiti design. This will serve as the background area. The spray paint will create a slightly uneven covering, which will add to the atmosphere. If you have a scene in mind, use the background as the wall color: a sunset, for example, might incorporate stripes of oranges and yellows. Don't be afraid to go with a bold color.

3. Sketch out your graffiti design on the wall using a pencil after the base layer dries. Because graffiti is about artistic freedom, don't worry about drawing in the entire design. Sketch a very basic framework that will serve as a guide for the big features of your graffiti art. You might use a photo as inspiration.

4. Use spray paint to fill in the design. Start with the major structure of the picture and add details as you go. Feel free to experiment and cover mistakes; the additional layers will give the room texture. Try painting with thin layers of different-colored paint to create different visual effects. You can also spray into a screen or stencil for varied paint styles.

5. Finish the design and cover any rough areas with long, smooth lines. With bold strokes, you can recreate the look of outdoor graffiti that is done quickly and decisively. Add any final details and let dry completely before moving your furniture back in.

References

• Art of Graffiti: Inspiration
• Best Athens Hotels: Classical Baby Grand Hotel - Graffiti Room