March Maintenance Madness

A Wall Makeover

written by rebecca poole

If you want to change the interior of your home but you’re unsure of which path to take, consider painting your walls—and adding some texture to them while you’re at it. Any of these three methods could be just what your home needs.

Note: The amount of paint needed for all methods should be based on the size of your wall. Be sure to properly prep your wall for painting, and take the time to tape and cover any surfaces that you don't want to be painted.

Dragging Technique


Materials
  • Paint
  • Paint stir stick
  • Paint tray
  • Paintbrush, 2" or larger
  • Ladder
  • Corn whisk broom
  • Paper towels


  1. Start by thoroughly mixing the paint.
  2. Begin in one of the top corners, and apply a thick coat of paint using the paintbrush. Work your way from the top of the wall down until you paint a surface that is a bit wider than the width of your broom.
  3. As soon as there is a strip painted wide enough, take the broom and fan out the bristles a bit. Push the broom against the top of the wall, and pull downward while applying pressure to the broom until you’ve hit the bottom of the wall.
  4. Repeat the same process throughout the entire wall. When there is too much paint on the broom, use a paper towel to wipe it off. (It is important to keep taking the excess paint off or the lines won’t be as defined and consistent throughout.)
    5. Tip: This process requires you to either move quickly in smaller sections or have two people: the first person painting and the second following with the broom before the paint dries.

Sponge Technique


Materials:
  • Base paint
  • Paint stir sticks
  • Paint tray
  • Paint roller
  • Ladder
  • Top-layer paint
  • Sea sponge (a variety of sponges will allow for more textures)
  • Container with water


  1. Mix the base paint well, and pour into the paint tray.
  2. Paint the wall, and allow to completely dry.
  3. Mix the top-layer paint well. Soak the sponge in water, and squeeze out all of the water. Repeat this a few times to make sure the sponge is damp.
  4. Lightly dip the sponge into the paint. Work in a small area, and start stamping the sponge around. Make sure to differentiate where you apply the paint, as to not create a pattern.
  5. Rinse the sponge out again, and make sure you drain all the water. This time, dip a different part of the sponge into the paint to start creating a different texture. If you are using multiple sponges, make sure that you are rotating throughout the wall so the end product looks even.
  6. After you finish stamping the wall, let it dry a bit, and then look to see if there are any uneven gaps. You can always go back in and add some more paint, if needed.

Rag Technique


Materials
  • Base paint
  • Paint stir stick
  • Paint tray
  • Paint roller
  • Ladder
  • White paint
  • Terry or cotton rags
  • Water, as needed


  1. Mix base paint well, and pour into a paint tray.
  2. Paint the wall, and allow to completely dry.
  3. Pour some more base paint into your paint tray, and mix in a desired amount of white paint to lighten up the color. Make sure there is enough color difference between the base and the newly mixed color.
  4. Soak a rag in water, and squeeze out all of the water. Randomly bundle the rag in your hand, and lightly dip it into the paint. Since the rag will take in paint easily, you can use the side of the paint tray to dab off some of the color.
  5. After the paint completely dries, make an even lighter batch of paint, and repeat the same process with a new rag.
    Tip: If at any point your rag gets too saturated with paint, simply use a new rag. Don’t worry that the water is dirty from the paint.

Encourage friends and family to texturize the walls of their homes by sharing these simple DIY ideas.

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Posted in March 2019 on Feb 04, 2019