5 Easy Steps to Painting an Accent Wall

Painting a room in a bold color can be a bold move, especially if you are accustomed to white walls. A great way to start is by painting just one home accents wall. You can see how the color fits into your living space and influences the mood of the room. If you like it, go ahead and paint more walls.

Photo by: Jennifer Peters-Lise

Ready to Dive into one of the most Inexpensive, Do-It-Yourself Projects? Follow these 5 Easy Steps.

1. Select a Wall to Paint – This wall will become the focal point of your Louisville apartment. You might want to match this wall to an adjacent room or match it to a special piece of artwork or fabric in the room. Once this wall is painted, all attention will be drawn to it, so choose carefully.

2. Buy your Paint – Choose the color, sheen and amount of paint you’ll need for your accent wall. When choosing from a wide variety of paint colors, keep in mind that a neutral color has a subtle effect while a bright color adds drama. The sheen ranges from flat to high gloss. Select a sheen based on the lighting, type of room you’re painting and type of sheen that’s on nearby walls. Measure your walls and take your measurements to your local home improvement store for guidance on how much paint to buy. Don’t forget to buy your primer, paint brushes, roller, pan, spackle, painter’s tape and drop cloths.

Photo by: Roger Mommaerts

3. Get the Room Ready – Cover all of your furniture and floors with tarp, drop cloths or old sheets. Spackle and sand down any holes or rough surfaces. Gently wash the wall surface with water and mild detergent such as dish soap. Take off outlet covers and light switch covers. Remove curtains or window blinds from the area. Cover any fine edges with painter’s tape in case your hand isn’t steady when painting those small places.

4. Apply Primer – Putting primer on before painting walls is not mandatory but it will help the paint wear better. If your walls have stains on them or have a dark color paint, it may be necessary to cover the wall with primer.

5. Start Painting – You can paint with a roller brush, a paint brush or both. A second coat is optional and generally necessary for dark colors. For best results, let the paint dry in between coats.

Photo by: Dan Budiac

What Next?

After your hand painted wall dries, use your own unique home decor, like decorative accent pieces and wall accessories, to finish the project.

Related Websites

How to Use Bold Color in a Bedroom
Advice on Paints
Accent Wall Painting Ideas

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