Take time to decide on your accent wall paint color.
Painting an accent wall can instantly update a room. If you are looking to add a splash of color to your living-dining room, this process is fairly inexpensive and straightforward. It is a great way to bring together different colors and designs in the room for a more cohesive finish. The most difficult part is deciding what color to go for, because there is such an extensive range of options available.
Instructions
1. Choose the wall that you are going to paint in the accent color. In a living-dining room, this may be the wall with a feature such as a fireplace mantel or TV, or the wall that is directly opposite the dinner table.
2. Pick up a selection of paint color sample pots from your local home improvement store. Choose colors that will compliment the existing furnishings in your living-dining room.
3. Paint small sections of your accent wall in different colors and allow them to dry to let you see how each color looks in the light of the room and against the other decor colors. Choose a color that matches the other walls of the room. If you like the color of the other walls, go for the same one but in a darker shade -- at least two shades darker to provide a sufficient contrast.
4. Purchase your paint. As a general rule it is best if accent wall paint matches the paint on the other walls in terms of sheen. Various types of sheen are available, including matte, satin, gloss and semi-gloss. When it comes to quantity, remember that 1 gallon of paint should be enough to paint approximately 350 square feet. Buying a tinted primer to apply before your color can reduce the need for multiple coats.
5. Use drop cloths to cover the floor and furniture around the accent wall.
6. Wash your accent wall with warm, soapy water to remove all dust and grime and prepare it for painting. Fill any small holes with spackle.
7. Fix painter's tape to the edges of the adjoining walls and over the baseboard to ensure straight lines.
8. Immerse your roller or brush in the paint, ensuring that it is not too thick. What you use is down to personal preference; many people find it easier to cover large sections of a wall with a roller. If you are using a roller, you will need to tip some of your paint into a paint tray. If you are using a brush, tap it gently on the inside of the paint can to get rid of excess paint and reduce dripping.
9. Apply your first layer of paint using even strokes in one directions.
10. Paint edges carefully with a small angled brush.
11. Leave the paint to dry before applying a second coat if required.
12. Take off the painter's tape and inspect for any areas that need to be touched up.
Tags: accent wall, your accent, your accent wall, accent wall, living-dining room