Interior Painting Techniques

Create a new look for your walls with one of our simple interior painting techniques, like this plaster technique. Mix up wall plaster according to package directions, and smooth on the wall. Don't create too smooth a surface, however, since you want to create the textured, old-world look. After the plaster has dried completely, you can apply your chosen paint color.

Create bold, horizontal stripes with colors that pop, like this brilliant green wall and accents of brown and beige. Use paint tape to block off the area you want to stripe. Wait till paint is completely dry before pulling off the paint tape and adding the stripes.

Create the look of marble with this faux marbling technique. There are numerous faux marbling kits on the market. Typically, you'll begin with a base coat, then add color in a variety of shades, including glazes. For additional marble-like accents, you can apply alternating colors with a feather or a soft cloth. Textured walls can add depth and visual interest to a room with relatively little expense.

Create a faux stone texture by applying plaster and several shades of paint, deepening or lightening the color depending upon the paint color you choose. Interior painting techniques like this one create a brownstone appearance.

If you love the look of cracked or crackled paint, there are simple kits available at home improvement and paint stores. This textured paint style looks great on walls and furniture, and it's hard to make a mistake when you apply it!

One of the simplest painting techniques is sponge painting. You'll need a couple of large sponges, as well as a smaller sponge to use on those hard to reach places and corners. Start with a darker shade as a base coat, then add one or two lighter shades one on top of the other by applying the sponge sporadically over the wall. Start out lightly, then go back and fill in until you get the look you want.

Bag or rag rolling is just as simple as sponge painting. All you need is a couple of different shades of paint and several grocery store bags or rags. Once your base coat has dried, dip the plastic bag in the paint, and roll it across the wall to create a textured look. If you want a smoother appearance, use a rag instead of a plastic bag.

Color-washed walls are created using a stippling brush. Apply your base coat, then using a stippling brush, lightly tap the walls with paint, reapplying more paint to the brush as needed.

For more ideas, see this slideshow gallery of faux painting techniques.