Specialty Painting Techniques 101

There have been some interesting trends in interior house painting the last few years. Many homeowners have chosen to use some unique methods for a more decorative touch. Color has always been one of the main design elements used for personal expression, but modern trends have also begun to embrace a variety of painting techniques that can add dimension, depth and texture to a room. Here are a few of the most recent specialty painting trends.

Creating Breathtaking Rooms with Faux Paint Finishes

Stencil Painting

Stenciling is perhaps one of the easiest ways to create a faux finish. A pre-cut design is placed on the wall and then it is painted over. Once the stencil is removed, the cut-out leaves the desired decorative design on the wall. There are many stencils available through arts and crafts stores and painting companies, or you can make your own design for an original touch. Stencils are typically used for accent walls but may be used to add a decorative element to any room of the house.

Strie Painting

Painting companies have used the strie method for many years to achieve a unique design. You can use any color combination suitable to your taste. A base coat is applied to the wall and then a glaze of another color is applied on top. By dragging a bristled paint brush through the top layer, the base color will bleed through. This offers a nice textured and layered touch so the wall looks as if it is covered in fabric or wall covering.

Sponge Painting

Sponging is a technique used to provide texture and depth to walls. It can also provide a delicate look. It is important to prepare the walls appropriately in order to ensure you get the desired results.  Interior home painters use a dampened sponge to blot a glaze mixture on the wall. This technique can offer a stunning effect the designer can personalize. For instance, to achieve a more subtle texture, use colors with little contrast and apply less glaze with the sponge so the base color is allowed to show through more. To achieve a bolder texture, use colors in sharp contrast to one another and apply the glaze sparsely. You can also choose any color combination in between to achieve the desired effect.

Lined Painting

Another great way to create interest in your walls is to create subtle lines in the paint scheme. Interior painting contractors recommend using a layer of white, followed by a layer of a pale color, such as green or beige. Once you apply the colored paint, draw a graining comb from the ceiling down to the floor. Repeat this process across the room, creating subtle lines about two inches apart.

Striped Painting

If you want something a little bolder, interior painting in stripes can be the best option. To start, ask your interior painting contractors to help you choose two complementary colors. The next step is to tape off the stripes at the desired width. Use a level and measuring tape to ensure the lines are straight. You can then paint one color inside every other set of tape. Once that shade dries, you can remove the tape on the first color and add the second color.

Rag Painting

Similar to sponge painting, your interior painting contractors can use rag painting. The process is the same, except instead of a natural sponge, painters wrap a cloth loosely gathered into a ball and dip that into the paint to apply it to the wall. This process can also be used on wet paint with a dry cloth to remove paint from the wall.

Looking for something uniquely you? Contact us to speak to our Connecticut interior home painters to explore a variety of painting techniques.