Decorative Painting Ideas

Using different painting techniques for your house can give it a very stylish and chic look. Decorative painting techniques are great for people who like to experiment and who like to make a statement. There are many different decorative painting ideas that you can choose from and they are increasingly becoming more popular with homeowners who want something different. Here we will discuss some of the most popular and easy decorative wall painting ideas and decorative furniture painting ideas.

Faux Painting Ideas for Walls

Sponge Painting
In this technique a base paint is first applied to the walls and another color in a different shade complementing the first color is applied. A sponge is then used over the wet paint to create different patterns. Sponge painting is one of the easiest painting techniques and you can never go wrong with it. One of the advantage of this decorative painting technique is that you can use it to conceal a wall that has an uneven finish and also it is great for creating texture and depth. Before attempting to do sponge painting on an entire wall first try it out on a small section of the wall to see if the colors you have chosen are complementary or not. To sponge paint a wall you need to apply a base coat on your walls which has a semi gloss finish. Using a damp sponge, dip it in the second color of your choice and wipe out the excess. Start by applying the sponge on the corner of the wall and roll the sponge in a semicircular way. When the paint is exhausted dip the sponge back into the color and continue sponging the whole wall. Make sure that you are consistent with the way you roll the sponge to get an even finish.

Stripes on Walls
Stripes on walls is also one of the best decorative painting ideas, particularly for a big room or a kids nursery room. To get this effect first you have to apply a base coat of paint and let it dry. Using a tape measure and a level carefully draw straight lines all through the walls to mark the stripes. Now place the tape on the portion of the stripes that you won't be painting and seal it with a dry cloth so that the paint does not seep in from underneath the paint. Now apply the color of your choice all along the wall and also over the tape. Pull the tape off after the wall has dried and you will be left with a beautiful striped effect on your wall.

Stippling and Marbling
Stippling and marbling are a great way to add drama and depth and dimension to a room. First you need to paint the walls in a base coat with the help of rollers. Allow the base coat to dry and then pour the glaze out on a roller pan. Apply a thin layer of this glaze on the dried wall. Now with the help of a stipple brush smudge the glaze in a random pattern. Continue in this way until you have covered the entire wall.

Creative Painting Ideas for Furniture

To decorate any plain piece of furniture the first thing that you should do is sand your piece of furniture thoroughly to remove all traces of previous paint. Always make sure that you sand along the grain to avoid damaging the wood. Once you have finished, rub the entire piece with a muslin cloth to remove any debris. Now use a good quality wood stain and apply it with a paintbrush and let dry. Paint the piece in the color of your choice and let it dry overnight. Sand the piece again lightly, and apply a second coat of paint and allow it to dry. Decorate the painted surface with a different color paint. You can also use stencils to create different patterns like seashells, clouds and half moons. After you are done painting, apply a final coat of varnish to give it a good finish.

These decorative painting techniques are very great option if you are trying to revamp your old furniture. If you are creatively inclined you can do these at home by the techniques of sponging, stenciling and graining.