Check out these brilliant faux painting techniques DIYers can use on a variety of different surfaces. These tips will save you a bundle over the real thing.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
One of the easiest and most impactful ways to update a wall is to paint it with a faux painting technique. And you can take it up another notch by adding a decorative faux marble finish. While it looks difficult, it’s actually quite basic-you just need some paint, a handful of tools and a smidgen of patience. The following steps will show you how to paint faux Carrara marble.
Dual-roller decorative painting systems can create unique color and texture effects on your walls in a fraction of the time required by more traditional methods. Do-it-yourself painting systems, can get you darn close to the high-priced expert effects. Here’s how they work.
No painting needed for this accent wall. You can transform any room with a stunning stone accent wall like this. Modern materials and methods allow you to create the look of a traditional stone wall with a fraction of the work. While you’re it, learn how to create a paint that looks like wood.
I’ve found that using gun bluing gives off-the-shelf hardware an attractive, aged patina. Simply dip nuts, bolts, washers or other hardware in a cup of gun bluing. When the hardware turns black, rinse it with clean water and dry it with a paper towel. Be sure to wear rubber gloves and eye protection. — Matt Boley
Montana Marble Effect Spray incorporates fine paint strands for a deceptively realistic marble effect, making it one of our favorite faux painting techniques. It can be applied on many different materials such as paper, wood, glass, metal and other paintable surfaces. The can features a special calligraphy cap that can be adjusted to create a variety of different lines and the paint can be top-coated once thoroughly dry.
Make a simple spray painting booth to keep paint where it belongs.
Whether you’re creating a rustic interior or adding aged wood accents to a modern decorating scheme, barn wood is a popular choice. And the good news is you don’t have to pick through piles of splintery old lumber or pay exorbitant prices for the look of barn wood. You can easily transform inexpensive pine boards into rustic boards that are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. We’ll give you a recipe for creating your own barn wood. The 8-ft. 1×6 boards we used for creating our authentic-looking “aged barn wood” cost about $4 each.
The Giani Wood Look Paint Kit is a simple, two-step application that will transform smooth, embossed, flat or raised panel doors in just three hours.
Ideal for use on painted steel or wood garage doors of any color, there is no need to prime prior to applying Giani Wood Look. The system contains a Wood Tone Base Coat that will cover most existing colors in a single application, and our specially formulated Wood Grain Finish Coat that completes the wood look transformation.
Want a brick or stone accent wall without the commitment and hassle of masonry? Try this DIY faux brick accent wall you can create in one day with interior house paint and a few supplies.
For a soft, contemporary look and feel to your faux-finished walls, consider replicating the look of concrete. In a nutshell, this faux painting technique involves random yet strategic incorporations of white, grey, and black paint and glazing with a 9-inch plaster blade. Here are 15 of the best accent wall ideas for your home.
Use the Green Patina Aging Solution to speed up the oxidation process to create a beautiful, authentic green patina finish on any paintable surface, thanks to a two-part paint application. The base paint contains copper bits, so any item can have this rich look. And oxidizer turns the paint the color of patinated copper.
Yes, especially for simpler techniques like sponging or rag rolling.
“That said, if you’re envisioning a more intricate design or need a flawless, high-end finish, hiring a professional can save you a lot of time and frustration,” says handyman Andriy Boyko. “Think about your confidence level and the scale of your project. A small accent wall? Go for it. A full room with layered textures? Maybe call in a pro.
It depends on factors like how high-traffic of an area its in, or if it’s in a space with high moisture, but if a faux-painted finish is done right and well cared for, it could last for years, sometimes even decades.
“The trick lies in using good-quality paints and sealants to protect the surface,” says Margulis. “After some time, normal wear and tear may mellow down the finish, but usually, a little touch-up does the magic.”
Properly preparing the area and then sealing it after painting is so important that it decreases failure rates by about 70%, says Joseph Passalacqua, owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service. “Even microscopic dirt or oils can prevent proper adhesion,” he says. “When we deep clean walls before a faux finishing project, the success rate increases dramatically.”
Proper cleaning after-the-fact will also go a long way toward helping faux finishes last, he says. “The key is using pH-neutral cleaners and avoiding abrasive tools,” he says. “We had one client’s faux marble finish maintain its luster for over a decade using our gentle cleaning protocol.”
