Cool Wall Painting Techniques

These patterned painted walls have all the charisma of wallpapered ones—but for a fraction of the cost. If these walls could talk, they'd be the life of the party! These cheerful, patterned painted walls have all the charisma of wallpapered ones—but for a fraction of the cost.

Black Print
Get this handprinted look with way less work
Skill level : Beginner. You just stamp
Start 6 inches below the ceiling and run 3 pieces of tape across the wall one right below another. Mark along the top tape every 6 inches. Load stamp with paint rolled out on board. Stamp above tape at each mark. Move top 2 tape strips below the third. Stamp above tape, between leaf prints above. Repeat steps until you reach the floor.

Faux Bois
Brighten up this wood grain motif with a happy hue.
Skill level: Beginner. The roller does most of the work.
Use the pen to mark one end of the patterned roller with a plus sign; halfway around, mark with a minus sign. Follow the manufacturer's online video directions to attach the foam applicator and patterned roller to the handle and load with paint. With the plus sign facing you, touch roller to the upper left corner of the wall and roll down until you reach the base. Repeat for the next pass, beginning with the minus sign facing you. Continue making vertical passes along the wall, alternating the starting position of the roller each time. You'll need to reload the applicator with paint every 3-4 passes.

Fireworks
Create a carefree mood with whimsical bursts.
Skill level: Beginner. Embrace imperfections.
Paint one tiny dot that will be the center of the first burst. Then, using the photo as a guide, paint five "petals" around that dot by pressing the bristles to the wall and allowing them to splay apart. Continue adding brush marks in concentric circles around the center dot until the pattern is 9-12 inches in diameter. Repeat these steps to add additional bursts spaced a few inches apart.

Plaid
Update this classic pattern with a pretty palette.
Skill level: Advanced. It's tedious but timeless.
Press several pushpins into the yardstick to hold it off the wall and keep it from smearing the paint. Use the filbert brush and the first color (Online) to create a grid of vertical and horizontal lines (1½" apart) by running the brush along the edge of the yardstick. Add a second grid with the same color and brush ½" away from the first one. Use the second color (Begonia) and flat brush to add a grid of thicker lines, ½" away from the last set, then thin lines, ¾" away from the last, with the filbert brush. Use the third color (Site White) and flat brush to add a grid ⅜" away from the last.