Create a DIY Handpainted accent wall that fits your personal style using paint and patterns.
This DIY tutorial will teach you how to freehand paint a DIY handpainted accent wall using supplies you likely already have on hand.
Wallpaper has come back into existence full force in the design world. DIY-ers everywhere have fallen hard for the peel and stick type that allows you to change your space without the commitment of traditional adhesive wallpaper. I’ve used it to line the cabinet of my bathroom vanity as well as my laundry room walls.
The one downfall is that it can be expensive, even for a small space like a closet. When making over my entryway closet, I knew I wanted to give it a fun accent but $100+ for the wallpaper I fell in love with was out of the question. Like any frugal cheap DIY-er would do, I decided to paint it on freehand using leftover wall paint. Worst case scenario, I hate it, I paint over.
This small hallway closet has gone from wire shelving to a cleaning closet using IKEA Algot shelving system. Now I’ve removed it all to create DIY floating shelves to maximize the space.
***Big thanks to Walmart for sponsoring this post! I have been monetarily compensated for my work, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. We only share what we love here, and as always, thank you for your support!***
Supplies
- Paint of choice, base coat and pattern color
- Small Brush
- Laser Level (optional), Level, Painter’s Tape, Yardstick, etc….
- Wall Spackling (to repair holes if needed)
Step 1: Prep Wall Surface
You’ll want to make any necessary repairs to your wall before beginning the painting process. I had to patch and sand multiple holes after removing the shelving system. After patching, I gave the closet two coats of white paint that I had on hand. It’s amazing what these two coats alone did to brighten up the space.
Step 2: Pick a pattern
Browse Pinterest, Instagram, or any online wallpaper shop for a pattern you like. Once you’ve picked some options, you can use my new favorite hack for sampling paint on your wall. I took a laminator sheet and split it into two parts. I painted a few of my pattern choices onto the less slick side of the laminator sheets and taped them onto the wall.
The translucent material allows you to visualize exactly how the pattern will look against the current wall color. Many companies now sell peel and stick paint samples, but I had this material on hand and free is awesome.
Step 3: Level & Paint
I started by completing a few rows horizontally across the top to ensure level. After the first few rows were done, I used an 8’ piece of lattice trim I had leftover to keep things level vertically.
I placed it against the wall, leveled it all the way from top to bottom, and taped it to the wall using delicate painter’s tape. This served as a visual guide for me and kept the pattern from ending up all wonky. Walls and corners are rarely perfectly square so it’s easy for a pattern to start veering off course.
In retrospect, a laser level that grips to the wall like this one would have made this project 1000x easier.
Using a cheap, 1” paintbrush. I varied the weight and direction of my brushstrokes each time so that the pattern looked intentionally undone and imperfect. I didn’t reload my brush with paint for every stroke either, so some turned out thicker than others (on purpose).
Frequent breaks saved my sanity and my eyes. Overall I think this project could quickly be knocked out in a few hours.
I used leftover Repose Grey paint, which is the main color of the walls in my home. It gave just enough subtle contrast to make the pattern come to life without being overwhelming. I was surprised at how much it actually looks like wallpaper. The littles and I even used it as a “photobooth” for some candid snapshots before the shelving install began. And yes, I even joked about how I should definitely turn it into a mom nook. How awesome would that be!!
I’m now trying to decide which wall will be by next victim for a DIY handpainted wallpaper accent wall. If you want to add some character for cheap with handpainted wallpaper or patterns, be sure to Pin this project!
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