A sponge roller creates a textured finish on the wall.
Faux finishing is an inexpensive way to add a customized look to a room. Applying extra layers of color with sponging or ragging creates an illusion of dimension and texture on the wall. Any surface that can be painted can be faux-finished, but it's best to start with a clean, primed wall. You can create a subtle or lively look with faux finishing depending on the colors of paint you choose. For an understated look, use slightly different shades of the same color. Complementary colors -- those opposite each other on the color wheel -- will result in a more vivid finish.
Select the paint colors for your project. Using one base color and two accent colors is a typical method, but you may also opt for only one accent color or more than two. Use standard interior latex paint in an eggshell or flat finish.
Apply a base coat of paint to all the surfaces that will be sponged.
Thin a portion of accent paint with water or glaze. Thinning the paint makes it dry slower, giving you more time for blending. Glaze may add a sheen to the paint and should be used according to the manufacturer's directions. Add 1 part water to 8 parts of paint if using a paint that can be mixed with water. Stir well.
Dip a large sea sponge into the accent paint to lightly coat the outside layer. Don't saturate it.
Dab the sponge onto a piece of cardboard to remove any excess paint. This is called offloading.
Practice your sponging technique on a sample board before painting the wall. Lightly press the sponge against the board turning your hand to the left and right to create a random pattern. A small amount of overlapping is attractive, but don't sponge directly over an existing print. Once you are confident with your technique, begin sponging on the wall.
Fill in sections of the wall with sponge prints until the entire surface has an even pattern. Work quickly, reloading and offloading the sponge as needed. Allow the first layer to dry and repeat the process with remaining accent colors.
Apply a base coat of paint to the wall.
Mix one accent color with glaze according to the manufacturer's directions.
Paint a 5-by-5-foot section of the wall with the paint/glaze mixture.
Dab at the glaze with a dry sea sponge to remove a porton of paint. Offload excess paint onto a piece of cardboard as the sponge becomes saturated. Continue sponging off until you achieve the desired affect. Repeat the process in sections until the entire wall is complete.
Apply a base coat of paint and thin your accent color or colors with water or glaze.
Dip a lint-free rag into the thinned paint. Wring out excess paint.
Practice rolling the rag against a sample board. Experiment with the shape and size of the rag, the amount of paint and direction of your roll until you are happy with the look.
Work in sections of the wall and apply the ragging technique. Work quickly, loading and offloading the rag with paint as needed. Keep ragging until you've created a pleasing, overall pattern. Allow the paint to dry before ragging any additional accent colors.
Use a small sponge or cut one into smaller pieces to dab into corners and around trim.
Frequently stand back and take a look at the overall look of the faux technique. Fill in blank spots as needed. If you sponge or rag too heavily in a spot, dab on a bit of the base color to lighten the area.
Don't be nervous. It's only paint. Be sure to practice until you feel confident with the technique, and remember you can always paint over it if you don't like the finished effect.
Adding a final layer of clear glaze after all the paint is dry will add another subtle layer of dimension to the finish.
Burns, Jo. "How to Do Sponge and Ragging Effects on Walls." Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/sponge-ragging-effects-walls-54683.html. Accessed 19 April 2019.