Sponge painting is a popular way to get an interesting, textured look on a wall. While the process is relatively simple, it can be more time consuming than a standard paint job, and it typically involves a lot more paint. But the good news is that it’s very easy, and you should be able to do it yourself if you have some time to spare. Here are the steps for sponge painting a wall.


Step 1: For a sponge painting job, you will need a base coat of paint, and a layer of glaze mixed with a second paint color to give the wall the textured effect. When choosing your two layers of paint, you can make sure they go together well by first testing them on a piece of paper. Then, once you have the color for your base layer, apply it to the walls using the standard instructions for painting an interior wall.

Step 2: With your second-layer paint, make a mixture of one part paint to two parts glaze. Put the mixture in a dish, and have a larger container with water.

Step 3: Starting with an upper corner of the wall, dip your sponge (a sea sponge works best) into the water, squeeze the excess water away, and then dip the sponge in your paint-glaze mixture. Start tapping the sponge against the wall, rotating your wrist slightly in between each tap to create the textured look.

Step 4: Work your way diagonally down from the corner, making a wide swath. Every time you need to go back to the water and the glaze, blot the sponge with a clean rag.

Step 5: Keep repeating this process. Every once in a while, step back and take a broader look at your work. If you see any patches that need a few additional taps of the sponge, go back to them. If you see any spots that have too much glaze, you can return later with a layer of glaze mixed with your original paint color.

Step 6: If you want to have a more complex look, wait for the paint to dry and apply a third color using the same process.