How to Sponge Paint a Wall: A Step-by-Step Guide

Sponge painting is one of the simplest ways to transform a room. It allows you to introduce different textures and create a depth of color that you can’t quite achieve with other methods—and you don’t need to buy a bunch of new equipment to get started.

If you think sponge painting a wall means you’ll end up with a 90s-style interior with heavy textures and bold color or pattern combinations, you might be relieved to learn that’s no longer the case. Modern sponge painting ideas are about creating more delicate textures with muted color palettes and layered finishes for extra depth.

Sponge Painting 101

Sponge painting describes the method of using a sponge to apply paint in a way that gives it a textured, uneven finish. It was a popular way to decorate walls in the 1980s and 90s, but sponges can add texture to any surface you want to paint. 

The type of sponge will impact the texture; small natural sponges will create a softer, more organic pattern, for example. Your sponge painting technique is also essential as each produces different results. For instance, you can dab paint onto the wall or use a damp sponge to lift paint off or bleed colors into each other.  

Tools Needed for Sponge Painting

One of the most appealing things about sponge painting is that you don’t need to invest in a pile of new equipment. The only tools you need are:

• A range of sponges. Natural sea sponges are best for softer textures, but you’ll need a variety of sizes to get a range of effects.
• Paint for the base coat of the wall.
• Latex paint for sponging. Make sure you choose a paint designed for walls, and go for flat or eggshell paints to get a more textured finish. 
• A latex glaze if you want a translucent effect from your sponge painting—and a glaze extender to stop it from drying so quickly.
• A paint tray so you can mix small amounts of paint, load up multiple sponges, or decant smaller pools of paint. A bucket will be more straightforward if you need to mix large amounts of paint. 

A few more things could make your sponge painting easier, including:

• Drop cloths to protect the floor and surrounding areas from splatters of paint.
• Masking tape to keep borders and other lines crisp and clean.
• A paint roller and tray to apply the base coat.
• A spray bottle to mist the sponge and keep it damp.
• A stepladder if you plan to paint the top of your wall.

Easy Sponge Painting Techniques

Perhaps sponge painting is popular because it’s easy to grasp the most common techniques. You can paint an entire wall if you learn just one, but there are many to choose from. 

The easiest sponge painting methods are:

• Tapping is the classic way to sponge paint: you dab the sponge on the wall and change the pressure or sponge movement to vary the texture.
• Rolling the sponge gives a more sweeping texture and mimics a marble or stone finish.
• Lifting with a damp sponge removes color from a coat of paint and achieves a distressed look.

Considerations Before You Start

Before you grab your sponges and lunge toward your wall, it’s recommended that you practice your sponge painting techniques and try out different ways to get the desired effect. This is a good way to test out paint samples before you buy pricey tins, and make sure your sponges work for you. 

Don’t forget to make sure you’re painting safely. Open windows and doors to make sure you’ve got good air circulation, wear a mask if you need protection from paint fumes, and consider putting on gloves to prevent the paint from irritating your hands.

Sponge Paint Your Wall Like a Pro

If you follow these x steps, your easy sponge painting will look like you’ve called round a professional painter and decorator for a trendy refresh. 

1. Apply the Base Coat of Paint

You need to prepare your wall before you start your sponge painting. This could involve painting on a base color and waiting for it to dry complete or simply cleaning the wall and covering up anything you don’t want the paint to get on. 

2. Combine Topcoat Color with Faux Glaze

To slow down the drying process and give you longer to work with your sponge painting, it’s important you mix the topcoat color with a latex glaze. 

3. Prepare the Sponge with Paint

Dampen your sponge first to absorb the paint more evenly and soften its texture. To prepare your sponge with paint, dip it lightly into the topcoat and get even coverage. Don’t get too much paint on the sponge; it’ll cause heavy splotches. 

4. Begin Sponging

You should already have your sponge painting ideas in mind and know which sponge painting techniques will best achieve this, but you might want to start with an area that will be obscured by furniture as you build your confidence. 

When you start sponging, work in sections and reapply the paint whenever the sponge runs out. Use the same amount of paint and pressure to get a consistent finish on the all-important first layer. You may need to step back to view the freshly painted wall from a distance and check for any spots that need to be touched up. 

5. Add More Layers

You’ll want to add more layers of other sponge paint color combinations to build depth. The second layer usually covers less surface area than the first and uses a lighter pressure or a different sponge for more texture variety. 

You can add as many layers as you like, though three or four is often plenty. Just make sure you let each layer dry before adding a new one and wash your sponges thoroughly between colors. 

6. Finish With Your Accent Color

To round off your easy sponge painting, get a smaller sponge and apply your accent color in sporadic clusters. 

Experiment With Sponge Painting

Sponge painting is popular because it’s a relatively easy skill to master, and you don’t need to buy lots of new tools to do it. It’s an easy, affordable way to transform your interiors on a budget and gives you much creative freedom to experiment with colors and textures. 

If you’re itching to pick up sponge painting but don’t want to start with your walls, you could try using sponges to make Christmas cards or layered abstract paintings.

But if sponge painting isn’t for you, perhaps you’d prefer to learn about watercolor textures, try mixing colors with gouache painting, or discover how to paint a mural instead.
Whether you’re a beginner or a creative professional looking to upskill, there’s a Skillshare class waiting to teach you abstract painting techniques like sponge painting and beyond.

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