How to Paint an Ombré Wall Technique
How to Paint an Ombré Wall Technique
Ombré painting is EVERYWHERE. Clothing, home décor and even wall paint techniques. An ombré wall is the paint technique I chose to create a misty and ethereal look in our master bedroom. It started when I fell in love with Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore but didn’t want to make our entire bedroom too dark (I have a hard enough time waking up in the morning.) I decided a good solution was to use the dark charcoal gray color on a focal wall behind the headboard. But, I didn’t want to stop the color in the corners and create a sharp line.
Instead, I wanted a softer edge that would make us feel like we were being hugged by the room.
How to Paint an Ombré Wall Technique
I used Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore to paint the other three walls in the bedroom, but created a random ragged edge where the two colors meet.
This is how the side walls look in preparation for the ombré wall technique.
Materials:
- Dark latex paint color (Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore)
- Lighter latex paint color (Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore)
- A small container with a mixture of the two colors to create an in between gray
- Paint brush
- Dry brush
- Water-filled spray bottle
- ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape
- Damp car wash sponge
- Rubber gloves
- Wet wipes or wet rag
Instructions:
Apply painter’s tape onto the ceiling and window or door casing to protect them from paint.
The key to a great ombré technique is to keep your paint wet as you work it back and forth into the dark and light areas.
Start by painting some of your in between gray paint up and down between the two colors. Use the sponge to pat the paint around and out from the brush strokes. Use the dry brush to feather the edges.
You’ll see what I mean in this video tutorial:
Be sure to step back from time to time to get a better look at the wall. I learned in art school that when you like something, it’s best to stop before you over do it.
Keep your ombré random for more visual interest.
What do you think? I had a lot of comments when I first posted the wall on Instagram. There was quite the debate over whether people liked it or not. Apparently several people thought it reminded them of a natural disaster.
I don’t know about you, but I LOVE IT! And it really does make it feel like there’s a mist moving into the room.
So, do you love it or hate it? Do tell! I’m a big girl, I can take it.
Psst. Don’t forget to enter the HomeRight Paint Stick giveaway! It shaved a lot of time off of my painting process!
We did this in our soaping lab with blues. So fun. Looks great =)
WOW!!! I have been looking for something different to do in my master bedroom and now I have found it. Grey, whats not to love.
I like grey, and I think the ombre technique would be cool with different colors, but this combo doesnt work for me. It reminds me of one of those horror movies where someone spontaneously combusts and leaves a scorched wall where they were standing.
I didn’t like this when I first saw you post about it, however I was lucky enough to see it in person and it looks fantastic. I don’t think the pictures, while great, do it justice. Your bed is a king and much wider than it looks in the pictures and the walls frame it beautifully. I wish everyone could see it in person!
You did a great job, but I think having ragged edges would drive me nuts 🙁
I really like it a lot!! I like the grey, and the ombre. I agree, it would not have been good to paint the whole room in grey, but the way you did it looks great!
Sad and strange to discus if you like a painting methode or not;-S
I’m just happy with you, and that you have explained the methode. I don’t know if i will use this, but i like to learn new methodes and it will be helpful some day some how.
so thank you very much for explain the methode and giving and sharing your tute.
I know by my own tutes it’s allways allot of effords.
so i appricaite this allot;-D
and yes i like this.LOL so don’t bother.LOL
Love grey but not this effect. Sorry!
I’ve done this is the past for clients Brittany, however, with different colors. I love the technique you used but I have a traumatic story about the color gray. I can’t do it, just can’t. I have mentioned this before about that color on blogs & everyone wants to hear my “gray story” but I can never seem to write about it. I must say though, you did a wonderful job & as long as you love it, that’s all that matters.
love! great job
i love this technique and you make it look very do-able, altho i am not a big fan of that shade of grey either.
Gorgeous! It looks like fog and even feels misty-moisty. I love it!
I’m not a fan of gray either, but this is really cool! And you make it look do-able.
Thanks so much!
I’m going to try it where I have to paint a wall that goes into another wall where I would never be able to match the color! Fingers crossed! Mine will be creme to gold.
As long as you love it – that’s what’s important. But this is not my favorite of your projects. Most of the time I love your projects – and I Always appreciate your information … thanks
Not a fan of Grey. I do like that it looks stormy — but I think I’d be depressed in this room 90 percent of the time. The ombre is fun — but maybe with a different color. Just my taste!