How to Make Decorative Paint Rollers

Basic Texture Roller

• 1

  Place a roller pad with 1-inch or thicker nap (padding) on a roller frame. An old pad that has been used and not thoroughly cleaned (so some of the tufts clump together) works best for this.

• 2

  Stretch and twist rubber bands around the pad at a variety of angles, creating clumps and random patterns with tufts and lines.

• 3

  Apply paint to your walls with this roller as you would with any roller, but slightly adjust the rubber bands periodically as you work to renew the texture.

• 4

  Fluff up the nap with a comb if it becomes too flattened to give you a good texture.

Rag Roller

• 5

  Dampen and squeeze out one or two rags, about the size of standard hand towels. Terrycloth rags are great for rough textures, while T-shirt-type rags work well for softer textures.

• 6

  Wrap the rags loosely around a standard roller pad on a frame.

• 7

  Secure the rags with rubber bands at random angles and positions so the bands add to the texture.

• 8

  Pull the rag out from the rubber bands in some places so it has puffy spots and even a few loose ends that will flop around as you paint, adding to the texture.

• 9

  Apply the paint as you would with any roller. Puff up the rag or tuck it under the rubber bands as necessary to keep the texture fresh as you paint.