What Colors Go Together With Red for Sponge Painting?

Red

• To achieve added dimension and depth in your sponge paint application, alter the intensity of the red hue and achieve a unified faux effect. Use a second coat (and third if you would like a heavily textured look) which is 50 percent stronger (or darker) in hue than the base coat. You can request a different intensity of paint from the paint expert at your local hardware or home improvement store. Apply the base red paint to the wall, and use the darker shade for the sponge effect. If using two additional shades, begin with the lighter of the two.

Blue

• Combine red and blue to create shades of purple, a rich color typically associated with royalty. Use a red basecoat for a brighter more energetic finish. For a more soothing and understated purple, apply blue as the basecoat, and use the red for the topcoat. Stick with blues and reds which are similar in intensity; a sky blue, for instance, will look comical when combined with a deep dark red. Use this color combination to stimulate conversation in a living room or den or to create a romantic retreat in the bedroom.

Yellow

• Examine color theory when working on sponge painting projects. Combine red (a primary color) with yellow (another of the three primary shades, along with blue) to create a rich and rustic faux finish. The end result will be a rich orange hue. For a bright finish use the true primary shades. To achieve a more subtle look, combine a rosy red with a creamy yellow for a soft color finish. A red and yellow combination works well in a kitchen or office space as it produces an energetic color profile.