How to Add Something to Paint to Make Textured Paint

Texturizing with Sand

• 1

  Measure the amount of fine sand you wish to stir into your paint. Start with a small amount, such as one cup of sand for a gallon of paint, and add more in small increments to avoid thickening your paint too much. Sand will add a fine and more consistent texture to your paint than Styrofoam bits, and will add a subtle touch to your walls.

• 2

  Stir the sand into the paint completely, ensuring it is thoroughly mixed.

• 3

  Brush a small amount of the textured paint on a board or piece of paper to see how the texture looks, and allow the paint to dry before proceeding.

• 4

  Repeat steps 1 to 3, until you have the desired texture from your paint.

Texturizing with Styrofoam

• 5

  Sand the Styrofoam to break off the small beads of the Styrofoam from the board. Measure the amount of Styrofoam you wish to stir into your paint. It is a good idea to start with a small amount, such as one cup for a gallon of paint, and add more in small increments to avoid thickening your paint too much. Styrofoam beads will add a clumpy and potentially uneven texture to your paint. This effect will give your surface an aged or "shabby chic" look.

• 6

  Stir the Styrofoam into the paint completely, ensuring it is thoroughly mixed.

• 7

  Brush a small amount of the textured paint on a board or piece of paper to see how the texture looks, and allow the paint to dry before proceeding.

• 8

  Repeat steps 1 to 3, until you have the desired texture from your paint.