How to Paint Rooms Without Paint Rollers

Paintbrushes

• The paintbrush was the go-to painting device until the advent of the paint roller. It is just as competent painting whole walls as it is painting trim, corners or designs. Although using a paintbrush to paint an entire wall one color is a slow process, it is a method of painting that virtually anyone can do. If designs are incorporated into the wall, such as making a mural or painting a picture from an opaque projector, paint brushes of different widths, configurations and sizes are perfect for the task.

Spray Painting

• Spray painting incorporates a paint sprayer to distribute paint onto the wall surface. This is the fastest way to spread paint, but everything you do not want painted must be thoroughly covered or taped off. A face mask is required to keep you from inhaling airborne sprayed paint particles, and always wear safety goggles to keep sprayed paint from getting into your eyes. Some paint sprayers may require the paint to be thinned before it is sprayed, and if that is the case, you will spray twice as much thinned paint to get the same coverage as one regular coat.

Sponge Painting

• Sponge painting adds a different texture or overall paint design to the wall. Sponges are dipped into paint, then the paint is daubed onto the wall. One common effect is to draw rectangles onto the wall to be painted. Begin overlapping different shades of the same color of paint, with the sponge, over the drawn rectangles. This gives a layered effect, much like plaid, and breaks up a mono-colored surface into a multi-shaded decorative background.

Rag Painting

• Rag painting is the opposite of sponge painting. First, the paint is applied to the wall, then a rag is used to blot up the paint. This leaves an uneven layer of paint with the lines and creases of the rag material visible. For best results, work in small spaces, 4-foot square, so the paint doesn't dry out before the area is blotted.

Splash Painting

• Splash painting is the process of throwing or "splashing" paint onto a wall. It works best when there is a base color already in place, but even bare walls are splash painted to colorful effect. The easiest way to do this is to load up the tip of a brush with a paint color of your choice. Grasp the handle firmly and flip the tip toward the wall. The paint flies off the paintbrush tip and splashes onto the wall. You can create splash designs on the entire wall or in spaces on the wall. Using different colors add to the character, and no way to splash paint onto the wall is the wrong way.

Free-form Painting

• Free-form painting is painting with any available tool. This may include brooms, sticks, feather dusters and even hands. The ways and means are nearly infinite, and virtually anything that holds paint is usable. Artistic creativity rules with free-form painting.