How to Decorate a Wall With Handprints

Review your paint options to choose one that is safe for both you and the wall. While you’ll only be palming the paint, it’ll still be coming in contact with your skin. Avoid using any paint with harmful ingredients like toluene, which can impact the heart and nervous system; ammonia, which can irritate your eyes; and phthalates, which can be deadly when inhaled.

Prepare the wall by removing all hanging objects, shelves and decorations. Patch any holes with caulk and brush away spider webs and dust.

Lay newspaper or sheeting down on the floor, butting up against the bottom where the floor meets the wall. Extend the protection at least six feet from where the floor meets the wall into the room so you’ll have plenty of space to walk and move backwards.

Double-plate two paper plates -- this increases the sturdiness and may help prevent the plates from getting soggy from holding the paint -- for each color you’ll be using to decorate.

Pour one color of paint onto each plate. You don’t have to pour an entire bottle, since you’ll just be lightly tapping your hand in it.

Clean and dry your hands, removing any rings or bracelets.

Place a bucket of warm soapy water and a supply of paper towels or washcloths you won’t want to use again near the plates.

Flex one hand and gently press it into the plate. Pick up your hand and shake off any excess paint back onto the plate.

Press the other hand into another paint color and shake off the color.

Press one hand onto the wall. Meet the wall as if you were giving it a high-five, with your fingers and palm all pressed against the wall. Avoid cupping your hand like a “C,” which will make you miss the palm print part of your hand.

Remove your hand from the wall and hold it pointing down toward the floor, away from your body so as not to drip on your clothes. Press the other hand onto the wall, such as directly to the right of the first to create the beginning of a ceiling border.

Place your hands back into the same two paint colors and add more handprints to the wall. If you’re doing a border, you’ll have to guesstimate where to put your hands next if other colors are involved. This way, you minimize washing your hands until you’re ready for the next two colors. Add hand prints around the room in a scattered fashion or to make a pattern.

Cleanse your hands in the water and soap bucket, using a paper towel or cloth to remove all traces of paint.

Place your hands into the next two colors on the plates and work your way through the paint, completing the room.