How to Paint an Accent Wall with Straight Lines

Paint the base color of your chosen accent wall and let it dry thoroughly. The base color is the background, or primary, color of the wall. Use the number of coats specified on the paint can.

Measure where you want your paint line to be with the tape measure and mark it on the wall with a pencil. Horizontal lines should be the same distance from the floor or ceiling at each end of the wall. Vertical lines should be the same distance from wall corners at both the top and the bottom. A carpenter's level or laser level will ensure the lines are level and plumb.

Tape off your line using painter's tape. The stripe of color you want to paint should be between two rows of tape. It will be easier to keep the tape lines straight if you tape down one end and then unroll long sections of tape, pull it taut, and press it with one finger to adhere the tape along the line while you unroll more. If you are painting several stripes or alternating colors, it helps to write the paint color within each stripe area. This will avoid confusion when your wall is covered with many strips of tape. Make sure the tape is smooth and pressed firmly against the wall by running a fingernail or spoon along the tape edges.

Paint over the inside edges of the tape within your stripe area using the same base color you have already painted. This will seal the edge of the tape and prevent bleed-through of your stripe color. Allow it to dry thoroughly.

Paint your stripe color. If the stripe paint is a lighter color than your base color, it may take several coats to cover thoroughly. Make sure you paint over the inside edge of the tape so there will be a crisp line when you remove it.

Remove the tape by pulling at a 90-degree angle from the wall as soon as the paint is dry to the touch.