Best Way to Paint Interior Accent Walls: Step By Step
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Time to read 3 min
Painting interior accent walls adds a fun, bold color to one wall, making rooms stand out in house interior painting. Best practices use eggshell interior paint for a slight shine and careful prep for a standout finish.
If you are planning to paint your house interior, in this article you will learn easy steps to make your home interior feel new again with step-by-step guides for all interior surfaces.
How to do house interior painting for beginners
Materials Needed
- Low VOC eggshell interior paint (e.g., ECOS Paints Eggshell, Clare Eggshell)
- Primer (low VOC, tinted for bold colors)
- Paintbrush Guard ($87) with reusable bags
- 2–3-inch angled brushes
- 3/8-inch nap rollers
- Canvas drop cloths
- Painter’s tape
- Sandpaper (120–220 grit)
- Cleaning soap, spackle, rags, paint trays, stir sticks, bucket
- Ladder for high walls
Best Practice Steps for Interior Accent Walls
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Choose Wall: Pick one wall (e.g., behind a bed or sofa) for the accent. Cover floors and nearby walls with canvas drop cloths, reusable for eco friendly painting.
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Clean Wall: Wash with safe soap and water to remove dust or marks. Dry fully with rags to help interior paint stick.
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Fix Flaws: Fill holes with spackle, dry (1–2 hours), and sand with 120-grit sandpaper. Wipe dust with a damp rag.
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Tape Edges: Apply painter’s tape along adjacent walls, ceilings, and floors for sharp lines. Press tape firmly.
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Prime Wall: Use a low VOC tinted primer (matching your bold color) to ensure true color. Roll on with a 3/8-inch nap roller in a “W” pattern, brushing edges with a 2-inch angled brush. Dry 4–6 hours.
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Mix Paint: Stir low VOC eggshell interior paint, pour into a tray with a liner, supporting sustainable painting.
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Paint Edges: Cut in a 2-inch strip along taped edges with a 2–3-inch angled brush, keeping lines straight.
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Roll Wall: Apply paint with a 3/8-inch nap roller in “W” shapes, overlapping strokes. Work in small sections, keeping a wet edge. Apply two coats, drying 4–6 hours between.
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Inspect and Fix: Remove tape after drying. Touch up edges or spots with a small brush.
- Clean Up: Wash tools with soap or seal brushes in Paintbrush Guard bags. Reuse drop cloths and store paint.
Tips for Success
- Test bold colors on a small area to check lighting.
- Choose a wall without windows or doors for a solid look.
- Use a level for straight tape lines if needed.
- Apply thin coats for bright, even colors.
Time Estimate: 2–3 days for one accent wall (prep: 1 day, priming/painting: 1–2 days).
Cost Estimate: $50–$150 for one wall (1 gallon interior paint at $40–$80/gallon, primer, brushes, rollers, tape, etc.).
Painting an interior accent wall
With house interior painting, you can turn a plain wall into a bold, happy feature for a low cost. Use eco friendly tools and sustainable painting techniques to create a pretty accent wall that lasts.
Your room will feel special, and you’ll help the planet with low VOC interior paint and less waste. Grab your roller, pick a fun color, and start this easy interior painting project today.
Why is choosing the right wall important for an accent wall?
Selecting a wall, like one behind a bed or sofa, ensures the accent wall stands out as a bold focal point in house interior painting. A wall without windows or doors creates a solid, cohesive look, enhancing the room’s overall appeal.
What materials are essential for painting an interior accent wall?
You need low-VOC eggshell interior paint (e.g., ECOS Paints Eggshell), tinted low-VOC primer, a Paintbrush Guard, 2–3-inch angled brushes, 3/8-inch nap rollers, canvas drop cloths, painter’s tape, 120–220 grit sandpaper, cleaning soap, spackle, rags, paint trays, stir sticks, and a ladder for high walls.
How does the Paintbrush Guard support eco-friendly accent wall painting?
The Paintbrush Guard vacuum-seals brushes, keeping them wet during breaks, reducing water waste and cleanup time by 15–30 minutes per session. Its reusable bags support sustainable painting, ensuring a clean, efficient process for a standout accent wall.
What are the key steps to painting an interior accent wall?
Choose a wall, clean it with soap, fix flaws with spackle and sand, tape edges, apply tinted primer, cut in edges with a 2–3-inch angled brush, roll paint in “W” patterns, apply two coats, and touch up after drying. These steps ensure a vibrant, professional finish in 2–3 days.
What tips help achieve a successful accent wall?
Test bold colors on a small area, choose a windowless wall for a solid look, use a level for straight tape lines, and apply thin coats for even coverage. These practices, paired with eco-friendly tools like the Paintbrush Guard, ensure a bright, lasting accent wall.
Mark Walsh
Written by Mark Walsh, a home improvement specialist with over 15 years of hands-on experience in interior painting. Mark has completed hundreds of DIY and professional projects, from basic wall refreshes to complex textured applications, and is passionate about sharing practical, beginner-friendly advice to help homeowners achieve lasting, professional-quality results.
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