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Why choose a singular hue for your wall when you can paint it in two different shades to add more dimension to your room? If you want to transform each wall in your home into the perfect backdrop for Instagram posts, you may want to jump aboard the two-tone walls trend that has made a dramatic comeback.
So, if you have been looking for ways to spruce up your home décor, this comprehensive guide on how to paint two-tone walls may help you out. Though before we discuss the steps to achieve the desired three-dimensional effect, let’s briefly talk about this trend.
What is a Tone-Tone Wall?
If you follow any interior designers on social media or like to browse through high-end home décor magazines, you may have noticed that two-tone walls are all the rage these days.
As the name suggests, this trend revolves around splitting the surface of the wall into two (or more) sections and painting each in a different hue. You can either choose colours of the same family to create a more subdued look or opt for shades on the opposite sides of the colour wheel to make your space look more visually appealing. They serve as perfect accent walls for living rooms, dining areas, bedrooms, and even kitchens.
Required Materials and Tool
Let’s look at the list of materials and tools you will need to paint two-tone walls in your home.
- Paints
- Angled paint brushes
- Paint rollers
- Tarps
- Painter’s tape
- Soft sponge
- All-purpose household cleaner
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Measuring tape
- Level
- Pencil
- Spackling compound
- Putty knife
How to Paint Two-Tone Walls in 5 Easy Steps
Here is your step-by-step guide to painting a two-tone wall.
Step 1: Choose the Colour Scheme for Your Room
The first step to painting two-tone walls is to select the two colours you want to use. Since these two hues will go side by side, you must put some thought into the colour scheme and choose the shades that work well together.
Most interior designers prefer pairing a darker and bolder colour with a lighter and neutral hue. For instance, some popular colour combinations for two-tone walls include terracotta and ivory, lavender and off-white, dark blue and white, and dark green and light grey. It is also worth mentioning that the darker colour tends to go on the bottom, while the lighter shade is used for the top portion of the wall to make a room look taller than it actually is.
If you are unsure about which colours to use on your wall, you can consider using the colour wheel for some inspiration. For a soft and subdued look, you may want to opt for a monochromatic scheme that uses two shades of the same colour, such as pairing navy blue with light blue, to add some depth to the room.
On the other hand, if you want to create a bold accent wall that will draw the attention of everyone who visits your home, you can consider using hues that are opposite each other on the colour wheel. For instance, greens and blues may be from different families, but their strong contrast can make your room look and feel more vibrant. Just make sure to pair a darker colour with a lighter shade as the former can make a space look smaller while the latter can make it appear spacious.
Last but not least, you should also make sure the colours you choose to paint a two-tone wall do not clash with the colour palette of your home and complements the furnishing. In addition, consider painting a small section of your wall and check how it looks under natural light during the daytime and under fluorescent light at night.
You should also check out our guide on choosing the right paint finish for different rooms and if you should prime the walls before painting.
Step 2: Get the Room Ready for Painting
Once you have decided on the colours for your two-tone painting, it is time to prepare the room. Although most people choose to hire professionals for the job, you may be surprised to know that painting a wall is pretty easy. As long as you follow the instructions, you can complete this DIY home improvement project in no time.
That being said, the first thing you need to do before painting a two-tone wall is to remove all the furniture from the room. However, if you are only planning to paint one side of the room to create an accent wall, you can easily push all the furniture to the opposite end of the room. You can also cover them with a tarp for better protection against paint splatters.
Next, cover the floor near the base of the wall with a tarp. If you have any rugs or carpets placed in the vicinity, it may be a good idea to roll them up and secure them in another room until the project reaches its completion. Also, don’t forget to secure the tarp to the floor with tape. Otherwise, it may make it difficult for you to move around and even cause a tripping hazard.
Furthermore, remove any curtains or blinds on the walls, cover the electrical outlets, remove décor items, and use painter’s tape to protect the trimming or moulding. Basically, if there is something on that wall you don’t want to paint, make sure to cover it with tape or plastic.
The next thing you must do is thoroughly clean the surface of the wall. For this purpose, you can spray an all-purpose cleaning solution on the wall and gently wipe it with a soft sponge. If you notice any cracks, please use a spackling compound to fill them up and remove excess material with a putty knife. Once everything looks dry, gently rub the wall with fine-grit sandpaper to remove any peeling paint and ensure a smoother surface.
Please take a look at our guide on how to paint a room like a pro for more details.
Step 3: Decide the Height and Tape the Wall
There are a lot of different ways to create a two-tone wall. You can either paint two horizontal sections on your wall, opt for vertical lines, or split the surface diagonally. However, regardless of which style you choose, make sure to measure the area properly and create a straight line on the wall with painter’s tape. If your room has moulding or another permanent wall fixture, please make sure to take it into account when sectioning off the surface.
Many interior designers recommend using a measuring tape and a pencil to mark small dots on the wall. These markings will guide you when you finally apply tape to the surface. Moreover, if you have decided to paint two sections horizontally, you can either divide the surface right down the middle or measure around 40 inches from the ground and mark the spot. You can also use a level to draw a straight line across the length of your wall before masking it with tape.
In addition, don’t forget to score the outer edge of the painter’s tape with the dull edge of a knife to keep the paint from bleeding under the material.
Meanwhile, if you are wondering how much colour you may require for your wall, this paint calculator guide will help you out.
Step 4: Start Painting Each Section of the Wall
Now that you have got everything out of the way, it is finally time to start painting your wall. Just pop open the paint cans and dip an angled brush into the colour before running it along the corners of the wall. The idea here is to paint all the edges along with the area surrounding electrical sockets. It is also recommended to start painting with a lighter hue, so if you have chosen the darker shade for the top part of the wall, you may want to focus on the bottom section first.
Next, use a paint roller and start painting the wall using one of the most popular two-tone painting techniques. It requires you to load the roller with the hue and move it to the top part of the section before rolling it down to the bottom and then repeating the process, following the shape of the alphabet ‘W’ width-wise. This ensures even coverage and reduces patchiness. You can once again use your angled brush to fill in the areas that require more colour.
Although a second coat is not always necessary, most interior designers suggest a second application to enhance the colour and hide any imperfections. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for the colour to be completely dry before applying a fresh coat. However, please make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions on the label before proceeding.
The next step is to let the paint dry before gently removing the painter’s tape. Instead of pulling it in the upward or downward direction, consider taking it off at a 45-degree angle. It is also important to mention that the longer you wait to take off the tape, the harder it will become.
Once the painted section is completely dry, please reapply the tape on the other side of the line following the directions mentioned in the previous step. Now, you can continue painting the rest of your wall.
On a side note, here is how long it takes for different types of paints to dry and cure.
Step 5: Dispose of Empty Cans and Clean Your Brushes
Last but not least, close the paint cans, throw away the empty ones, and remove all the tarps you have placed around the room. While you should ideally wait for the paint to completely dry before rearranging the furniture (to avoid any accidental scuff marks), you can use this time to thoroughly clean your brushes in a mixture of soap and warm water.
Once you have carefully dried and stored everything in its rightful place, carefully remove the last strips of painter’s tape from the wall. If you pull it too quickly or at the wrong angle, the paint underneath might come off, so please be gentle.
If there are any unsightly blotches of colour on your pristine floors, you may find our tutorials on removing paint stains from hardwood floors and other surfaces.
There you have it – a complete guide on how to paint two-tone walls.
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