How to Sponge Paint a Room

DIY sponge painted walls with woven basket in front

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 10 hrs
  • Total Time: 2 days
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $100-$150

If you want to quickly transform an otherwise boring, white-walled space into one of the most exciting areas in your home, use a simple sponge-paint technique. Sponge painting is a paint method that can create a beautiful array of ombre color effects—one color blending into another. It involves nothing more than applying a base coat of color, then using sponges to dab on another color, so the underlying color shows through. Varying the colors, the dabbing technique, and the sponges used gives you creative freedom.

Most sponge-painting projects use two colors, but you can also experiment with multiple colors applied over one another. You can use as many as five different colors, but note that will require a few extra steps, additional cost, and add some time to your painting project.

Follow our steps to create a new look for your room with sponge painting.

Preparation

Because sponging adds texture and depth to the walls, this is a good technique for walls with some irregularities in the finish. Although sponge painting can mask minor flaws, it will not hide major wall damage. Fix any damaged wall sections before you start painting. Like any painting project, use the same preparation steps as you would for ordinary painting projects: clean the walls and mask off surfaces you want to protect. Also, practice the sponging technique with your color choices on a piece of scrap cardboard or drywall before you apply it to the walls.

Safety Considerations

If you choose to use alkyd-based paint, you might need to use thinner. Wear a mask with a charcoal filter to avoid breathing the thinner fumes. Also, wear plastic or rubber gloves to avoid getting the sticky glaze (or paint thinner) on your hands.

What Is Alkyd Paint?

Alkyd paint is an enamel finish similar in consistency to oil paint. Alkyd paint does not contain oil. It is not typically used on walls and is more commonly used on metal or wood. Alkyd paint is tougher than oil-based paint, which is great for a surface that needs something more durable (like a child's room). The final result of an alkyd painted wall is a hard, semi-gloss finish.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Paint tray
  • Paint roller
  • Paint brush
  • Bucket

Materials

  • Base paint
  • Topcoat paint
  • Faux glaze
  • Paint pan liner
  • Roller cover
  • Stirring stick
  • Natural sea sponge
  • Rubber gloves
  • Glaze extender additive (optional)

Instructions

Materials and tools for DIY sponge painted walls

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

  1. Paint the Base Coat

    Use the base paint color of your choice to paint the walls. For complete coverage, apply a second base coat after the first coat dries.

    Flat or eggshell paints are best for most situations, but in rooms that get heavy use or where you expect to wash the walls frequently, satin or semi-gloss paint is a better choice.

    White paint rolled on as base color

    The Spruce / Margot Cavin

  2. Mix Topcoat Color and Faux Glaze

    Allow the base coat to dry. Thoroughly mix one part of your second (top) color of paint with four parts of faux glaze in a bucket. The more glaze you add, the more transparent the topcoat will be. If you want the topcoat to be darker or denser, use less faux glaze.

    Tip

    Choosing a good color combination can be tricky. If you choose a light color for the base coat, using glaze with a darker tone will darken the room's look. To achieve a lighter look, choose a glaze that is lighter than the base coat. Select a base coat and glaze color that is close in intensity and tone. Too much contrast will look splotchy and spotted.

    Faux glaze poured into bucket with topcoat paint color

    The Spruce / Margot Cavin

  3. Prep Your Sponge With Paint

    Dampen a natural sea sponge with water, then dip it into the bucket of glaze and blot or wipe the excess off the sponge. Be sure to use a natural sea sponge, not a synthetic sponge; it randomizes the pattern more.

    Excess green paint wiped off damp sea sponge

    The Spruce / Margot Cavin

    Tip

    Sponge painting requires you to work efficiently. Time is of the essence since the glaze dries quickly. This is not a project to tackle when you might be interrupted or distracted.


  4. Start Sponging

    Press the sponge Llightly into the corners of the wall and work outward. Tap the sponge onto the wall in a random pattern, leaving a thin coat of glaze on the surface. As you work, do not press down too hard. You might put too much glaze on the surface. Another technique involves rolling the sponge over the surface to achieve a random appearance.

    Sponge lightly pressing green paint on walls

    Tip

    Avoid wasting paint by using a paint calculator to figure out exactly how much paint you need.

  5. Add More Paint to the Sponge

    Re-dip the sponge when the paint mixture is depleted and continue working around the room. Divide your work into small areas, completing each area before moving to the next. Always keep the edge of the painted area wet. If necessary, use a glaze extender additive to slow the drying time of the glaze coat.

    More green paint added to damp sponge

    The Spruce / Margot Cavin

  6. Touch Up Areas for Consistency

    Inspect the overall surface from a distance. Use a small piece of sponge to touch up small areas, get into corners, and help create a consistent and random finish. The goal is for all areas to have a similar "show-through" of base paint and a similar look to the glaze pattern.

    Sponge applying green paint to wall fro consistency

    The Spruce / Margot Cavin

  7. Add More Colors

    Add more colors for more depth after the first top coat is dry if you wish. Layer a second, third, or fourth color to create a sense of dimension. Often, this is done in a monochromatic scheme, with an accent color added last. By the time you get to the accent color, the application should be minimal, placing the color only where you want to add a bit of interest or light.

How to Keep Paint Looking Fresh

Keep your remaining paint cans and label them with the room, date used, technique, or mixture ratio (for glaze mixes). If you need to cover a stain or fix a damaged section of a painted wall, you can quickly touch up or recreate the effect in that area.

Acrylic Latex Paint vs. Alkyd Paint

You can use ordinary acrylic latex or alkyd interior house paint for a sponge painting project. The downfall of latex paint is that it dries very quickly, and the sponging technique works best when mixing colors on wet edges. It's good to use if you're accustomed to sponging since you can get several layers applied in a short time, and it can be thinned with water and cleaned up with soap and water.

Alkyd paint dries more slowly, which is an advantage, but you'll need paint thinner if you have to thin the paint and for cleanup. Semigloss- or satin-finish paint works nicely for sponging because the layers remain separate, enhancing the effect. However, never mix latex and alkyd layers on the same surface because they may peel.

FAQ
  • What is the best sponge to use for sponge painting walls?

    The natural shape and texture of a seagrass sponge creates a visually interesting pattern on walls and surfaces. It also works well with paint and stain, since it absorbs the color while also easily transferring it to the surface.

  • Are sponge-painted walls still in style?

    While sponge painting had its heyday in the 90s, the painting technique can still look fresh if you pick colors that feel relevant today. You can try it as an alternative to wallpaper.

  • How do you smooth out sponge-painted walls?

    If you have sponge-painted walls and want to paint over the finish, then you'll need to lightly sand the walls with an orbital sander.