26 Paint Projects, Ideas, and Patterns

Trowel on thin layers of paint to create the timeworn look of aged Venetian plaster in minutes instead of centuries.

Draw a cloud design on a base-coated wall using a colored pencil, then apply stretchable striping tape along the lines. Cover with glaze, then remove the tape to reveal the lines, seemingly etched in gold.

Layer a base coat, metallic glaze, and interference paints to get the shimmering effect of real metal on your walls.

Steal the classic look of a Burberry plaid scarf for your walls. To do it, base-coat your walls a camel color, then mark off the plaid pattern using a level and painter's tape. Use 1:2 mixtures of glazing medium and paint for each stripe color. Start with the black areas, then continue with white and red, painting with a foam brush and letting each color dry before adding the next. Go over the glaze diagonally with a combing tool to create the look of woven fabric.

Give your furniture the contemporary chic look of hammered pewter in four easy steps. Simply sponge paint two light shades of silver paint over a darker hue.

Can you believe a coat of paint and a notched squeegee gives furniture such a fabulous country-sweet paint treatment? Try it yourself to see how easy it is.

Emulate the strength and solidity of ancient Roman marble with mere ounces of paint. The easy technique uses plastic wrap to create the lines and veins resembling solid stone.

If you can draw simple shapes, you can make these lampshades -- it's that easy. Start with a hard-back, fine-weave lampshade, a fine-line black paint pen, and acrylic paints. Just outline any desired design, brush on the color, and turn on the light.

Coat your dresser drawers (or any other piece of furniture) in two complementary colors, then cover the whole thing in a pearlescent glaze for sheen.

Master the steps for creating this high-impact look with our easy how-tos and suggestions for color combinations.

Don't be scared by the idea of painting on fabric. Our simple how-to will have you painting on microsuede like a pro in no time. And once you've mastered the skill, you can personalize every room in your home with custom-made pillows.

Bring texture to a room with a faux grass cloth paint treatment. It's a natural choice for plantation- and Asian-theme rooms, but also works in transitional and relaxed modern decor.

Paint waves of color on your walls in a subtly ascending pattern. Unexpected and refined, this color-blending technique is the perfect way to add an original finish to your rooms.

Get softly textured walls by topping tinted dimensional compound with a rich indigo glaze, then wiping it off so the color settles into the crevices for a dark-on-light pattern.

Imitate the look of Old World wallpaper with this jaw-dropping stenciling technique. Not for the faint of heart, this advanced project delivers fabulous results worth the effort.

Simple shapes look fabulous when painted on a room divider. Don't have a room divider? Don't worry -- just purchase three hollow-core doors and hinge them together after painting them.

Enlist a friend to help you paint a room, then drag glaze over it to create the woven texture of linen fabric. When you're done, return the favor and create this classic look in her home!

Layer square cutouts of medium-density fiberboard for super easy and inexpensive contemporary artwork. Give the backing a metallic hammered-pewter finish, then place a faux stone finish square over it and hang.

Go glam with a large-scale diamond pattern on a focal-point wall. Base-coat the wall, then lightly trace the diamonds onto it using a template cut from cardboard. Or, use a straightedge and level to measure each diamond by hand. Mark the top and bottom points of the diamond, then find its middle. From there, mark the horizontal left and right points. Tape the diamonds off and paint. For dimension, hammer upholstery tacks at the points where the diamonds intersect.

This lace-pattern painting technique provides plenty of drama for the effort. Let lace be your guide: Begin with a base coat in a dark color, then suspend a 3-yard length of lace from a rod hung at ceiling height, 4-5 feet from the wall. Light from an overhead projector casts a patterned shadow on the wall and guides the painting of motifs in a lighter hue. Use a flat artist's brush and interior paint right out of the can for this process. A dry-brush technique gives a transparent look, while a heavier hand provides greater contrast. Try shading for a more painterly effect. The final step is a color wash: sage-green paint mixed with glaze, applied in a single coat using a 4-inch brush.

Create a chambray-look wall by rolling a tinted glaze over a white or cream-color wall, then dragging a weaver brush vertically and horizontally through the wet glaze. The result? A stunning wall with subtle texture.

Evoke visions of the Far East with smart stenciling of bamboo interwoven with a flowering vine and birds. Layers of shading and highlighting add depth and detail to the design. With this technique, it's easy to mix and match elements from separate stencils to create the custom look you want.

If you need a floorcloth to perfectly match your home, why not use basic sponge painting to turn plain microsuede into exactly what you need? Simply paint off a geometric design, then get to work with latex paints and a sea sponge.

This technique is perfect for renters who want a home with personality but are restricted to white walls. Paint a mural on a canvas, then apply it over liner paper on your wall like wallpaper. When you're ready to move or put the mural in another room, simply peel it off the wall and paint over the liner paper.

Use your own color scheme and shapes to customize window treatments, a bed skirt, or even throw pillows. Our easy instructions for crafting your own stencils and sponge shapes make it simple to put your personality in your room.

Cover up a bare floor with a canvas-turned floorcloth that you've painted to match your style. Simply tape off stripes, paint, then use a paper plate as your guide for cutting scalloped edges.