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The Goods·DIY

DIY ombre: How to paint an eye-catching statement wall

Here's how you can paint your own beautiful ombre wall at home.
CBC Life ·

When designer Trish Johnston featured this fabulous 'ombre wall' on our show as part of a kid's room, we received a TON of messages from viewers, eager to get the look for their space. So, Steven wanted to show everyone just how easy it is to do it yourself at home!

For those who aren't sure what exactly ombre is, think of a paint chip. Ombre is the gradual blending of one colour hue to another, and it usually goes from light to dark. Martha Stewart calls it a transition from wakefulness to slumber!

Here's how you can DIY your own ombre wall:

What you'll need:

  • Small paint roller (one for each of your colours)
  • Spray bottle with water
  • Stain/bristle brushes
  • 3 paint cans of the same colour but in different levels of intensity (light/medium/dark)
  • Artist's canvas (if not painting on a wall)
  • An old t-shirt to use as a rag

Directions:

1. Paint wall white. If using a canvas, skip this step, as canvas is already primed.

2. Start painting from bottom with darkest colour, stopping at about 1/3 of the way up. Don't do straight lines. Vary the height of each line, almost as if it mimics a mountain range.

3. Paint the next colour close to the line of the previous colour. Leave a small amount of white paint between each colour. Don't go over the the previous colour with the new colour.

4. Continue with the third colour the same way.

5. Go over the area with darkest colour with another coat, using a 'dry brush'. Lightly spritz water over the line where two colours meet and using a swirling motion with a wide bristle brush, work the darker colour upwards up into the light colour so it fades out. Blur the line further with an old rag. Continue to blend with rag and brush.

6. Do the same where the other colours meet until you get the desired effect.

Audience member Becky helped Steven with the ombre wall. She was excited to learn how to DIY it for her daughter's bedroom! 

Resource Guide:

Para Paints

Pinks

  • Forever Pink (P5085-63)
  • Lasting Pink (P5085-51)
  • Pretty in Pink (P5085-44D)

Yellows

  • Flower Power (P5054-52)
  • Spring Break (P5054-41)
  • Cool & Casual (P5054-34)

Blues

  • Riff (P5012-41)
  • Cross Rhythm (P5012-52D)
  • Blues (P5012-63)