How to Paint a Striped Wall

By: Jennifer Stimpson, This Old House magazine

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. 1-inch Delicate-adhesion Painter's Tape Double the total number of wall stripes, and multiply that number by the height of the wall to determine how much tape you'll need. A roll is about 180 feet long, and you'll need a roll or two extra.

2. Paint Cups with Disposable Trays Get one paint cup for each color.

3. Paint Avoid the need for a second coat by choosing a premium latex paint.

4. Drop Cloth

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Sanding Pole
  fitted with 120-grit sandpaper sponge
- ¼x2-inch Stick
  cut to the length of the repeating pattern
- 4-foot Level
- Plastic Putty Knife
  to seal the tape before painting
- 1-inch and 2½-inch angled paintbrushes
  Get one brush per paint color
- 4-inch Roller Frame with Foam Covers
  Get one frame and cover per paint color
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vertical stripes painted to liven up a roomHow to Paint a Striped Wall

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Photo: Kolin Smith

Introduction
Overview
Steps:
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10 hours
$150 for a 10-ft. wall

Difficulty: Easy Taping the stripes isn't hard, but it requires patience and precision

You know that a pop of color on an accent wall is a great way to bring new hues into your palette. It makes a splash without pricey accessories or wall coverings. But why stop at one color when a striped pattern can pull in an entire array of cheerful options? All it takes is a little strategy. Read on to see how This Old House senior technical editor Mark Powers gets away with two rounds of taping to put up this five-stripe pattern.

Paint: Benjamin Moore's Natura semigloss in Eccentric Lime, Lucky Charm Green, Splash, Yosemite Blue, Super White