With the popularity of faux painting and the wide range of specialty tools and finishes available in paint stores, even an artistic klutz can not only lighten paint on walls but can add depth and interest too. Rather than repaint dark walls, it's possible to modify and lighten the color. You have quite a few options, from sponging to ragging, glazing to color washing. Most techniques will require a smaller investment in both time and materials than repainting and will result in a lighter, more impressive finish.
Instructions
1. Make sure the dark wall is clean and in reasonably good condition. A faux finish will disguise minor imperfections, but you need to fix cracks, nail holes and other obvious flaws before continuing. Prime over the caulking or repairs with two coats of the dark color.
2. Choose a faux technique. There are many to choose from, but one of the easiest is color washing. If you have some of the dark color paint, use it to paint a piece of cardboard so you can experiment with the lightening technique before starting on the walls.
3. Bearing in mind that you will get between 350 to 400 square feet of coverage per gallon of paint and glaze, mix faux glaze with a lighter shade of the wall color.
4. Experiment to find a ratio that works. The more paint you add, the less translucent the finish will be. One qt. of paint to a gallon of glaze will give you a fairly subtle and translucent effect; reverse that ratio for a more opaque and lighter look. Mix enough for the whole room.
5. Prepare the area for painting. Mask trim and adjacent walls with 2-inch blue painter's tape. Move furniture away from the walls, remove art work, window treatments and switch plate covers, and protect the floor with drop cloths.
6. Apply the glaze mixture with a 3- or 4-inch brush. Work in random, choppy strokes and avoid over-working a single area. Use a light touch. It's easier to go back after it's dried and fill in light spots than to try to fix heavy or muddy-looking texture.
7. Allow the finish to dry for at least 8 hours before putting the room back together.
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