Color Washing is a technique that adds texture and age to walls in order to create a finish that has color and depth for your décor. The process is simple to follow and can be accomplished by anyone with a desire to present a different affect that just standard paint in a room. Of course, the color washing effect can also be used on other surfaces as well, such as furniture.

To color wash walls you will first need to apply a base coat of flat paint in the color that best suits the style of your room. Once this is complete, mix your glaze for the color wash effect in a darker color than the base coat on the wall. It is advisable to add a neutral base to the glaze, as this will allow the glaze to dry with a more translucent tone, giving the walls more of a color washed effect.

Now apply the glaze coat to the color washed wall with a sponge. When this is complete, and while the wall is still wet, apply a second coat of glaze lightly to even out both applications. A third coat of glaze can be applied again to the color washed wall after a two hour wait time if a deeper glaze color is desired on the color washed surface.

While this color washed process is intended to create an aged look to the walls, you will want to pay close attention to the strokes that are used when applying the glaze. The more strokes that are present, the more the color washed wall will appear to be "aged". Therefore, if you desire a minimal color washed effect on your walls you will want to soften the sponge strokes with a dry sponge prior to the glaze completely drying.