How to Paint an Ombre Wall

One day, one change: Brighten up your bedroom by painting a pink-and-gray focal wall with these step-by-step instructions. 

Laurie-March-pink-ombre-bedroom-wall_s4x3

Related To:

Materials Needed

  • tape measure
  • paint roller
  • paint tray and liners
  • wide paintbrush
  • 1 gallon of gray paint
  • 1 gallon of light gray paint
  • 1 gallon of salmon pink paint

Get Started

Clean your surface. Wipe down and remove anything on the wall you'll be painting. Whenever possible, remove all furniture in the room to give yourself room to work. Cover anything you cannot move and all floors with thick plastic to prevent spills and slips.

Start With the Lightest Paint

Begin by painting the entire wall the lightest shade of paint and let it dry. Instead of using a primer first, buy paints that have primer mixed in. This ensures good coverage on the wall, which will make a fresh surface for your paint treatment to blend. Don't skimp on the paint.

Original-ODOC-Laurie-March-white-ombre-paint-wall_s4x3

Divide the Wall Into Sections

To achieve an ombre look, measure three equal sections on your wall and mark lightly in pencil. The top section will be the lightest color. The darkest color goes at the bottom, leaving the third color for the center.

Original-ODOC-Laurie-March-measure-ombre-wall_s4x3

Paint Middle Section and Blend

Paint the middle section with the second-lightest color, leaving 6" of room between the edges of each section. In a timely manner, hold a dry brush at a 45 degree angle to blend.

Go Dark at the Bottom

Paint the darkest hue at the bottom of the wall, leaving a foot between color sections. 

Pro Tip - For a more subtle ombre that's in the same color family, consider choosing three colors that are on the same paint chip. Stay away from the darkest color if you can, for a more soothing palette. If drama is what you're looking for, then consider a bold hue for your darkest color, but select your color with care.

Original-ODOC-Laurie-March-roller-gray-paint_s4x3

Mix Shades

The real trick to an ombre paint treatment is in creating two additional color blends by mixing the lightest color with the middle color, and the middle color with the darkest color. These two additional colors allow you to "blend" the three main colors on the wall.  

Original-ODOC-Laurie-March-mix-ombre-paint_s4x3

Blend, Blend, Blend

Use the first new color to paint the 6" gap between the lightest and middle color. Then, taking a dry brush and holding it at an angle, quickly blend up until you meet the next color section. Use the second new color to paint the 6" gap between the middle and dark color and repeat the blending technique. Continue to brush the three sections together until you achieve the level ombre you desire. 

Original-ODOC-Laurie-March-paint-pink-ombre-wall_s4x3

Next Up

Income Property Flips to Sell

See how some motivated home sellers renovated a kitchen and bathroom in less than three weeks. 

How to Cover an Old Tile Backsplash With Beadboard

If your kitchen backsplash is ready for a facelift but your budget isn't, consider beadboard paneling as an affordable option. It can be installed right over your existing tile, and it's easy and affordable.

How to Turn a Standard Cabinet into a Kitty Litter Station

Cats make great companions, but the odor and mess of their litter box isn't always ideal. See how we turned a standard laminate cabinet into a kitty station complete with litter box containment, storage and an all-important nap spot.

Build a Flip-Down Kitchen Table

Got a small kitchen? Try this easy do-it-yourself project with step-by-step instructions on building and installing a flip-down table for two.

How to Install Tin Ceiling Tiles

Get the look of 1920's glamour on your ceiling with unbelievably real-looking fake tin tiles.

How to Cover a Refrigerator With Removable Wallpaper

If you're a renter or a homeowner who is stuck with a dingy fridge, give it a makeover with removeable wallpaper. It's an easy project that won't cost a lot, and when your lease is up, you can just peel off the wallpaper. 

How to Build and Install a Sliding Door

See how we added privacy between bedroom and bathroom with a sliding barn door.

How to Simply Paint a Room

Learn how to paint both walls and molding like a pro with these simple steps.

How to Paint a DIY Mountain Wall Mural

HGTV shows you how to create a custom mountainscape painting. It is easy; no advanced artistic skills are required. It’s also inexpensive, and you can make it any size and color palette you want.

More from:

The House Counselor

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.