Sponge painting is by no means a brand new idea, but faux finishes in general continue #to grow# in popularity. It seems that there #is a# unceasing flow of new or efficient methods designed to bring the latest look in wall décor into your home. The problem is that a number of the techniques require a little more skill and time than a number of #people are# willing to invest. Whilst you might be hesitant to try some of the more elaborate faux finishes. Sponge painting remains probably the simplest ways to add some visual interest to your walls.

There's several ways you can use sponge painting to produce #a faux# finish, and #below are# two of the best ideas. Both ideas involve the use of glaze, #and the# techniques can be completed by anyone - no unusual skills are required!

Before applying the faux finish, make sure you properly prepare your walls.

· Wash walls by wiping them using a damp sponge. When dry, give them a wipe with a lint free cloth to get rid of any stray particles.

· Tape off all areas that you don't want #to get# paint on for example molding and window frames. Be sure to use a top quality painter's tape so that you will not remove the finish from areas which were taped.

· If you are applying a color that is lighter than the current wall color, you will need to apply at least one coat of good quality primer. #Even if# that isn't the case, you may consider applying primer so that the new paint can have a fresh foundation. Once you've prepared your walls, you are ready to start. Glazing can be completed in any color you select, so there is no limits to your creativity. This technique is simply a coat of glazing applied over a base coat to accomplish #a faux# finish.

Once the bottom coat has been applied, apply the faux glaze in small sections. The glaze is made by mixing your paint color with faux glaze. #To cover# an area of around 400 square feet, you will need #to mix# one quart of paint #to one# gallon of glaze.

Method One

. Use a roller #to apply# the glaze to the wall, making sure that excess paint has been removed from your roller before beginning.

· Next, dab with #a slightly# dampened sea sponge. First, dab at the edges left from the roller and then dab the complete area.

· It is vital to complete dabbing before the glaze dries, so you will have #to work# swiftly. When the sponge has #a lot of# glaze on it, rinse the sponge and continue. Use all sides on the sponge so #that you# can achieve a random pattern.

· Continue, taking care to blend away all hard edges with the sponge.

Method Two

This method uses an identical glaze mixture as the first one, but #for this# idea you will not roll the glaze onto the wall. Instead, it #is going to# be applied using the sponge.

· Place #a damp# sea sponge into the glaze mixture, and take off the excess.

· Starting in a corner, dab the glaze onto the wall.

· You can actually apply #as much# or as little of the glaze #as you# want, just continue until you like the effect which has been achieved.

· Continue adding glaze to the sponge as required, being careful not to apply too much glaze. The sponge shouldn't be soaked with glaze.

· #As you# work, be sure to blend each section into the other. You don't want #to leave# any hard lines behind.

· You may also choose to add a further coat of glaze in a different color. This would add #a look# of depth to your walls.

These two sponge techniques are ideal for newbies who want to achieve #a faux# finish. Attempt it this weekend and discover how you can easily change your room in only one day!