How do I fade my room from dark at the top to light at the bottom?

Question

I'm painting my room and i wanted to do a faded look. I want to know how to make it have a fade look, from dark blue at the top to gradually fade into light blue at the bottom. Any tips? I'm not sure how to do this so if someone could tell me how or show me a site, that'd be GREAT! Thanks!

Answer 1

I would do a base coat of the light color,  then a little bit above the half way point paint it the darker shade, and take a slightly moist sponge and smear the in between, by using some of the darker shade mixed with the lighter shade, and then make it darker or lighter depending on how you want it.

Answer 2

I would have a can of the lightest color and one of the darkest color-paint with the lightest then add a little of the dark paint.  Keep adding a little more dark until you get to the top which will just be the darker color.  Another way to help the colors blend is to use a roller with texture.  That will help it blend.  Good luck-sounds beautiful!

Answer 3

I knew a pro who did custom work on motorcycles.  They use airbrushes.  I don't know how to do a good job otherwise.  You need to feather in (blend) the colors gradually.

After a good base of sealing primer, you could try it with a common sprayer and layer it on as you gradually make the paint a little darker with each section and spray lightly at the bend and heavier as you move up (down?).  I recommend light at top and dark at the bottom.  The other way will make your room look too dark and the lighter part at the bottom won't be noticed.

I'd start by making the ceiling a light color complementing the upper walls.  A sky blue ceiling blending with earth tone walls -- starting with aqua and blending down through greens to grass green at the bottom would be nice.  That would give it an outside feeling.  Other schemes with yellow-to-orange-to-(pale)red would work if you like bright stuff.  These are "rainbow" schemes but you can imagine others. There are as many schemes as colors.  Draw some on paper first to see how they look.  If you take your time and work carefully you will have a beautiful work of art.

If you spray, you will need to take everything out of the room, cover yourself with a painter’s protective suit and respirator.  Keep the door closed and windows open.  That stuff drifts with the air.  Seal the floor under plastic drop cloth.  Practice a sweeping motion, drawing away at the ends, outside on cardboard with a spray can, if you aren't experienced.  You will develop a good technique before you start the job.

You will need to work slowly, giving time for each color to fade from the room.  Otherwise, each darker will darken all of your previous work.  You could put cheap/old fans in the open windows to draw out the spray mist.  Pros use ventilated rooms to do that.  That way you can work right through.

You could try the other methods suggested but I don't know how you can keep it from looking patchy without spraying, unless you want a patchy look.