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How to get a limewash effect with paint

A textured lime wash paint on the wall

Overview

A limewash-style wall finish is a beautiful way to add warmth and character to any room. With its soft, cloudy look that shifts subtly with the light, it’s perfect for creating a calm, natural feel. Best of all, you don’t need specialised limewash paint, just two complementary colours and a clever painting technique. Here’s how to achieve a limewash effect with regular wall paint.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

1Prepare your space

Start by clearing the room and moving furniture away from the walls so you have space to work, and protect your flooring with drop sheets. Take down any pictures, hooks, or cover plates. Next, give your walls a thorough clean using sugar soap to remove dust and grime. If you notice any cracks or holes, fill them in and sand the surface smooth.
Prepare floor with drop sheets

2Apply an undercoat and choose your colours

Once your surface is clean and dry, apply an undercoat or primer if the current paint isn’t in a good condition. This helps seal the surface and provides a consistent base for your limewash effect paint. Let the undercoat dry completely before moving on. Then, for the limewashing, select two tones that work well together. One will be your base (or primary) colour, and the other will provide the layered texture. Keep the contrast gentle - this effect is meant to feel natural and soft, not bold. Both paints should be matte so the finish remains velvety and subtle.
Apply an undercoat using a paint roller

3Cut in around the edges

Begin painting by cutting in with your primary colour. Use a paint brush to paint around trims, corners, and the edges of the wall. Keep your brushstrokes loose and slightly feathered. This will help the limewash layers blend seamlessly in the next stage.
Paint around the edges with a paint brush

4Set up your paint tray

To blend colours easily as you paint, create a divider in the centre of your paint tray using waterproof tape. Pour one colour on each side of the divider, then dip just the tips of your block brush lightly across both paints. Avoid overloading the brush - wipe off any excess to maintain a light, blended effect once you apply it to the wall.
Set up a paint tray by creating divider

5Apply the limewash effect

Start painting in the middle of the wall using broad, crisscross or swirling motions. Think of painting clouds - your movements should feel fluid and spontaneous. Blend the two colours as you go, maintaining a consistent orientation of your brush so that the light and dark areas stay defined. Keep the edges of each section wet to avoid hard lines forming. Work across the wall in small areas, and step back regularly to check how the finish is developing.
Apply the limewash effect with a crisscross or swirling motions

6Finishing touches

If the wall needs a little more variation or texture after drying, you can go over it again using the same light layering technique. Don’t worry about perfection. The more organic your brushstrokes, the more authentic the finish will look. Let the limewash paint dry completely before removing any masking tape. Once dry, the result will be a beautiful, soft limewash-style texture with gentle colour movement that enhances your space.
Add final touches and texture after paint dries.

7Now that you've learnt how to get a limewash effect with paint

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Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.