As avid DIY-er or home decor enthusiasts, we are always looking for new trends and projects to beautify our homes. As time pass, trends also change. What is in and hip today may not be trendy in the next few months or years. Just like the red brick in your living room, which you have been thinking about changing up – demolition or renovation? Now, these two options are viable if you have saved a lot of money. However, if you’re on a budget or not fully committed to an expensive renovation, having a whitewashed brick will do the trick. If you want to know more about whitewashing brick walls in your own home, read on.
What is Whitewashed Brick?
Whitewashed brick is basically a technique where you lighten or tone down the natural color of the brick by applying a slightly “washed-out” paint. By doing this, it lightens the tone of the brick while maintaining its texture as well as its original color – just muter and more subtle. This is a good technique to brighten up any room and a good compromise for those who don’t want to permanently paint their bricks. It is also less expensive than doing a full renovation.
Beginner’s Guide to Whitewashed Brick
Are you tired of your plain old red bricks? Do you want to lighten and invite more light to your room? Here is how you can whitewash your brick:
- First, prepare your materials. Here are the tools and materials you’re going to need:
- White Interior Latex Paint + Primer
- Painters Tape
- Rags
- Grease Dissolving Detergent
- Mixing Bucket/Paint Tray
- Scrub Brush
- Sash Brush
- Spray Bottle
- Gloves
- Safety Glasses
- Once you’ve got all your tools and materials, the first thing you should do is clean and thoroughly wash the brick with a scrub brush. Make sure to remove any buildup dust and soot especially around the fireplace. Let it dry.
- Carefully check the bricks for chips and damages, repair them, and apply a primer after. Once you’ve got a nice surface to work on. Protect the surrounding area and the floor with a piece of plastic or cardboard, and tape it down with painter’s tape.
- For the actual painting part, pour equal parts of white latex paint and water into a mixing bucket or paint tray. Mix them consistently.
- Before you apply the mixed paint, moisten the brick you’re going to work on. Fill the spray bottle with water and lightly mist the area you’re going to whitewash. Avoid leaving drips and while the brick is still moist, apply the mixed paint with a clean rag and wipe or dab it on the brick.
- If the paint you applied through the rag is too thin, you can use a paintbrush to apply the paint and then just dab it with the rag. Make sure to reach the nooks and edges of each brick.
- Do the steps above until you covered the whole area. Assess the surface if the color is consistent, if the color is a bit much, you can blot the area with water. Meanwhile, if the paint’s too thin, you apply another coat by repeating the steps. Leave it to dry overnight.
That’s how you do a whitewashed brick! Fairly easy, isn’t it?