Hand painted wallpaper is a quick and inexpensive way to add a little extra something to any room! Follow these easy steps to create a brushstroke accent wall!

Hand Painted Wallpaper: How to Easily Create a Brushstroke Accent Wall

If you’ve been following along with this pre-teen boys bedroom makeover, you might remember I wanted something special for one of the walls. The black accent wall didn’t work out because it made the room look way too small, so I had to scrap that idea.

Painting white over black was a bit of a hassle, but it was definitely worth it. The space looks so much better now!

Okay, back to the hand painted wallpaper.

That’s when I thought the desk nook would be the perfect spot for something unique. But since the area was pretty small, I didn’t want to spend money on wallpaper—especially since hanging it is a whole project in itself.

brushstroke accent wall desk nook with hand painted wallpaper

Plus, I already had some red paint left over from another project, so for the cost of a brush, I decided to try painting my own wallpaper. It turned out to be the perfect finishing touch—fun, fast, and easy to do. If you’re curious about how to do this yourself, keep reading!

Just a friendly reminder: This tutorial and any opinions or recommendations are genuinely mine, but this is not a substitute for consulting a professional. I also use affiliate links to earn a commission.

What is Hand Painted Wallpaper?

desk nook with hand painted wallpaper in a red brushstroke design

desk nook with a brushstroke hand painted wallpaper design

Hand painted wallpaper is exactly what it sounds like: a fun way to get the look of wallpaper using paint. Instead of dealing with rolls of wallpaper and sticky paste, you simply use paint to create your own design directly on the wall.

The beauty of DIY painted wallpaper is that you can design your own unique pattern, making it easy to customize to fit your space and style. It’s a straightforward and budget-friendly way to add a personal touch to any room.

hand painted brushstroke wallpaper in red

Why DIY Hand Painted Wallpaper?

When I was figuring out how to add something special to this room, hand painted wallpaper felt like the perfect fit. With moving day right around the corner and still having a bunch of projects to finish, I needed something that wouldn’t cost much or take forever to finish.

I wanted to make the room really special for my boy, but I didn’t want to add more stress to my already full plate.

red brushstroke hand painted wallpaper desk nook

The idea of buying and hanging wallpaper didn’t really appeal to me—it’s expensive, and the process can be a hassle.

Plus, since the area I was working with was small, it seemed like too much effort for such a little payoff. Not to mention, with how little I needed, it felt like a waste. So, I decided to paint my own design.

Hand Painting Wallpaper Tools + Supplies

Before you dive into your hand painted wallpaper project, you’ll want to gather a few basic supplies. The good news is, you don’t need much to get started! I’ve linked everything you’ll need right here, so you can easily grab what you need and get going.

1 inch brush for brushstroke wallpaper pattern

Paint: Since I already had some leftover red paint, I used that, but feel free to choose whatever works for your space.
1-Inch Brush: A small, 1-inch brush is perfect for creating custom lines and patterns. It gives you control over the design and lets you vary the thickness of your lines easily.
Painter’s Tape (Optional): Since I had just finished painting my trim, I used painter’s tape to prevent the red paint from seeping onto it. It helped me get close to the edges and make the design look seamless and clean.
Step Stool or Ladder: Depending on the height of your wall, you might need a step stool or ladder to reach the top.
Wet Rag: I kept a wet rag handy for touch-ups and quickly cleaning up any paint drips. It’s especially useful for fixing those small mistakes as you go.

With these simple tools and supplies, you’re all set to get started!

How to Hand Paint Brushstrokes to Look Like Wallpaper

Here’s how I hand painted an accent wall to look like wallpaper without a stencil:

Free handing the Brushstroke Design

I quickly checked out Pinterest and decided I liked the look of spaced lines or also called brushstrokes. I chose to go freehand because it felt way more relaxed and personal. I let creativity take the lead and just went for it. There’s something so satisfying about going with the flow and seeing where your creativity takes you, without stressing over templates or stencils.

Angle of the Brush

One of the fun parts of this project was experimenting with the brush angle. As I worked, I noticed that the direction in which I held the brush changed the look of the lines. To keep the pattern feeling more organic, I randomly alternated between holding the brush up and down and flipping it over. This added a nice variety to the design and prevented it from looking too perfect.

Amount of Paint

I used a small amount of paint to prevent drips and keep the design clean. I wiped away the excess on the side of the can, leaving essentially very little paint on the brush. This helped me maintain control and avoid any unwanted drips or smudges.

Keeping It Perfectly Imperfect

Line Lengths: I mixed things up by varying the lengths of the lines—some were long, some short. There was no set pattern for how many long or short lines, as I kept it as random as possible. I also staggered each one, kind of like a brick lay tile pattern, so none of the lines start or stop at the exact same spot.
Spacing: To keep everything balanced, I made sure the lines were straight up and down and spaced as evenly as possible.Instead of measuring, I just eyed it to keep things looking natural.

Stepping Back to Review

Periodic Checks: Every so often, I’d step back to check the design. From the back of the room, I made sure the lines were straight, evenly spaced, and nothing looked off. This quick check helped me catch any issues and see how the pattern was shaping up.
Fixing Mistakes: I used a damp rag to carefully wipe away any drips. I made sure to be very careful, only letting the rag touch the areas where there were mistakes and avoiding any other parts of the wall. This way, I could fix small issues without messing up the rest of the design.
Final Tweaks: At the end, I took a final step back and adjusted any areas that caught my eye. I fixed spots where the lines looked off by thickening or extending them to balance the design and maintain a random feel.

The beauty of this project is how quick and easy it was, yet the transformation exceeded my expectations. The power of paint wins again!

If you’re thinking about giving this a try, go for it! Hand painting wallpaper is a fun, simple project that makes a big impact without breaking the bank.

It’s a great way to add a personal touch to any room and boost your DIY confidence in no time.