How to Paint a Corner Where Two Colors Meet

Painting a room can help customize its design and give character to any space. However, it can be challenging if you want to paint walls in two different colors, as you want to have a clear and sharp line without the two colors bleeding into each other.

Here’s how to paint a corner where two colors meet in 6 easy steps:

1. Paint one side of the wall.

2. Wait for the wall to dry.

3. Apply painter’s tape on the corner wall.

4. Repaint the corner wall.

5. Paint the other side of the wall.

6. Remove the painter’s tape.

Want to test your DIY painting skills with two-tone walls? Keep reading as we teach you how to do it right. This article also covers the following:

• What is an accent wall
• The types of tools you’ll need
• The process of applying paint and tape
• The method of removing painter’s tape
• Some quick tips and tricks

What is an Accent Wall?

An accent wall is a wall that differs in design or color from the other walls in the room. It is meant to provide a different aesthetic and can be used to create a bold and modern look. In general, the two colors are dramatically different, but they can be any desired color.

Painting a wall may seem like a simple task, but painting two differently-colored walls can be a bit trickier.

To paint an accent wall, you’ll need to gather the appropriate tools, and here’s a list of what you’ll need to successfully execute this design project:

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Painter’s tape

MaxMan 2-piece brush set with angled sashes – Here’s a brush set from Amazon that helps create a crisp and clean edge when painting.

Two colors of paint

Primer

Towels

Paint tray

Extra brushes

Once you have everything ready, here’s how to paint a corner where two colors meet:

1. Paint One Side of the Wall

Assuming you have already applied primer, start by applying paint as you would normally on one side of the wall. At this point, there’s no need to create a clean or sharp line at the edge of the wall. You can be a bit messy if needed because you don’t want to miss any spots.

2. Wait for the Wall to Dry

If you understand what type of paint you’re using, you’ll have a better estimation of when it will dry. After all, you’ll need to wait for the paint to fully dry before proceeding to the next step.

Here’s an estimation of how quickly certain types of paint dry:

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Latex paint. Latex-based paints are water-based and much thinner than oil-based paints. It doesn’t have a glossy finish and can appear more matte. As such, it takes only one to four hours for latex paint to fully dry.

Oil-based paints. Oil-based paints are typically thicker, more durable, and are also water-resistant. The paint also has a glossy finish, which may take six to eight hours to fully dry. However, one should wait at least 24 hours before applying another coat on top.

Other factors that can affect paint drying time

If you’ve waited for the designated time but found the paint to still be wet, other factors may come into play that causes it to dry slower.

• Temperature. If the temperature drops, the paint will thicken and take longer to dry.
• Humidity. High humidity exposes the paint to water vapor, which can slow down drying and also ruin the finish.

3. Apply Painter’s Tape on the Corner Wall

Once the paint is dry, you’ll need to attach painter’s tape on the corner of the wall you just painted. Make sure to align the edge of the tape so that it’s perfectly perpendicular to the corner. The straighter the tape, the sharper the line will be.

Additionally, you should work in small strips to make it easier to apply the tape. If needed, you may also need to use multiple layers of tape to ensure enough coverage to prevent paint from bleeding onto the wall.

4. Repaint the Corner Wall

It may seem a bit tedious, but you’ll need to repaint over the tape to have it be the first color that shows when it bleeds through. This helps ‘seal’ the paint, and if anything seeps through, it’ll be the same as the base color.

Once you’ve repainted the corner, let the paint dry before moving on to the next step.

5. Paint the Other Side of the Wall

Now that the paint is dry, proceed to carefully paint the other side with the second color, ensuring no paint gets on the other wall. Using the 2-inch angled brush is helpful when applying paint near the corner. The brush is ideal as it creates a clean line without the risk of smudging paint onto the edge of the tape.

6. Remove the Painter’s Tape

Unlike the first time, peel off the tape before it dries. This is because you don’t want to peel off the top layer of paint and ruin the sharp edge. To avoid smudging, slowly peel off the tape.

Applying paint can be challenging, especially if you’ve never created clear edges before. Here’s a demonstration by FrogTape on how to paint a wall with accents:

Tips for Applying Painter’s Tape

When applying painter’s tape, you’ll need to get it right the first time. If you don’t, you might end up with blotchy lines that don’t resemble a straight line at all.

Here are some tips that might be helpful when applying painter’s tape:

• Always let the paint dry before applying the tape. Applying tape on wet paint can cause it to smudge and become uneven.
• Apply in strips of 2-3 feet wide. Apply painter’s tape in two to three-foot-long sections to reduce the number of bends and folds.
• Apply tape from the roll. Instead of taking strips and cutting them before applying, make sure to do it directly from the painter’s tape roll to prevent accidental misalignment.
• Use a level. Using a level can help you achieve a perfect line. Place it at the edge of the wall and draw a straight line with a pencil, which will serve as a guide when applying the tape.

Tips for Removing Painter’s Tape

Another struggle we often observe with homeowners is that they remove the tape too late or too early. There’s an ideal timing for when to remove the tape and a technique for how to tear it off.

Here are some tips that might be helpful when removing painter’s tape:

• Remove quickly. Painter’s tape should be removed within thirty minutes but before six hours. You’ll want to wait long enough for the paint not to smear, but you shouldn’t wait too long, as the paint can peel a part of the topcoat.
• Remove old tape. If you’re making multiple sections, remember to remove old tape permanently, as paint tends to bleed through the tape. If you don’t remove it, the colors could mix.
• Use a razor if needed. Use a razor blade to score the edge of the tape before removing it. This helps loosen the surrounding paint and makes it easier to tear off without taking any of the paint with it.

FAQs

• Can I use any tape? You can use any tape, but painter’s tape is specifically designed to come off easily. The tape can adhere to several types of surfaces and still peel off, including glass, metal, wood, and vinyl. Moreover, it remains easy to remove, even with direct UV exposure.
• Can you easily paint two corners on all types of walls? The wall’s texture can heavily influence the end result. To ensure you get a sharp edge, you may need to apply joint compound or use special brushes to achieve a clean edge.
• Do I need to prepare my walls before painting? Before applying paint, thoroughly clean your walls. From there, you should also prime any marks. Doing so will make the result look better and allow the paint to apply smoothly.
• What is the best painter’s tape? FrogTape Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape is the most popular brand of tape. The brand offers several types of tapes designed for different painting situations. The advantages of using FrogTape are that it prevents bleeding, is easy to tear off, and is easy to apply.

Conclusion

It may be tedious to have to repeat painter’s tape on a wall you’ve already painted. However, adding an accent wall can help create a more modern and homely atmosphere.

While you could quickly call a professional painter, it may be more cost-effective to do it yourself when painting an accent wall. Once you learn the right technique, you’ll easily paint corners without smudging.

We hope this article has been helpful, and have fun painting!