Learn how to give a blank wall some personality with polka dots. Polka dots are a great decorative painting technique for your walls. Read the steps below on how to paint polka dots to your wall.

Watch the Video on How to Paint Polka Dots

Supplies Needed:

  • Two different paint colors - Basecoat and coordinating color for polka dot pattern

  • Premade circle stencil or blank stencil sheets. Available at craft stores and online retailers.

  • Compass, round object(s) for pattern

  • Pen knife

  • 1" or 2" low-tack/safe-release tape

  • 9" roller frame and cover

  • Stencil or small brush

  • Roller pan with liner

  • Tape measure, carpenters level, pencil

Step 1:

When you have all your supplies ready, and the room cleared for painting, paint your base coat of paint on the wall using one of the two colors you have decided to use. Let it dry at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.

Step 2:

Make stencils for the dots. Use a compass to trace circles on stencil sheets. If you don't have a compass, use a round object like a dinner plate. Cut the circles out of the sheet with a sharp pen knife using safe cutting practices to create your stencil. If you want a variety of dot sizes, use a variety of size patterns and cut out different-sized circles.

Step 3:

Decide on your pattern and mark with light pencil mark or a small piece of tape where the center of each polka dot will be on the wall.

Step 4:

Tape your stencil to the wall using low-tack/safe-release tape.

Step 5:

Using your stencil brush or small paint brush start painting from the outer edge of the circle towards the center to avoid paint seeping under the stencil. Remove the stencil carefully. Do this for all circles. You many need a second coat depending on your desired results.

Video Transcription:

Looking to make a room more playful and bold?

Try polka-dots.

They give rooms a sense of organization while making them lively.

It's easy to create your own unique design.

All it takes is a little imagination.

In this video, we'll show you how to paint polka-dots on a wall

Step 1: Preparation.

Think about the design you'd like to create on your walls.

How many colors do you want to use?

How many dots?

Will the dots be large or small?

Once you've determined your design, gather the right tools for your project at your neighborhood Sherwin Williams store.

Choose your paint colors.

One color is the basecoat and the others are coordinating colors which create the polka dot pattern.

Make sure you have the following supplies: A compass or round objects to create the dots, pen knife, one or two inch Low-Tack Safe-Release tape, a nine inch roller frame and cover, small brush, roller pan with liner, tape measure and a pencil.

You'll also need a pre-made circle stencil or blank stencil sheets to make your dots.

A variety of stencils are available at local craft stores or online.

Step 2: Paint the basecoat.

You can use your existing wall color as the basecoat or apply a new color.

If you apply a new color, let it dry for at least four hours, or overnight for best results.

Step 3: Make stencils for the dots.

Use a compass to trace circles on the stencil sheets.

If you don't have a compass, simply use a round object like a dinner plate.

Carefully cut the circles out using a sharp pen knife

If you want a variety of dot sizes, create a pattern for each circle size and cut them out.

Step 4: Design your dot pattern on the wall.

Determine where you want the dots on the wall and mark the center of each dot with a light pencil mark or piece of tape.

Then attach each dot stencil to the wall using Los Tack Safe-Release tape.

The last step is to paint the dots.

Using a small paintbrush, work from the outer edge of the circle towards the center to avoid paint seeping under the stencil.

Then carefully remove the stencil.

Do this for all the dots.

You may need to apply a second coat depending on the look you want to achieve.

Creating original art on your walls is easy with Sherwin-Williams.

Whether you go large or small, polka dots add a vibrant feel to any room.

For more information about other decorative techniques or Sherwin-Williams, visit sherwin-williams.com