The Accent Wall Techniques I Wish a Professional Painter Had Shown Me Sooner

As a professional painter, I have a method for accent walls that works well for me, but you can try it at your own risk. One thing to consider is whether you're working with smooth or textured walls. Personally, I use a Purdy Chinex Brush for textured walls and a Purdy Pro-Extra Brush for smooth ones. This method can be done with almost any brush. Ultimately, it’s not the brush that makes the difference—it’s the painter. 

I’ve tried several methods throughout my painting career, and my favorite for accent walls is freehanding. I know it sounds intimidating, but I believe it’s the best method, especially since we rarely deal with perfectly straight corners to begin with. It’s less about the achieving an actual straight line and more about the illusion of one—a good painter tricks the eye into thinking the line is straight, even when the walls may be slightly uneven. 

When I first started, I used to tape the sides, caulk, and remove the tape right away. While this method can work, you might encounter issues like peeling paint or highlighting imperfections on the wall corners. That said, here’s the method I’ve developed over time, which has consistently proven successful. 

I usually begin by cleaning and taping off the baseboards, cabinets, or countertops attached to the accent wall with FrogTape Multi-Surface. I leave the caulking for the final coat only. Once everything is taped, you can start cutting in. If you can cut a straight line at the top, you should be able to do the same on the sides. Essentially, treat the sides like the top. It’s important to move slowly and steadily to avoid unnecessary movement that could cause you to hit the adjacent walls. I sometimes pause and slow down when it gets tricky because fast movements can be your worst enemy. 

I like to use a small roller, such as Purdy Mini Roller with a Purdy Mini Nap along with a Purdy Pail for the paint, to go over my brush marks. Again, move slowly to avoid splattering on the other walls. This also helps when using a larger roller, like the Purdy Roller with a Purdy Nap and a Purdy Extension Pole for reach, as it keeps you from getting too close to the edges. If a mistake happens, be sure to have touch-up paint or quickly wipe it away with a damp rag. Also, cut in at the bottom just as you would at the top, and avoid applying too much paint to prevent it from seeping under the tape onto your baseboards. 

When you're ready for the final coat, caulk the bottom with Alex Plus Acrylic Latex Caulk and cut everything in. If the caulk is correctly sealed, you can apply the paint more freely without worrying about the paint seeping under the tape. Roll the entire wall and peel off the tape immediately. If you wait too long, the caulk can dry and peel the paint along with it. If that happens, peel the tape slowly or use a utility knife like the Milwaukee FastBack, if necessary to prevent paint from being pulled off the wall. If done correctly, you should have a professional-looking finish.