Painting Accent Walls with Frog Tape

If you love adding personality to a room, painting an accent wall is one of the easiest ways to make a big change without repainting the entire space.

This project started after I painted my son's chalkboard wall, and naturally, my daughter decided she needed a special wall of her own.

I chose a bright pink paint color and used Frog Tape to create a clean edge around the wall without getting paint on the surrounding surfaces.

There's still plenty left to do in this room, but for now, you and I can admire that pretty pink wall!

Supply List

• ProGrade Orange Painter's Tape
• Paint (I used Sherwin-Williams Impatiens Petal)
• Paint Brush and Roller

Prepare the Accent Wall for Paint

Before you open the paint can, take a few minutes to prepare the room. It's not the exciting part, but good prep makes painting go much faster.

Move furniture away from the wall and remove artwork, outlet covers, switch plates, and any hardware that could get in your way.

Cover the floor and anything nearby that you don't want accidentally decorated with pink paint. Not that I've ever done that. 😉

Wipe down the wall, baseboard, and any moldings or trim where you'll be applying painter's tape. The surface should be clean, dry, and free from dust so the tape can adhere properly.

If you have nail holes or other small imperfections, this is also a good time to fill and sand them.

A bold color can make small flaws more noticeable, so starting with a smooth wall gives you the best finish.

Choose the Right Wall

A feature wall works best when there's already a natural reason for your eye to land there.

That might be the wall behind a bed, a dining room wall, the wall surrounding a fireplace, or another area with an interesting architectural detail. Even in small spaces, one carefully chosen wall can add color without making the entire room feel busy.

In my daughter's bedroom, this wall was the perfect candidate. The room is pretty large and a little boxy, so adding a strong color gave this area more personality.

I chose Sherwin-Williams Impatiens Petal, a cheerful pink that definitely isn't afraid of being noticed.

When you're choosing paint colors, bring home samples from the paint store and look at them on the actual wall throughout the day. Natural and artificial light can change a color quite a bit, especially with a bright shade.

Tape the Wall

Now we're ready to tape everything off.

For this project, I used FrogTape ProGrade Orange Painter's Tape. It has high adhesion and is designed to stick quickly to a variety of surfaces.

According to FrogTape, ProGrade Orange does not contain the PaintBlock Technology found in several of its other painter's tapes, so I've updated this older tutorial to reflect the current product information.

Apply the tape anywhere you need to protect an adjoining surface, including along the ceiling, baseboard, corners, window trim, or other moldings.

Take your time and keep the tape as straight as possible. You can work in shorter sections if that makes it easier to control.

Once the tape is positioned, firmly press along the edge to make sure it is completely attached to the surface. FrogTape recommends going over the edge with a firm plastic tool, such as a putty knife or plastic card, to help eliminate gaps.

Don't stretch the tape as you apply it. Just smooth it into place and pay special attention to corners where two pieces overlap.

This little bit of prep is worth it. There's nothing quite like pulling painter's tape away and seeing that beautiful, straight line underneath.

Paint the Accent Wall

Once the room is protected and the tape is secure, it's finally time for the fun part.

Cut In Around the Edges

Start with a paintbrush and paint around the perimeter of the wall anywhere your roller won't easily reach.

Brush along the ceiling, corners, baseboard, and any trim or architectural detail you're working around. You don't need much paint on the brush.

A controlled coat makes it easier to work near the taped edges without creating drips.

Continue around the entire wall until you've painted all the edges.

Remove the Painter's Tape

For FrogTape Pro Grade Orange, the manufacturer recommends removing the tape while the paint is still wet for the best results.

Slowly pull the tape back on itself at about a 45-degree angle, rather than pulling it straight away from the wall.

If the paint has already dried and begins pulling up with the tape, FrogTape recommends carefully scoring along the painted edge before continuing to remove it.

Roll the Wall

Next, pour your paint into a tray and use a roller to fill in the large areas.

Work across the wall in manageable sections, keeping a wet edge as you go. Don't overload the roller. Several controlled passes will give you a smoother finish than trying to put too much paint on the wall at once.

Allow the first coat to dry according to the paint manufacturer's instructions, then apply another coat if needed.

Pink was definitely the right choice for this room. As soon as that bold color went onto the wall, the space felt completely different.

And yes, Addison was pretty excited about finally getting her pink wall!

Accent Wall Ideas and Painting Tips

You definitely don't have to go pink to make this project work in your home.

A deep navy or green can turn the wall behind a bed into a dramatic focal point. A warm neutral can add depth without feeling too bold, while a saturated color can bring life to a guest room, office, or dining room.

Accent wall ideas also don't have to stop with paint. You could combine a painted wall with picture-frame moldings, shiplap, wood trim, shelves, or another architectural detail to create even more interest.

If you're nervous about using a bold color, remember that you're only painting one wall. That's one of my favorite things about a DIY accent wall. You can experiment with a color you might not want on all four walls without committing the entire room to it.

And if you decide a few years from now that you're ready for something different? It's paint. Grab a roller and change it again!

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Hi, I'm Katie!

I'm so glad you're here. Want to make something fabulous? I'm here to help!

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