Limewash is the PERFECT option for adding texture and character to a space so I decided to limewash the walls in my Bedroom Makeover. This is the second bedroom I’m tackling at Mulberry Manor — the 1840s house I’m renovating with my best friend.

This space was a JOURNEY to get to this point, including water leaks, ripping the walls down to the studs, adding new electrical, and refinishing the floors.

But with new drywall it was finally time for paint and I wanted something neutral that still felt interesting and gave the space a old-world feel with lots of character.

Enter the perfect option…because it really is just painting…Limewash 

what is limewash?

Limewashing is a centuries-old technique used to add a beautiful, weathered patina to interior and exterior walls. It’s a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to transform the look of your space. Limewashing is excellent DIY project for adding texture and interest to your space without a complicated technique (it really is just paint!)

In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll walk you through the process of limewashing walls, including all the materials you’ll need and some of my best tips for beginners.

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what you’ll need:

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diy limewash tutorial: How to create a limewash look on your walls

step 01: Prep the area

Before you start, prepare the space by removing any furniture, wall decor, and cover the floor with drop cloths or plastic sheets. Use painter’s tape to protect adjacent surfaces, such as trims, windows, or baseboards, from accidental splatters.

step 02: Clean the wall

You want to ensure the wall surface is clean and free from dust, dirt, or grease. Use a mild detergent and water to wash the wall, and allow it to dry completely before proceeding.

Step 3: Test the limewash

Before applying the limewash to the entire wall, it’s a good idea to test it on a small inconspicuous area first. This will help you evaluate the color and consistency and ensure it matches your desired outcome.

BUT…its me giving you this advice and we all know I’m all or nothing. So yes, I absolutely just jumped in and started painting and tweaking and layering as I went.

step 04: Prepare the limewash mixture

Limewash typically comes in a concentrated form that you need to dilute it with clean water. BUT we don’t have time for that and it sounds messy…so I GOT you.

I used THIS LIME PAINT from Amazon that comes in a billion colors and its pre-mixed (YASSSS) 

.The ONLY trick is making sure you stir this a LOT. LIke many many times as you’re applying it so things don’t settle and the paint goes on even. This is a mineral paint so it’s not like normal paint that takes a while to separate. 

I put my paint in a bucket so I could swirl it around as I painted it on the wall vs a paint tray that sits flat.

step 05: Apply the first coat

Start by applying the limewash mixture to the wall using a paintbrush.

Begin anywhere on the wall and create a little cloud shape by making an X then filling it in with another X shape to create a star (*)

The paint will do most of the work for you in terms of creating amazing texture, but you want to brush it on with X strokes that are random vs straight even strokes. 

To paint around the edges of the room and things like doors and windows, you can use painters tape just like you would with normal paint. OR if you really trust yourself, you can cut in with the big chunky brush like I did.

This paint is pretty thin, so as you apply it will look like a fairly  transparent coat and allow some of the original wall color to show through.

This first layer will act  as a primer, helping the subsequent coats adhere properly. Allow the first coat to dry completely (otherwise the next layer will just rub it off)

step 06: Apply additional coats

Once the first coat is dry, repeat the process by applying subsequent coats until you achieve the desired level of opacity and texture. 

For a more weathered look, you can experiment with different brush strokes or use a sponge to create subtle variations in texture.

Remember to allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next.

step 07: Check the color once dry

After the last coat has dried, step back and assess the color. Limewash goes on darker and dries lighter which means you might need to layer on a few more coats to get the look you want OR do another layer in a different color to create more contrast.

If you’re satisfied with the appearance, skip to the next step. Otherwise, you can add additional coats until you achieve the desired effect. Limewash tends to lighten as it dries, so keep this in mind when evaluating the color.

I ended up using a beige color first to create some depth and then layered on a lighter cream color over the top to bring down the yellow tones and lighten it up a little. Limewash can be a lot of trial and error of painting things on and re-painting until you get the look you want.

step 08: Finishing touches and cleanup

Once the limewash has dried completely, remove the painter’s tape carefully. Clean your brushes and rollers with water immediately after use to prevent the limewash from hardening. Dispose of any leftover limewash solution following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Limewashing a wall is such a FUN and impactful DIY project that can add character and charm to your living space. 

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