The Painting Technique That'll Add Texture To Your Closet Makeover

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When decorating any room, it's easy to forget about the places that aren't in plain sight. However, a homeowner dedicated to top-notch design doesn't neglect any nook or cranny. A truly custom space should feel like a reflection of your personality — from floor to ceiling and wall to wardrobe. If you haven't considered the inside of your closet as a spot worthy of aesthetic attention, it's time. Just because this often forgotten storage space is an uncommon place to try out limewash for a cozy makeover, it doesn't mean you shouldn't attempt this DIY. Yup, that's right. It's time to limewash the inside of your closet.

Made from a mixture of limestone, paint, and water, limewash gives flat surfaces an earthy, visually dynamic look. The best paint finish to use when remodeling your closet is hotly debated, but matte or eggshell finishes reduce glare. Limewash dries matte and is mildly textured, making it the ideal choice for typically well-lit closets.

Start by choosing a limewash paint in a hue you prefer. When it comes to color, neutrals will make a small closet appear larger. A one-quart can of Vasari Lime Plaster and Paint in Granite costs about $35 and gives a beautiful gray finish with green undertones. Portola Paints Lime Wash in Half Life is another popular option. If your closet walls are drywall or are already painted, it's recommended, though not essential, to get an acrylic primer. A one-gallon bucket of Evolve Drywall Primer costs around $33. You'll also need a Genixart Block Paintbrush or similar wide brush to apply the paint.

Ready to DIY an authentic limewash finish inside your closet? First, remove everything from your closet and lay down a drop cloth to protect your flooring. If you're applying primer, apply at least one coat. Once that's cured, per the manufacturer's wait times, you can limewash over it. Start at a bottom corner and work your way up and across the closet, brushing the limewash paint onto the walls in an alternating, diagonal, sweeping motion. The aim is to maintain a constant wet edge. Once the inside of your closet is covered in paint, you can step back and admire the patina. The hue and texture will shift a little over time, which is part of the natural finish's charm.

There are a few tricks to ensure even absorption and get the perfectly imperfect finish that's unique to limewash. The smaller the brush, the more often you'll need to dip it in the paint to keep that wet edge. Finish the painting in one run through and avoid retouching. And wait at least two hours before putting your items back into the closet — though curing times may vary across paint brands. While closets aren't technically high-traffic areas of a home, they are susceptible to wear and tear as items are put in or taken out. Applying a sealer like Jolie Finishing Wax can protect the walls from dings. If you're not into the blocky look of this finish, why not limewash your walls like HGTV star Leanne Ford and swap out the paintbrush for a sponge? The inside of your closet deserves the designer touch, too!