There’s something about a new year that makes me want to tackle a DIY home decor project and it usually involves painting. One of my kid’s room has gone through quite a bit of decor/space evolution. It was originally the nursery, then a toddler’s room, then a remote learning classroom, then back to a kid’s room. That entire time the wall remained the same so it was time to give the room a little more personality and spunk with a rainbow. What 6-year-old girl wouldn’t love that?!
Sure, there are wall decal options on Etsy but I’m notorious for choosing the budget-friendly-but-not-time-friendly route. The “I can make that” maker’s syndrome is real but luckily, this one turned our alright and so many of you enjoyed the IG reel that I shared the other day, so I thought I’d share some tips if you’re as stubborn as me and want to DIY it as well.
Supplies needed:
- Angled paintbrush
- Mini handheld roller
- Six-pack of roller covers (or this set is a great price on Amazon!)
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Yarn/string
- Pushpin
- Laser level (this is the one we have) or yardstick
- Measuring tool like a tape measure
- Small ruler
- Painter’s tape
Here are the colors I used, all Behr paints from Home Depot and slightly adjusted (numbers provided below if helpful):
- Passion Fruit Punch (M170-4) – CL: 20.5, RL: 22.5, VUL: 13.5, YL: 11
- Everblooming (M190-2) – AXL: 12, FL: 6
- Dandelion Wish (MQ4-12) – CL: 127, LL: 24, YL: 173
- Moon Glass (S420-2) – DL: 9, LL: 27
- Nile River (S420-3) – DL: 22.5, LL: 67.5
Step 1:
Measure from the corner of the wall where you would like the first rainbow to start. Mine was 14″ from the corner. This marks the outer edge of the rainbow where the interior is painted. Make a mark with your pencil near the baseboard/bottom.
Step 2:
Line your tape measure along the baseboard, from the first mark in step 1, begin making the following marks: 2″ (space), 4″ (2nd rainbow band color), 2″ (space), 4″ (3rd rainbow band color), 2″ (space), 4″ (4th rainbow band color), 2″ (space), and 4″ (5th rainbow band color).
Step 3:
Decide how far up you want the straight lines of the rainbow will go up. Mine was about 40” from the baseboard. This provided enough “white” space above the rainbow from ceiling. Something to take into consideration since ceiling heights can vary.
Step 4:
Move your tape measure about one foot above the baseboard and make the same pencil marks as before (steps 1 and 2). Repeat about two feet above the baseboard. Repeat again at the height you determined in step 3.
Step 5:
Insert pushpin at the corner of the wall at the height determined in step 3. Cut a piece of yarn/string that is about 42″ long (adjust if you make your space and rainbow bands larger than the 2″ and 4″ that I mentioned in step 2). Tie one end of the yarn to the pushpin and make sure the knot is secured.
Step 6:
Channel your childhood days of using a protractor and wrap the yarn around your pencil a couple times. Shimmy your pencil until you reach you first pencil mark. Press down on the pencil where the yarn is wrapped with your dominant hand and gently tug the excess yarn with your other hand so that it’s taut. For me, I held the wrapped pencil with my right hand and my left hand tugged the excess string as if it was still extended out in a straight line.
Create arc by moving pencil along the wall (gently making marks with the pencil). Keeping the excess yarn taut helps create an accurate arc. See step 4 and the video on this page to see what I mean about making arcs.
Draw out the remaining arcs. As you go, it would be helpful to check that your spaces are 2″ and your rainbow bands are 4″. I used a small ruler to check. If it was off, it was likely due to either under/over-tugging of the excess string so my arc was getting wonky.
Step 7:
Once you are satisfied with your penciled arcs, follow along the lines with painters’ tape. Be sure to put the tape on the correct side of the lines. The tape should follow along the 2″ space lines. In order to create a smooth curve with painter’s tape, I tore little 1″-1.5″ pieces. Press firmly along the tape so that it creates a good seal with the wall. TIP: Spend the most time at this step. Step back and look. Ask a friend or family member to take a look. Adjust as much as you need to ensure you have a clean curve. Your rainbow won’t look good if it’s wiggly-looking.
Step 8:
When you are done taping, it’s time to paint! Use the angled paintbrush for the wall corner and baseboards. Use the foam roller for the rainbow bands. Let dry a bit before peeling the painter’s tape. If you have any bleed, get a small paintbrush (I use an artist paintbrush) and touch up as necessary.
And that’s it! You’ve got a killer half rainbow that will make any rainbow-loving person be jealous! 🌈
