How to Whitewash a Wall for a Rustic, Washed Finish

To whitewash a wall, mix about one part water with one part flat, water-based paint, brush it onto a porous surface like raw brick or bare wood, and wipe or dry-brush it so the texture shows through. It's a forgiving technique, and it only takes a few tools.

The one condition is the surface. Whitewash needs to soak in, so it suits brick, stone and unfinished wood. On sealed or smooth drywall it just drips and streaks.

Save

Which walls can you whitewash?

Whitewash works by absorption. Raw brick, stone, rough plaster and bare wood all drink the diluted paint and hold pigment in their pores and grain. That's what gives the washed look: the wall still reads as brick or wood, only softer and lighter.

A previously sealed brick fireplace or varnished paneling is a barrier. Sand wood down to bare grain first. Glossy brick needs a bonding primer, and at that point you're closer to painting than whitewashing. Already painted brick is a poor candidate too. The wash sits on top of the old paint and looks like a thin, messy coat, so you'd have to strip it first.

Whitewash vs. limewash: what's the difference?

They look alike but aren't the same product. Limewash is a mineral coating made from lime, and it cures into the surface. The whitewash in this guide is ordinary latex or acrylic paint thinned with water. It's easier to find, comes in many undertones, is simple to touch up, and behaves predictably indoors. Limewash is the better choice if you want a traditional mineral finish, especially on exteriors.

How to prepare the wall

Clean pores take pigment evenly, so spend your effort here. Scrub brick with a stiff brush and warm water with a little dish soap. Fireplace soot may need a TSP substitute, and you should follow the label for ventilation and gloves.

Thinned paint is runny and splashes far. Mask the ceiling and adjoining walls with painter's tape, pressing the edge down with a putty knife. Cover the floor at least 4 feet out from the wall. If you're doing a fireplace, seal off the firebox so nothing drips inside.

If you live with dogs or cats, I recommend heavy builder's paper over thin plastic sheeting. Plastic is slippery for paws and for you. Keep pets out of the room until the paint is dry and the room is aired out, and check with your vet if an animal gets into wet paint or cleaning products.

Save

What's the right paint-to-water ratio?

Start with 1:1, one part water to one part paint, and adjust from there. Use flat or matte paint. Eggshell and satin contain more binder and can look patchy and shiny once thinned, which spoils a rustic surface.

Test on a spare brick, a scrap board or a low corner first. The mix should flow like whole milk or thin cream. If it looks like solid paint, add water. If it barely registers, add paint. Mix in quart-sized batches, because paint and water separate quickly and a small batch keeps the coverage consistent.

Check the undertone too. A cool white over very red brick can turn pink, and a warm white calms yellow pine. Test the exact color on your material and let it dry before you decide, since washes look different wet.

How do you apply it?

Wipe-away method for brick

This gives an even, hazy finish. You need a coarse brush (an old masonry brush is fine) and lint-free cotton rags.

1. Work in sections of roughly 2 by 2 feet.
2. Dab the wash into the mortar lines and across the brick face, pushing it into the crevices.
3. Wait 10 to 30 seconds. The longer it sits, the more opaque it gets.
4. Wipe with a balled-up rag. Firm wiping reveals more brick color, and gentle wiping leaves it whiter.

Old brick can drink the water almost instantly. A light mist from a spray bottle just before painting gives you more working time.

Dry-brush method for wood

This catches only the raised grain for a more worn look.

1. Dip just the tips of a synthetic brush in slightly thinned paint.
2. Dab off the excess on cardboard until almost nothing comes off.
3. Drag lightly along the grain without pressing down, so paint lands only on the high points.

Wood contains tannins that can bleed yellow or brown through water-based paint, especially knotty pine and oak. In a rustic room that can read as character. For a cleaner look, seal the knots with shellac first.

Save

Can you whitewash shiplap?

Yes, if the boards are raw or sanded back to bare wood. Whitewashing is a quick way to get white shiplap walls that keep their grain, which a solid coat of paint would fill in. Dry-brush works well, and you should run the brush along the boards and into the joints.

The same method suits a vertical shiplap wall, where the lines draw the eye up and make a ceiling feel taller. If you want a modern shiplap wall, use a thinner wash with a cooler white, wipe it back for a calm, even tone, and keep the styling simple. Painted or sealed boards need sanding or primer first.

Save

How do you style a whitewashed wall?

A washed wall is matte and soft, so it needs help to look intentional.

Light it from the side. I recommend recessed cans or a track light about 18-24 inches from the wall, aimed so the beam grazes the surface. That throws small shadows into the brick or grain and brings out the relief. Warm bulbs (2700K to 3000K) keep it cozy.

Add contrast. Light beige furniture against a pale wall looks washed out. Deeper tones like charcoal, cognac leather or matte black metal give the room weight, and smooth glass or stone tables sit nicely against the rough wall.

Pick a calm rug. The wall already has plenty of texture, so a solid jute or wool rug, or one with a large-scale pattern, avoids visual clutter. In a standard living room, an 8x10 or 9x12 usually lets the front legs of the seating sit on it. For more rustic room ideas, see how to decorate a rustic living room and modern rustic inspiration.

Save

Finishing checklist

• Use a small artist's brush to reach tight corners where the wall meets the ceiling.
• Step back about 10 feet and squint. Layer more wash over spots that look too light.
• On a hallway or kitchen backsplash, a clear matte water-based sealer over the dry wash makes it wipeable.
• Add throws and pillows to balance the hard surface, and a plant such as pothos or ficus. Check with your vet before placing either within reach of pets, since some common houseplants are toxic.

If you'd rather try a different look, there are other finishes in these DIY paint finish ideas, or see how raw masonry works in a rustic brick kitchen.

Frequently asked questions