Moody Bathroom Makeover on a Budget
I’ve been drawn to the look of lime wash walls for years — the soft, textured finish feels timeless, moody, and organic all at once. But true lime wash paint can be pricey, and since I was working on a powder bath remodel for under $100, I wanted to see if I could create the look myself with a little DIY creativity.
Spoiler: it worked — and it completely transformed the space.
Here’s exactly how I did my faux lime wash walls (plus the ceiling and door) using regular paint, a few simple techniques, and a little patience.
The Vision
The powder bath started with creamy builder-grade walls, and I knew I wanted this space to feel bold and moody. Since it’s a small bathroom, I figured it was the perfect place to experiment with a color-drenched faux lime wash effect.
Supplies I Used
- Flat interior paint in a deep, moody color (my main shade)
- A lighter coordinating paint color
- Water (for diluting the paint)
- A paint tray + rags
- Wide brush or sponge for blending
Step-by-Step Faux Lime Wash Technique
Step 1: The First Coat
I mixed my base paint with water (about 2 parts paint to 1 part water) to thin it down. Using a wide brush, I applied the first coat in an irregular criss-cross pattern.
💡 Truth: the first coat looked awful. And from what I’ve read and experienced, that’s completely normal with this technique. It’s streaky and uneven, but don’t panic — the depth comes later.
[Insert Image: first coat in progress – the “messy” stage]
Step 2: The Second Coat
Once the first coat dried, I came back with a second, more layered application. This is where the magic happens. I alternated between my base color and a lighter shade, working in sections and blending the two.
The lighter paint softened the overall effect and added depth and texture, mimicking that soft lime wash look.
[Insert Image: second coat – close-up of texture beginning to show]
Step 3: Touch-Ups + Third Coat
By the third coat, it wasn’t about covering the whole wall again — just filling in areas that looked too flat or uneven. I dabbed and blended paint here and there until the finish felt balanced and organic.
[Insert Image: finished wall close-up of layered effect]
The Final Look
I carried the paint onto the ceiling and even the door, fully color drenching the space. This gave the small bathroom a cozy, moody feel that’s both dramatic and calming at the same time.
[Insert Image: wide shot of finished bathroom with faux lime wash walls]
Lessons Learned
- Don’t give up after the first coat — it really does look bad at first!
- Use two shades of paint to build depth.
- Work in irregular strokes — the imperfections are what make it look natural.
- A small bathroom is the perfect place to experiment with bold finishes.
See the Whole Remodel
These walls were part of my powder bath makeover for under $100. You can see the full before-and-after here, or watch the video walkthrough on my YouTube channel.
And if you love the walls, stay tuned — I’ll also be sharing the DIY vanity build and mirror makeover from this space!
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