DIY Rainbow Wall: Easy Accent Wall for a Kids Room
Last Updated on March 17, 2026 by
Looking to add some whimsy to your child’s bedroom walls? A DIY rainbow wall might be just what you need! When we were transitioning our kids’ room from a guest space to a shared bedroom, I wanted to create something special that would bring joy without overwhelming the space. This simple DIY project transformed our blank wall into a gorgeous rainbow wall that our kids absolutely loved.
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En Nuestra Casa
When we found out we were expecting our second child, we knew we needed to reimagine our kids’ room. Up until then, we’d kept things pretty minimal with simple white walls and yellow accent stripes.
But with a new baby on the way, I wanted to create something that would make the space feel more playful and child-friendly rather than just a plain white paint. We even briefly tried a gallery wall of watercolor construction vehicle prints! But after searching through countless kids’ room ideas on Pinterest, I kept coming back to the idea of a DIY rainbow wall mural.
I was definitely a bit nervous to take on this project–I’m creative in a lot of ways but don’t consider myself an impressive painter by any means! But I figured an imperfect freehand half circle painting would be charming in its own right. And the best part is that it cost less than $50 and took just one weekend to complete!
Creating Your “Perfect” DIY rainbow wall Arch: The Planning Phase
One of the easiest ways to ensure success with a DIY rainbow wall is proper planning. Start by deciding whether you want traditional bright colors or a more subdued boho rainbow palette. We opted for soft, muted tones that would complement our existing wall color while still creating a playful accent wall. It simplified things for me (in terms of choosing colors and staying within budget) to just use paint colors we already had, so if that’s an option for you, I say go for it!
Materials Needed:
- Paint colors of your choice
- Painter’s tape or Frog tape (I wouldn’t recommend using a hot glue gun on this project.)
- Push pin
- Tape measure
- Long string
- Paint brush
- Pencil
- Level
Getting Started with Your DIY Rainbow Wall mural
Before diving into the fun part of painting, you’ll need to create your rainbow shape. Here’s my tried-and-true method for getting that perfect arch:
1. Find Your Center Point
Start at the bottom of the wall where you want your rainbow to begin. Mark the center point with a piece of tape. From there, measure up the wall to determine how tall you want your rainbow. You could place a small push pin at this spot – this will be the center of the rainbow (top of the rainbow for your wall art).
2. Creating the Arches
The next step is to tie one end of a piece of string to your push pin. The length of rope you use will determine the size of your arch. Hold a pencil at the other end of the string and draw your first arch, keeping the string taut the whole way around. This creates perfect straight lines and ensures your rainbow arches are even to cover the white spaces of your wall.
Pro tip: Use chalk lines instead of pencil marks if you’re worried about visible lines showing through lighter paint colors.
Making the DIY Rainbow wall Come to Life
Finally, now comes the exciting part: adding color to your DIY rainbow wall mural! Start with your outer edge and work your way in, leaving about a 1-inch gap between each band of color.
1. Taping Off Your Lines
Use painter’s tape to carefully trace along your pencil lines. This is crucial for getting clean, crisp edges between colors. Press firmly along the entire length of tape to prevent paint bleeding.
Optional: Skip this step altogether if you want more of a freehand, imperfect rainbow like ours.
2. Painting Each Band
When painting your arches, work from the outside in. This helps prevent any accidental smudging as you move around. Apply two coats of wall paint for best coverage, letting each coat dry completely before moving to the next arch.
Pro tip: Remove the tape while the paint is still slightly wet for the cleanest lines.
Alternative Methods for Creating Your DIY Rainbow MURAL
If you’re looking for different ways to create your rainbow wall, here are some creative alternatives:
1. Pool Noodles Method
- Use pool noodles to create curved templates
- Ask someone to hold it in place for you (or maybe tape it in place while you trace?)
- Trace around the curve for perfect vertical lines
2. Floral Wire Technique
- Create an arch shape using sturdy floral wire
- Secure the open ends
- Use as a guide for tracing your arches
3. Rainbow Wall Hanging
If you’re not ready to commit to paint, consider creating a macrame rainbow or using pom poms, ribbons, or strips of fabric to create a hanging mechanism that can be more easily changed.
Tips for Success
After completing our DIY rainbow wall (and even painting another one in the kids’ room at my parents’ house!), here are my top tips:
1. Test Colors First
Then, paint small samples on a flat surface or directly on the wall to ensure your colors work together.
2. Take Your Time with Measurements
Careful measuring at the start ensures your rainbow will be centered perfectly in your perfect spot.
3. Work in Sections
Don’t try to tackle the entire wall at once. Complete one arch before moving on to the second arch.
4. Keep Extra Paint
Save any leftover paint for touch-ups – you’ll thank yourself later!
Common Questions About Creating DIY Rainbow Wall DECOR
Finally, here are some questions I often get about this project:
Q: How long does it take?
A: With proper planning, you can complete this project in one weekend, which includes drying time.
Q: What if I make a mistake?
A: That’s the beauty of paint – you can always paint over any errors! I also like to keep a damp rag on hand to wipe off the worst of my mistakes immediately after they happen.
Q: Will this work in a little girl’s room or boy’s room?
A: Absolutely! The colors you choose can make this design work for any space.
The Final Result
Our DIY rainbow wall quickly became the cornerstone of our kids’ room design. (ICYMI — I have to talk in past tense here because sadly we had to paint over this mural when we built our DIY triple bunks!)
Our DIY rainbow wall added just the right amount of whimsy while still feeling sophisticated enough to grow with our kids. Plus, it created a lovely backdrop for countless photos and memories.
If you create your own DIY rainbow wall, we’d love to see it! Share your photos with us on Instagram or drop them in the comments below. And check out our IG rainbow wall post here.
Above all, the best DIY projects are ones that bring joy to your space. Whether you follow these instructions exactly or use them as inspiration for your own creative twist, the most important thing is that you end up with a room you and your children love.
Ready to start your own rainbow wall? Be sure to pin this post for later!
