Whether you are trying to be more conscious about the chemicals in your house or are just looking for a unique and creative way to decorate, mixing your own natural paint is a fun way to change the look of your home. If you have ever wanted to add common ingredients to paint and watch what happens, then this is the project for you. The idea behind this DIY is that by adding ingredients with natural pigment to a can of non-toxic white paint, you can get a cool and vibrant color to add to your walls. The project sounds like fun, but you should know more about how doable the project is, how to attempt it, and whether it is worth it before you start grabbing your pigments.

First, you are probably wondering if mixing natural pigments into paint creates a result that is actually usable. While your results will vary based on the natural pigments you use, how you prepare them, and the paint that you mix them into, natural pigments can effectively change a paint’s color and texture to give you a paint that is truly one-of-a-kind. So, it is possible to get a good result that you can effectively apply to your walls and enjoy for some time. However, you should carefully consider your materials and process if you are hoping for long-lasting results.

To attempt this project, you need a water-based, non-toxic white paint; a tool for stirring; a sponge, paintbrush, or roller for application; and some natural pigments. Roses, spinach, beets, charcoal, coffee grounds, and turmeric are all great options, but feel free to experiment with all kinds of spices, fruits, flowers, leaves, or vegetables. To prepare the paint, use a mortar and pestle to grind your pigment ingredients until the consistency is extra fine. This allows the paint to remain smooth once the pigment is added instead of having large grains.

Before you add all of the pigment to your paint can, mix a small amount to make a sample. Slowly add the pigment to your sample, taking note of how much you add of each pigment so that you can recreate it with the rest of the paint later. When you are happy with the color of your sample, apply a test amount to an inconspicuous part of your wall so you can see what the color looks like when it dries on the wall. 

Make any adjustments and repeat this process as much as you need. Then, use the amounts you wrote down to add the same ratio of pigment to the paint can and recreate your color. Be sure to mix thoroughly to avoid uneven coloring, and if the paint gets too thick, you can try adding a couple of drops of water. Finally, apply your paint to the wall using your method of choice. 

While mixing your own paint color with natural pigments is a doable project and a fun method of creative experimentation, there are some downsides. First, there are a lot of variables that will affect your results. You can read all about how designers pick the perfect shade of paint and find a color you love, but it might be tough to accurately reproduce. Natural ingredients vary in quality and color, making the colors hard to predict in the moment and replicate for future touch-ups. Certain natural pigment ingredients may also combine strangely with paint, causing issues. The longevity of your color will also be impacted by the ingredients you use. For example, as a dye, turmeric fades in color over time, especially in the sun. 

If you are chasing a specific color, want results that last like regular paint, or know that regular paint touch-ups are part of your future, then mixing your own paint with natural pigments probably won’t be a great idea. However, if you want a unique, non-toxic accent paint and are open to experimenting and adapting to some surprises, then this is a perfect project for you. 

If your primary goal is to switch to something all-natural, then the commercial white paint used for this may not cut it, even if you find a non-toxic option. Instead, a true natural paint, like an organic, biodegradable milk paint, could be a better fit. If interested, you can learn what you need to know about milk paint and consider it. Knowing the pros and cons of creating your own paint can help you decide if the project is right for your needs.