Decorating With Wall Stencils

Could your dingy old wall use some revitalizing? Do you not have enough money to fix various in-home architectural nuances? Maybe you just want to give a room a new look. No matter the reason for wanting to redecorate your walls, wall stenciling is an appealing solution.

As one of the most widely-used decorative painting techniques, wall stenciling can be an inexpensive fix for various decorating problems. This technique requires little paint and offers a wide selection of colors to choose from. 

With minimum time, effort and cost, wall stenciling can be used to revitalize any room in your house. Whether you choose to create an overall design or just want to add a decorative border along the wall, wall stenciling will give you the opportunity to bring any room back to life.

Wall Stenciling Supplies

If you are thinking of decorating your home or office with wall stenciling, be sure to visit your local craft shop or hardware store.  Listed below are just some of the necessary items you may find:

• 1-inch or 1-1/4-inch brush (one for each color)
• Paint (latex is preferable)
• Stencil patterns
• Spray adhesive for the back of the stencil
• Masking and Scotch tape
• Pencil with an  eraser
• Baby wipes and paper towels to clean brushes
• Palette knife
• Plastic baggies to slip the brush into when not in use
• Ladder
• Paint thinner (for oil-based paint)
• Bristle brush (for cleaning patterns)
• Drop cloth
• Worktable
• Background paint

The Stencil

When wall stenciling, you should choose a stencil design best representing your personal taste.  Whether you want precut stencils or prefer to create your own design, most materials are available at various craft and hardware stores. Typically, if you are wall stenciling around the borders of windows and doors, less formal designs including flowers and vines are easier than geometric patters. Once you find a design you like, you can use a copying machine to enlarge or reduce the pattern, and then transfer it onto the necessary materials, such as clear acetate.  Use a craft knife to cut around the areas you want to paint and make extra copies if needed.

How to Stencil a Wall Border

If you are interested in accenting a room with a decorative wall border, be sure to follow the proper instructions:

The Process:
1.    Using a level and a pencil, make a light line on your wall
2.    Spray the stencil with adhesive and press it into place on the wall, or use masking tape to lightly attach it
3.    Touch your stencil brush to the paint’s surface, and then tap the brush continuously onto a paper plate or towel to remove excess paint
4.    Paint around the inside edge of the stencil using a light tapping motion
5.    Create subtle shading by using paint from the painted edges to color in the design
6.    After the design is completely filled in, remove the stencil from the wall
7.    If necessary, remove any masking tape
8.    Reposition the stencil for the next set of designs
9.    Erase (or paint over) all pencil marks

Important Tips & Suggestions

•    Make copies of your stencil patterns
•    To avoid using solid colors, use a mini-foam paint roller to roll some of the paint before applying
•    Swirl the brush around the edge to help shade the edges of the stencil
•    If paint gets under the edge of the stencil, move the stencil and paint any area again
•    To wrap an inside corner, measure the distance to the corner and transfer the measurement to the back of the stencil
•    If you damage a stencil, place Scotch tape across the back and front
•    Be careful not to “flood” the stencil’s edges because this will cause paint to travel under the paper
•    Use a different stencil brush for each color used
•    Thoroughly clean stencil brushes between colors


Sources:
Forcier, Polly.  “Wall Stencils: Advice From a Pro.”  2001.  MB Historic Décor.  8 Oct 2006.
    http://bedrooms.bobvila.com/Article/389.html
“How to Stencil a Wall Border.”  eHow.  8 Oct 2006.
    http://www.ehow.com/how_219_stencil-wall-border.ht ml
“Stencil a Wall or Border.”  DIY Network:  How-to-Info.  8 Oct 2006.
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/stencilawall
“Stenciling Problems-FAQ’s.”  Wall to Wall Stenciling.  8 Oct 2006.
    http://www.walltowallstencils.com/faq/problems.php #12
http://www.walltowallstencils.com/faq/howto.php# 30
“Wall Stenciling.”  Better Homes and Gardens.  8 Oct 2006.
http://www.bhg.com/bhg/story.jhtml;jsessionid=OV W53WIWIDEGDQFIBQSCCAWAVABBWIV0?storyid=/templateda