Furniture Painting with StencilsI’ll bet you have a few things in your house that could benefit from some furniture painting. Just think about it for a second. Have you been wondering what to do with that ratty old dresser that's been collecting dust in the garage? Do you have furniture in your house that you inherited and just can’t get rid of but can’t find a fit for them in your house? Are you thinking of getting rid of that old rocking chair because it just doesn't fit in with the new decor? Why not save yourself the hassle of throwing things out and then having to spend money to replace them? Breathe some new life in those old pieces by re-designing them with a little paint and stencil art. If you think furniture painting might be the solution you've been looking for, but have never done it, here are some tips to help you get started. Using stencils while furniture painting is a great way to decorate! Custom hand painted furniture adds an exclusive feel to any room whether it’s a formal living area or a child’s room. Stencils can be applied to parts of the furniture as an accent or spread over the whole piece to create an entire scene. Look at these samples below for some ideas of what you could do. Here is a wine motif added to this two drawer bureau which could be used as a buffet or side table. The stencils are only used on the top drawer in the center. This creates a classic feel that would fit well in a formal room with a traditional theme.
Here is another example of using stencils as accents on furniture. The trunk has a scene using a Sea Gull Stencil on top and an underwater scene across the front creating a light, casual mood. This is a great piece for a porch, bathroom, child’s room, sun room or (if you’re lucky to live near the beach) any room.
Here is an example of using stencils over the entire piece of furniture to make a scene. Four frog stencils are placed in different areas for a rain forest motif. The background was painted before the stencils and was simply done be using the stippling effect or pulling an artist brush through several different colors of green. Very easy to do! A great look for any room that begs to brings nature inside.
The armoire below was decorated with a scene using farm related stencils painted on the door. The frame of the door was given a faux wood grain finish. This was done by dipping a brush into a variety of tans and browns squeezed onto a palette. Then running the brush in long strokes along the frame and allowing the bristles of the brush to dispense the variety of browns creating a wood grain effect. The farm stencils on the door were placed so that the appearance is like looking out of a window and onto a farm yard.
Tips for Painting on Furniture
So you have a piece of furniture you want to paint? And you want to personalize it with a stencil motif? There are a few things to consider before you begin. In what room will the furniture be placed? What is the theme for that room? What is the color scheme? Is it contemporary or traditional? Making some decisions are essential, since you need to design the furniture to suit the space it will occupy.
You probably already have a stencil design in mind since that is how most furniture painting projects usually get started. If not, then consider your theme while shopping. There is no shortage of stencil designs available to you so the real problem is just deciding on one. Are you going to use a single layer or multiple-overlay stencil? If you need more information on the different stencil types available, then click here for the full scoop on the basics at About Stencils. Now, what colors are you going to use in your stencils? If you are painting the furniture before stenciling, then what color are you going to use for that? Choosing the right colors is essential to the success of your furniture painting project. You need to consider the whole design to make sure that the colors of your stencils will blend perfectly with the color of the furniture. You also want to keep in mind the color scheme of the room that it will occupy.
For a great article on choosing the right colors, click here for a helpful
stenciling technique.
I'll also show you how the wrong colors can ruin a painting. Plus, get some great tips on making your stencil colors look good on the background.
If your piece is already painted and the stencil colors are not sticking, try using a fine sandpaper to take away the top layer of the gloss.
When the project is completed, you can put a coat of polyurethane or use a clear spray paint if you want a semi- or high-gloss protective finish. Read the instructions on any product you use and talk to the experts at the store where you buy these items. They can be a great source of help for your furniture painting project.
Always make sure that your surface is clean and free of dust before painting. After you have painted the base color you should add any accents that belong to the background. For example, on the Frog Stencil Dresser above, the leaves and forest accents were painted before any stencils were used. Of course, when the stencils are finished you will want to add some finishing touches to pull it all together. Oh yeah! Before you put paint on a piece of furniture there is something else you need to consider. Painting something that may be considered an antique could ruin its value. If you have owned the piece for a while, you already know enough about its history. However, if you want to paint something you picked up from an auction or a yard sale, you might want to do some research. Just to be safe. Furniture painting is a great hobby that is fun and easy with stencils. Best of all you can create custom accents for your home. What better way to decorate than with your own creativity. So use your imagination and create some Great Works of Art!
Looking for something else? If you are looking for stencils and supplies, here are a couple of recommendations. Then again, if you are looking for books about furniture painting, Amazon.com
Royal Design Studio has a full line of beautiful decorative stencils and supplies. If anything, visit the site for it's motivational and inspirational design.
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