Wall Stencils: Ideas and Techniques

Wall stencils are an easy and affordable way to add patterns and unique design elements to any room plus they are a great alternative to pricey and hard-to-apply wallpaper. Transform a plain wall into a garden of designs, patterns, colors and maybe even a whole scene simply by securing a stencil to the wall and painting over it. A large variety of stencil designs can be found at craft stores or art supply and specialty websites. Whatever mood you are trying to create, there is a design out there for you!

Wall stencils are a great alternative if you want to create hand painted images on your walls but don’t quite trust your artistic abilities to actually put designs on a wall. Even if you have some skills with a paint brush, stencils help you paint images that are always consistent. Of course a few basic stenciling techniques can help make the completed design more detailed and beautiful. Yet even total novices can have a blast with a few small jars of paint and a pack of stencils, letting their imagination run wild with their stencil as their guide.

There are several different types of stencils for walls. The most common are often sheets of plastic with a design already cut out. (Need more information on Stencil Pattern Types? Just click here.)

After securing the stencil firmly to the wall, apply paint into the openings of the stencil. When the stencil is removed, the design remains on the wall. If you are creating a repeating pattern, reattach the pattern in the next area and apply paint. Continue moving the pattern and painting until your wall is complete.

Want to see this in action? Then you’ll love this video…

Borders & Friezes

Creating borders on walls is easy with stencils. Border stencils are usually long strips that have a few combined designs with a theme, such as seahorses and seashells, grapes and curling vines with leaves, or flowing roses. Most have registration marks to guide you in the placement of the stencil so that you can create a continuing pattern. To apply border wall stencils accurately, use a measuring tape or level and use painter’s tape to mark the lines of the top and bottom of the design. Once certain that the lines are straight, tape or hold the stencil against the wall and paint. Repeat the pattern all along the taped area for a beautiful border.

Wall stencils are great for all ages and can turn any room from boring to fabulous quickly. But when it comes to decorating a child’s room, this can be a very fun and inexpensive way to drive home your theme. Create a Princess Bedroom with a castle fortress and maybe even a dastardly dragon (don’t forget the knight in shining armor). Maybe you have a little slugger that would like a baseball theme (or any sport for that matter). Combine alphabet stencils to print out your child’s name or any other sentiment. Wouldn’t it be fun to get the kids involved? I know…I know! You’ve always told them not to write on the walls. But it would be a great time to inspire their creativity too.

So far we talked about single images, repeating patterns (wallpaper) and borders but now I want you to stretch your imagination and consider creating a wall mural with stencils. Many designers have created stencils that complete a scene like a garden or seaside. Maybe you have a knack for combining individual stencils to create your own garden. The possibilities are endless!

You’ll have fun painting with wall stencils and showing off your new redecorated home. I hope you are inspired to create some great works of art with stencils!

And hey! Don’t forget that I (and everyone else) want to see what you have done with stencils. So, join in on the Stencil Blog or Contact Me to get your masterpiece showcased here. Won’t that be exciting! Well, I hope to hear from you soon.

Happy Stenciling, Penny

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