Wall Plaster Design Ideas

Basics

• Plaster designs require a minimal amount of tools and mediums. A bucket of joint compound, a whisk, wallpaper brushes and water are all you'll need. Wall plaster is made by combining joint compound and water in a bucket, then stirring to attain the consistency of heavy pancake batter. It needs to drip slowly, not run. Practice the technique you choose on cardboard first; this will help you perfect your art before you permanently alter your walls. However, if you do make a mistake while applying the plaster, you can easily smooth it out with a roller.

Stucco

• Stucco is good for adding a rustic, natural stone look to any room. Traditionally, stucco is known primarily as an exterior finish but stucco is indeed making its way to home interiors. To achieve this look, try mixing the compound with cement and sand, which add grit to the mixture and give the wall a stucco finish. Make sure to clear the wall of paint, dirt or even bonding material, as these can prevent the stucco mix from adhering to the wall. Dampen the surface immediately before you begin. Apply a base coat and then use your own discretion about whether to add more. Keep in mind that the new surface may take several days to dry.

Children's Rooms

• Plaster finishing can help you add a special element to your child's bedroom or play room. Make sure you work on small areas at a time as it takes only 20 minutes for the basic plaster to dry. In that time, you can add designs ranging from circles and squares to zig-zags and flowers. You can use the non-bristled end of a paintbrush, stencils, even your hands and fingers. After the plaster dries, paint as desired.

Ceiling Medallions/Fixtures

• You can use plaster to make complex ceiling designs and add ornate surroundings to your light fixtures. Just apply the plaster to the areas you would like to decorate. You can use stencils or practice until you find the exact design you're looking for. Remember, if you do make a mistake and it's too late to repair it, you can always sand down the design and redo it. If you need more time to work on your design, you can add a paint extender to your compound mix, but don't make it too thin.