Ideas for Decorating With Stencils

Indoor Decorating with Stencils

• Everyone is familiar with stenciled wall borders, but stenciling transforms walls into art through murals, trompe L’oeil or allover wallpaper effects. Turn your child’s bedroom ceiling into a planetarium by stenciling stars, planets and clouds. Stencil your hardwood floors and stair risers. Create colonial-era floor coverings using stencils on canvas mats. Instead of purchasing costly new curtains for your windows, consider adding a stenciled design to vinyl roller shades. Other household items that work well for stenciling include picture frames, lamp shades and plates.

Outdoor Projects

• A low-cost alternative to replacing a worn concrete patio is to purchase stone-shaped stencils especially made for painting patios. Beautify your mailbox and outdoor planters as well. Be sure to use outdoor stencil paint or cream, and check that it is appropriate for the surface.

Designs

• Craft shops and online stencil suppliers offer hundreds of designs. Choose from floral, geometrics, animals, mural scenes and lettering. The latest styles include fabric designs that mimic batik or damask. Allover patterns simulate the look of wallpaper, but are much easier to change than stripping wallpaper. Simply paint over your design when you choose to redecorate.

Types of Paint and Finishes

• When choosing stencil paint, consider the surface you are covering and whether the project is indoors or outdoors. Easy-to-blend stencil creams will not drip like acrylics, but may not be practical for large projects. Stains work well on furniture if you wish to show the wood grain. Stenciling needs no sealing unless the surface is subjected to much wear or is outdoors.