How to Create a Wall Mural With Stencils

Purchase your stencils. Buy either a kit or individual stencils to create your own design. See Resources for popular stencil websites.

Prepare the background. Sponge paint a wall sky blue for an outdoor theme, or use other stencils to create brick walls or wood grain. The right background is essential to a realistic look.

Design a layout for the wall. Make sure large elements are focal points that complement your furniture, architectural elements, and fixtures. Small elements should be placed carefully and balanced so that there are not too many details to detract from the overall mural, but enough to provide interest. Remember to keep the perspective correct, and consider the viewing angles when adding objects.

Practice on paper first. This will not only help you develop your stenciling skills, but allow you to see what the stencil will look like before applying it to your wall.

Hang the stencils with painter's tape. If the stencil contains multiple sheets, they are usually marked to allow you to position the overlay correctly.

Pour paint on a paper plate or use solid stencil paint pots. Apply paint to the brush and blot it on a rag or paper towel before applying it to the wall. Apply the stencil paint using circular or pouncing strokes. Make sure the paint is completely dry before adding the next overlay to prevent smudging.

Locate the light source in the room. Apply shadows below and to the side of where your light falls on the items with gray or black paint.