How To Stencil Patterns on a Wall
Updated: Aug. 24, 2023How to stencil a decorative border at the top of your walls.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Time A full day
ComplexityBeginner
Cost$51–100
Introduction
With our basic stenciling techniques, you'll be able to create everything from a simple stenciled border to more complex patterns that will add a dramatic flourish to any room in your house. Even if you don't consider yourself artistic, we'll show you how to use stencils to create unique works of art using only a paint brush and a tape measure.Tools Required
- Chalk line
- Stenciling brush
Materials Required
- dry cloth or newspaper
- Paint
- Painter's tape
- stencil pattern
Stenciling is a traditional decorative technique that perfectly complements a Craftsman-style room. And it’s perfectly easy to learn, too. If you can handle a paint brush and a tape measure, you can quickly master the techniques for applying an attractive, simple border. And with a little practice, you can tackle complex paint patterns using multiple wall border stencils and colors— and even create your own designs.
The key tools are a special stenciling brush, and the stencil and paint. A wide variety of each are available at craft and art supply stores. You can also find wall stencils at bookstores or on the Internet, or even buy stencil blanks and cut your own with an X-Acto knife.
Match the brush size to the area being filled within the stencil. We used a 1/2-inch, medium-size brush, which is a good, all purpose size. You can use almost any paint—artist acrylics, wall paints or the special stenciling paints sold at craft and art supply stores. We used artist acrylic paint for our stencil. Read on to learn how to create a simple stencil pattern on your walls.
Project step-by-step (6)
Tape up the simple stencil
Position your stencil on the wall at the desired height and mark the alignment holes or top edge. Then snap a light, horizontal chalk line around the room at that height. We used blue chalk for photo clarity, but make sure that whatever color you use wipes off easily. Or use faint pencil marks, which can be easily removed or covered later.
The key to a good layout is to avoid awkward pattern breaks at doors, windows and corners. To work out the best spacing, measure the easy stencil pattern and mark the actual repetitions on the wall. Vary the spacing slightly as needed to make the pattern fall in a pleasing way. Or if your stencil has multiple figures, you can alter the spacing between them like we did. Start your layout at the most prominent part of the room and make compromises in less visible areas. Draw vertical lines at the pattern center points to make positioning easier.
Once the alignment marks have been laid out, use removable painter’s tape to adhere the stencil along the top edge.
Loading the brush
Put a small quantity of paint on a paper plate. Push the stenciling brush into the paint just enough to coat the tips of the bristles, then pat off the excess on a dry cloth or newspaper, making sure the paint spreads to all the bristles as you do so. The brush should be almost dry— remember, it’s easier to add paint than it is to take it away.
Apply the paint
Apply the paint to the stencil with light dabbing and swirling motions until the stencil area is covered. Work in from the edges, brushing toward the center. Hold the stencil pattern with your free hand to keep it still and flat. This can be a challenge if you have uneven plaster walls, but do your best. Don’t worry about getting paint on the stencil, but avoid wiping or stabbing too hard around the edges. You can cover the cutout completely or work for shading effects. Use masking tape to protect nearby cutouts for other colors if you intend to use more than one color for your stencil.
Check your work
Mistakes are easy to correct. You can lift the stencil and wipe off any paint that’s smeared under the edge with a damp paper towel, or touch up the wall paint later. If you wipe some of the stenciled area away, just lay the stencil down again and touch it up.
Apply the second color
Our stencil design called for two colors, so we masked off the cutout where the second color would go, stenciled on the first color all the way around the room, then went back and added the second color, following our original alignment marks. Additional colors and even additional stencil patterns can be added in this manner.
Finished wall border stencils
With the completed stencil, you can create a dramatic effect that is impossible to achieve with a wallpaper border.
