Wall stenciling and decals are all the rage in home décor. While I must admit they are gorgeous, some of them are a bit above my decorating budget. I did some investigating in my local hardware and stationery stores and have a devised a cheap and easy DIY version in 8 easy steps.
Tools for the Project:
If you’re artistic draw it by hand, but if you’re not blessed with creative skills, look for a pattern on the internet. Find one you like and print it. If it’s a large design you might need to go to a printer shop.
It’s important to measure the space you intend on stenciling if you plan on making your stencil a repetitive pattern. You need to make sure your pattern fits evenly in the space you want to fill.
Step 3: Prepare the Stencil Sheets
You can cheat and buy blank sheets at an art supplies store, but I found plastic folders and made my own. It’s cheaper and I have no use for a whole pack of 12 sheets, which is what the art supply store sells.
I bought plastic folders, cut them up, taped the pages together and used these as my stencil sheets. Make sure they fit your pattern in size. My design called for a 24 by 24 inch square (60x60cm). Other designs might be more oblong.
Step 4: Trace the Pattern
Place your printed image underneath the semi-transparent stencil sheet. You should be able to see the pattern clearly. Now you can trace the pattern using a marker.
Step 5: Cut the Stencil
Cut out the stencil using an Exacto knife (this allows for more precision). This step was the most time consuming part of the project. Press on a cutting mat in order not to ruin your desk or table.
In retrospect I would choose an less intricate pattern than the one I chose. This one was a bit ambitious and took a few days to do.
Step 6: Fix the Stencil on the Wall
You might need a ladder or something to stand on if your stencil needs to be high up the wall.
Two things you can do to make sure your stencil is firmly stuck to the wall:
If you’re worried that the image looks skew, use a level stick to ensure the design is straight.
Step 7: Painting The Stencil – The Fun Bit
Using a stencil brush paint the cut out areas of your stencil. Some of you might find it easier to work with a sponge paint dabber.
I used stencil paint. It’s drier and doesn’t drip down the the other parts of the stencil. I used 6 bottles (1/2 fl oz, or 15ml each). The amount of paint you will need does depend on your design’s size and detailing. The paint takes 24 hours to become dry for touch.
Step 8: Repeat
Re-purpose Your Old Clay Pots Into Something Special!
Clay pots are rather mundane things if there isn't something quite spectacular growing out of them, but you can use them to make something amazing...
You're Just Two Steps Away from Completely Waterproof Shoes!
With this simple guide, you'll learn how to easily waterproof your fabric shoes and walk in the rain without fear of your feet getting wet!
Time to Clear Up Baking Soda vs. Baking Powder Confusion
Many people think that baking powder and baking soda are one and the same, but they're actually not. This guide will highlight the key differences between them.
These Colors are Known to Uplift and Calm Your Mood
Need to paint a room? Consider using one of these seven colors to uplift your mood.
14 Tips to Give Tired Old Furniture a New Lease On Life
Have you got a pieces of furniture or fixtures and fittings that are looking tired? Try these 14 tips to give them added longevity and a new lease of life.
10 Flowers That You Can Grow In Your Home and Garden
Flowers provide a wonderful way to decorate the house, and with this guide, you can learn how to grow 10 beautiful flowers in your garden or at home.
These Remedies That Get Rid of Facial Hair Actually Work
Got excess facial hair? Here are 7 natural remedies to remove it.
I've Used these Tips to Save Hundreds on My Groceries
Take a look at the following tips that I have used in recent months, to help me save hundreds of dollars on my groceries.
Beware! NEVER Put These Things on Your Credit Card
Credit cards might be convenient but there are some cases where you should avoid using them.
10 Neat Kitchen Tricks and Hacks Every Cook Must Know
Neat tricks to help around the kitchen
Stop Wasting Avocados By Learning This Simple Trick
This excellent video will show you the simple way of freezing the quick-decaying avocados so you can enjoy them later.
10 Signs You Have a High Level of Intelligence
If you find yourself relating to these characteristics, it is possible that you possess an exceptional level of intelligence...
29 Psychological Tricks that Make You Spend More Money!
What are the psychological tactics used by salespeople, marketers, and retailers that make us buy more?
You Won't Be Old AND Vulnerable After Reading This
Just because you're elderly, it doesn't mean that you're incapable of defending yourself. Read this complete guide to find out exactly what you should do.
This Breathing Exercise Kills Anxiety in Just 5 Minutes!
Neuroscientists say there’s a simple breathing technique that can kill anxiety and stress in less than five minutes. Find out how.
Did You Know That Going Bald Can be a Good Thing?
Although for many men, going bald is their worst nightmare, it's actually associated with numerous advantages. Here are 8 to lift your spirits.
10 Cleaning Hacks to Render Your Home Spotless & Germ Free
With both spring cleaning and the need of disinfection in mind, we present to you 10 clever, but a tad unexpected cleaning hacks
Before You Throw Old Books Away, Read THIS
In this article, we'll explore 7 solutions for reusing old books and turning them into useful objects that can upgrade your life and home.
Why Buy Candles When You Can Make Your Own at Home?
Why spend money on expensive candles when you can easily make your own? This guide will show you how.
These Potatoes Will Definitely Make Your Dish Stand Out
Every great dish needs a great side dish to complement it. These Baked-twice potatoes are such a side dish.
For Perfectly Boiled Eggs, This Guide Is All You Need
Follow these 8 simple steps to make perfectly boiled eggs.
Here Are 10 Foods You Should Never Keep in the Pantry!
Are you the type of person who stores most of your food in the pantry? If so, you really must read this as there are foods that should never be stowed there!
Plagued By Liver Spots? Here Are 9 Ways to Get Rid of Them
Skin spots are a reality for many of us and can often be a nuisance. But, fortunately, they can be lightened with these 9 natural ingredients.
7 Common Sofa Arranging Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Make sure you don’t make these common sofa arranging mistakes in your living room.
I’ve Found a Natural Remedy for Those Red Bumps on the Skin
A natural remedy to erasing those red bumps that appear on your arms without visiting the dermatologist. You only need to ingredients, which are easily found at the grocery store.
Struggling to Wake Up Early? Here are 8 Habits to Avoid
Do you do any of these bad habits in the mornings?
10 Simple Solutions to Removing Paint Stains From Clothes
Got paint stains on your clothes but not sure how to remove them? Here's what to do.
These 2 Solutions Will Help You Say Goodbye to Plaque!
If you have some plaque on your teeth that you need to get rid of, we recommend that you try out this brilliant home remedy!
10 Fantastic Food Hacks To Try At Home
Make your culinary experience as good as it can be using these 10 neat little kitchen hacks.
WATCH: 10 Microwave Tips You've Never Heard Of
These 10 tips will help you get the very best out of your microwave - replenish old food, keep it clean and simply master it!
Speed Up Your Laundry By Reducing Drying Time
Learn to speed up your laundry by reducing your drying time!
Warning: Don't Put These in the Washer or Dryer!
The washing machine and the dryer are two very efficient inventions that help us a lot - but the following 9 items are best kept away from them.
Quick and Easy Ways to Defrost Your Car Windscreen
Going to your car and finding the windscreens covered in ice is one thing that annoys us all. Here are three easy ways to quickly defrost your car windows!
10 of the Fastest-Growing Vegetables
There is a variety of fast-growing vegetables, including legumes, leafy greens, and root vegetables. We feature 10 of the fastest-growing veggies in this article.
7 Ways to Trap Pesky Fruit Flies
Fruit flies can be incredibly gross and annoying, but you're about to learn 7 novel ways of trapping the little critters.
6 Home Remedies that'll Stop Your Dog from Scratching
To help alleviate your dog's discomfort, we have gathered six effective home remedies that you can whip up and use today.
Vodka Has Many More Uses Than You Ever Imagined!
Vodka is not just for use when you need a drink. Here are 16 uses for the Russian beverage that you've undoubtedly never thought of.
IMPORTANT: Why You Should Wipe Down Your Phone Every Night
What exactly is lurking on your phone, and how should you go about cleaning it?
DIY Secrets: Make Your Own, Home-Made Ziploc Bags!
This video will teach you how to make your own home-made Ziploc bags.
These False Money-Saving Tips Will Make You Spend More
There are a lot of very common money management tips that are simply not true. These are 8 myths on saving that should be debunked.
These Uses For Yogurt Will Leave You Very Surprised
Yogurt can do a whole lot more than just taste nice. In fact, it has many different uses. Here are 10 alternative uses for yogurt.
Fake Olive Oil: Here's How You Can Spot It!
If you want to know whether the olive oil you have bought is real or an imposter, here's how you can tell!
How to Deal With Combination Skin That's Both Oily and Dry
If you suffer from combination skin, read on to discover the reasons behind it and learn several simple ways to deal with it.
Keep Your Oven Clean with This All-Natural Cleaner
This non-toxic all-natural oven cleaner will keep your oven looking spick and span.
A Better Kitchen: 20 Tips You Can't Afford to Miss
How to make your kitchen one of the EASIER rooms in the house? Just check out these 20 tips that'll make your kitchen a much nicer place
12 Myths We've Been Told About Intercourse that Aren't True
It's time to expose some of the myths we've all been told but are actually boldfaced lies.
This Weird Hack Will Keep Your Cookies Fresh for Days
Keep your cookies fresh for days with this unbelievable, weird hack.