Stenciling for interior walls – what is it and how to do it?

During the renovation of a house or apartment, many homeowners want to show their creativity and decorate the interior walls with original patterns. You can cope with this task even without having special tools at hand. All you need for stenciling for your interior walls is a little imagination.

What is stenciling?

Stenciling is a technique for reproducing designs by passing paint over holes cut in cardboard, metal or another material onto the surface to be decorated. Stencils were known in China as early as the 8th century. Modern stencils for plaster walls are large sheets of silicone, rubber or plastic with patterns embossed on them. Using such stencils, everyone can create two and even three-dimensional patterns on the walls. Templates for working with plaster have many advantages:

• Uniqueness. Using simple paper or silicone stencils, you can add uniqueness to the room. If you want to get a more unique product, you can order it in a printing workshop or even try to make it yourself. At the same time, such template drawings will not distract attention from the rest of the interior details. 
• Practicality. Working with stencils is quite simple. Even a person who has never done any repair works can easily use them. In addition, it is worth noting that high-quality silicone and plastic stencils are durable and can serve their owners for decades. 
• Availability. High-quality templates can be found in ordinary building supplies stores. They are inexpensive.

As for the disadvantages – stenciling no significant disadvantages. People without any experience should practice a little before creating a big pattern on the wall.

Types of stencils for interior wall painting

There are a variety of stencils on the market today, and each type has its own advantages. 

• Paper stencils. These items are disposable. If you have the desire, imagination and skillful hands, you can make them yourself. To do this, it is best to use thick paper or cardboard. Patterns are marked with a pencil, or printed. Cut them out using a sharp utility knife. The edges of the cut pattern should be even. 
• Plastic stencils. These stencils are suitable for creating three-dimensional decorations. The thickness of the templates varies within 5 mm. You can use them many times in a row. You can find such stencils at most building supplies stores. 
• Silicone and rubber stencils. These stencils are the most durable ones. The self-adhesive template is easy to attach to the wall, remaining in place during work. After use, silicone stencils are easy to clean. Therefore, they can be safely reused.

Pattern options

The choice of patterns that can be created on the walls using stencils is quite large. Therefore, you can easily choose something suitable for any room:

• Imitation of brick or stone masonry. Such a pattern is suitable for the kitchen, living room or hallway. It is very easy to work with such stencils. 
• Natural motives. Patterns of natural motives also look beautiful on the walls. Small leaves, honeycombs, exotic flowers or thin twigs will fit into almost any interior. 
• Geometric patterns. Simple geometric patterns are a versatile decor option for any room. Creating such decorative elements is very simple. Even a novice can master it easily. 
• Abstract drawings. Original abstract patterns are a neutral decor option for any room. They can be located both in the center of the wall and around windows, doors and shelves. The basis of such patterns can be additionally painted or varnished. 
• In addition to simple and repeating patterns, large plot drawings are also popular. Using large stencils, you can depict a beautiful landscape or a scene from some famous stories on the wall.

How to use stencils?

Using stencils to create original patterns is very simple. There are several stages: 

• Initial preparation. First of all, you need to prepare the base for creating the decor. The surface of the wall should be smooth, without any cracks and other visible flaws. 
• Fixing the stencil. The next step is to fix the selected stencil on the wall. It is most convenient to attach it using double-sided tape or masking tape. These will be easy to remove after the work is done without any traces left. 
• Priming the wall. Next, the area, which will later be painted, must be carefully covered with a primer. It is applied with a brush. Don’t skimp on primer. The layer should be quite plentiful. Next, the primed area must be dried. 
• Painting or plastering. After that, you can proceed directly to the creation of the pattern. You can simply paint it through the stencil, but you can also create a three-dimensional pattern using some kind of plaster. It is recommended to use high-quality mixtures from trusted brands. as they are dense and flexible enough and extremely easy to work with. The plaster will fit well even in the narrowest slots. 
• Creating fine details. Next, you need to create fine details, if there are such. To do this, you can use a palette knife, a toothpick or a thin needle to draw veins, feathers and other small details in the paint or plaster. 
• Removing the stencil. You do not need to remove the stencil immediately. Some paints and especially plasters need time to dry. Removing the stencil too early can ruin the form. The stencil is usually removed a few hours after the work is done. If you have created a 3D pattern you can process the edges with sandpaper on the next day, when the material is completely dry. 
• Coloring. The dried pattern can be additionally colored. This will make it more vivid. Acrylic or latex paints are usually used for additional coloring. They can be both matte and shiny.