DIY Wall Stencil

Materials and Tools

• Stencil stamp or punch-out plastic stencil
• Stencil brush or sponge
• Paint

Use a stencil stamp or a traditional stencil.

Stencil stamp

Step 1: Apply paint to stamp with a brush or sponge. Dab it lightly on a paper towel to remove excess paint. It should be covered with paint, but not dripping.

Step 2: Apply to wall, holding firmly in place for a couple of seconds to allow paint to transfer to wall.

Punch-out stencil

Step 1: Tape stencil in place on the wall to make sure it doesn’t move. Dip stencil brush in paint. Dab the brush on a paper towel to remove excess paint.

Step 2: Brush paint over cut-out areas of stencil. Carefully lift stencil to avoid smudges.

Step 3: Wipe stencil’s edges before moving to the next spot.

Tips: Practice stencilling on some white paper to get a feel for how much paint you need. Stencil images won’t all look exactly the same: some will have more paint and appear darker while others may be missing a corner or not have enough paint. Not to worry, this adds to the flea-market feel.

Stamp, $2; plastic stencil, $5; bag of brushes, $6; all Michaels; paint, $7, Farrow & Ball.