Stenciling is one of the best ways of bringing creative detail into the home, without the need for any artistic talents whatsoever. Of course, there’s always the option of creating your own stencils from scratch. But in most instances, you’re perfectly within your rights to purchase those designed and sold by others!
The great thing about stenciling is that it gives you the opportunity to bring a pop of color – any color you can think of – into just about any interior space. It’s quick, it’s easy and if you change your mind, it’s not the end of the world…you can simply paint over it with something else.
Still, you only need to look at a handful of amateurish efforts to realize that stenciling interior walls isn’t always as easy as it looks. That is, unless you’re happy with substandard results. Like all other aspects of interior painting, there are certain important pro tips to follow, to ensure you get it right.
So rather than simply reaching for the nearest stencil and can of paint, check out the following six-step process and you’ll be ready to paint like a pro:
Step 1 – Prep Your Walls
As we’ve said a thousand times before, nothing matters more than sufficiently prepping your walls. This means not only ensuring everything is as clean as can be, but also that everything in the vicinity has been sufficiently protected. The last thing you want is a gorgeous stenciled design to be diluted in impact by messy paint splatters all over the place.
Step 2 – Determine the Layout
Think carefully ahead of time as to exactly how you intend to position the stencils. Simply making it up as you go along isn’t a good way of producing a quality result. Start from one corner of the wall or area and gradually work your way along, ensuring you find the perfect spot for each element of the design. Also, ensure someone else takes a look to ensure you’re not heading down entirely the wrong path.
Step 3 – Stick the Stencils in Place
The vast majority of stencils can be held in place sufficiently using painter’s tape. There are also various types of adhesive sprays that can be used to hold stencils in place and remove them, without causing any damage to the paint. When sticking your stencils in place, be as meticulous as you can possibly be to ensure that they are straight and in the perfect position.
Step 4 – Painting
When the time comes to apply the paint, you’ll typically achieve much better results by using a dabbing motion, rather than brushing. In professional circles, this is sometimes referred to as stippling…just in case you wondered! It’s a helpful technique as it can minimize the likelihood of paint creeping its way under the outline of the stencil and ruining the definition of the final result. Traditional brushes of decent quality are usually fine, that you may find it easy to use a foam brush. Take your time and apply the paint very gradually.
Step 5 – Move On
If using the same stencil to be used a number of times on the same wall, ensure it is removed each time before the paint becomes too dry. This will help ensure that the paint isn’t chipped or peeled away upon removal of the stencil. Likewise, be wary of any blobs of paint on the stencil that could be transferred to areas of the wall you’d rather keep clean.
Step 6 – Finishing Up
Continue the process until your design is complete and step back to admire your handiwork. There’s a chance that at this stage you may notice one or two imperfections in the designs you’ve added to the walls. If this is the case, try to resist the temptation of tackling them right now. Instead, give the paint sufficient time to dry and get back to it later, using a small brush to perfect things if required.
Important extra:
One last note to round off on – it’s critically important that you only ever purchase the highest-quality stencils you can lay your hands on. Substandard stencils have a habit of being laid to waste the moment they come into contact with wet paint, which for obvious reasons can cause all manner of problems.
For more information on anything to do with interior painting or to arrange an obligation-free quotation, get in touch with the Homm CPS team today.