DIY stencils for decor: templates, materials, tips for making

There are many ways to make the interior unique, because modern finishing materials provide ample opportunities for this. It can be bright stickers, unusual compositions, non-standard furniture arrangement. Also, do-it-yourself stencils are often used for decor: the templates and ideas presented in this article will help you choose materials for application, and will allow you to create an individual style in the design of the room.

DIY stencils for decor: templates and their application

Painted walls always make a room inimitable and unique. However, not everyone knows how to draw beautifully, and even the most skillful artist will not be able to repeat the same drawing in the same way. To correct this situation, stencils of drawings on the wall allow. Their use makes it possible to apply the required number of images, and at the same time they will be the same.

In addition, the use of stencils allows you to add volume to the surface, visually expand the space and smooth out irregularities on the wall. Templates are a great way to change a space without a significant investment. The owner can show his creativity and give the room a special uniqueness.

In hardware stores, ready-made stencil templates for walls are offered. However, you can choose your own drawing. It is then simple and easy to make a template from it.

Templates and stencils are actively used in everyday life. In addition to wall decoration, they are great for creating an interesting solution on doors, windows and cabinet doors. Great for creating greeting cards, posters, collage compositions. Quite often they are used in the design of paintings and photographs. In this case, the stencil is placed in the corners.

Recommendations for choosing stencils for wall decor

There are certain requirements that apply to the choice of stencils. They must be adhered to when going to buy templates:

• do not give preference to a large number of elements. As a result, the lines of the drawing will merge, and it will lose its attractiveness. Laconic clear lines are the main requirement when drawing a picture;
• only one type of ornament is used for one room. It is undesirable to mix color and geometric print together;
• templates with very small and frequent elements should be avoided. Instead of an interesting solution, you can get one continuous blurred spot on the wall. Ornaments with a large number of large lines and jumpers look beautiful and interesting.

Types of patterns for wall decor

There are several types of templates for applying pictures to the wall. They allow you to create a flat or volumetric version. The most commonly used types are:

• plain flat. This type is used to create an accent in a room. The drawing is applied to the wall one color. The technique of its implementation is simple and easy;
• multicolor flat. To create a drawing, this technique uses a large number of different shades and shapes. It is most often used in the design of children's rooms, when the drawing should be bright and interesting;
• volume. A putty is used to create this option. The thickness of the resulting pattern is 2-3.5 mm. It can be left white, or it can be painted in different colors;
• anti-stencil. This type is used when it is necessary to paint the surface around the stencil, and not inside it.

With a creative approach, a combination of volumetric and flat options is possible. The result will be admired by the guests.

Decor stencil templates can be single-layer and multi-layer. The first type is used to apply a pattern in one paint overlay. Multilayers are most often found when creating an image in the style of street art. They are great for combining large drawings and hide possible imperfections that arose during the application of paint.

Useful advice! For self-production and application, it is better to choose a single-layer stencil. The image on it should be simple and uncomplicated. For example, you can easily make DIY butterfly stencil templates for decor.

Materials for making templates

Paper is most commonly used to create templates. This material is affordable and can be easily attached to any surface. You can cut out any elements from it without much difficulty, for this it is enough to have scissors at hand.

Cardboard is a more reliable template material, but it is difficult to cut rounds out of it. The advantage is that stencils from it can be used several times.

Self-adhesive tape is great for making a template. It can be easily attached to the wall and removed after drawing. It can be washed and used again.

Long-lasting stencils can be made from plastic, however, special tools and considerable effort are required to cut a pattern in this material.

Highlights of creating decor with a stencil

Geometric patterns are considered the basis for creating a template. This is due to their clear boundaries. These patterns are best suited for beginners in this business. After making the final decision on decorating the surface, you need to buy a template in the store. The second option is to do it yourself.

The resulting template is fixed to the selected surface. For drawing, various paints are used - water-based, acrylic or enamel. A small roller or foam sponge is best suited for this, sometimes aerosols are used. It is better not to use a brush when working with stencils, this is due to the flow of paint over the edges of the template. As a result, the drawing is spoiled and indistinct.

The layout is removed only when the drawing is completely dry.

Useful advice! For application, take a small amount of paint. This will prevent sagging. If the area is poorly stained, it must be carefully touched up with a brush. If the drawing involves the use of several colors, then the next tone is applied only after the previous one has completely dried.

DIY flower stencil templates for decor

When choosing a picture, they most often stop at floral arrangements, which is due to the versatility of this image. The colored ornament looks great in the home and office, and various colors are suitable for coloring. Stencils of flowers on the wall can be easily made by hand. This ornament is best for a beginner's test of strength.

Flowers can be painted in a classic way, or you can give them the look of a surreal vision. In whatever style the room is made, branches and buds will look great in it. This type of ornament in a colorful and monochromatic design is perfect for all rooms in the apartment - hall, bedroom, nursery, kitchen, corridor and bathroom.

Using a butterfly stencil on the wall

Butterflies are another popular ornaments for decorating rooms. They look great on the wall in the bedroom, and colorful butterflies will delight the child. To add zest to the design of the kitchen, place an image of a winged lady there. It is very easy to make butterfly stencils on the wall with your own hands.

Interesting compositions are obtained by combining color patterns with butterflies. In this case, it is better and more appropriate to use a combination of several colors. When choosing butterfly stencils for decoration, it is better to stay on simple shapes with a minimum number of lines.

Picture of a cat on the wall

The image of a cat on the wall can set the tone for the whole room. And it doesn't matter where this fluffy animal is painted: on a wall, shelf or door.

DIY cat stencil templates for decor are pretty easy to make. The image of this animal can be used to decorate a nursery. Quite often, a cat is drawn in a secluded corner, creating the effect of surprise. Such decor does not set the tone for the whole room, but it gives it an unusual flavor. The whole animal is not always drawn, quite often only a silhouette or its funny face is applied to the surface.

Useful advice!The image of a cat requires the appropriate decoration of the room. It is best used in a kid's room or bedroom.

Oriental motives and geometric patterns

Geometric wall stencil templates allow you to create unusual room decor. They are great for both an apartment and an office. The interweaving of simple lines will hide the imperfections of the walls, visually expand or narrow the space. Greek and Byzantine motives are very popular. They can completely cover the entire surface of the walls by replacing the wallpaper.

The interweaving of simple lines creates complex patterns, and the resulting effect is striking in its severity and at the same time intricacy. Geometric paper cutting stencils are best suited for beginners in decorating.

Related article:

Wall stencils for painting: a creative way to decorate the interior

Existing types of stencils, their purpose and application. How to use stencils correctly. The choice of paint for decoration.

Templates for volumetric decor

An unusual effect allows you to get the use of volumetric decor. To create it, mixtures based on gypsum and plaster are used. The result will look rich and beautiful. However, making it takes time, patience and some plastering skills.

To get a voluminous composition, it is not necessary to buy ready-made templates, making stencils for wall decor with your own hands is easier and cheaper.

The process of creating a volumetric composition is reduced to the following points:

• selection of a stencil with an appropriate pattern. Quite often, thick cardboard serves as the material for such a template. It is fixed on the wall with self-tapping screws;
• the prepared mixture is applied to the stencil with a spatula. It is necessary to carefully coat the drawing to get a uniform surface, without voids and irregularities;
• when the solution has frozen, it is necessary to remove the stencil. Now you should start forming the required thickness. This is done by gradually applying the solution with curly spatulas;
• when the finished relief is completely frozen, it is necessary to round off the edges of the surface. For this, the bas-relief is processed with sandpaper;
• the final step is painting the finished decor. In order not to stain the surface around it, it is recommended to use the same stencil. If the relief is on a colored surface, it can be left white.

Unlike painting, volumetric decor takes time and patience to create, but the effect is well worth the effort.

Stencils for furniture and mirrors

Today it is popular to decorate the surfaces of furniture, household appliances or mirrors with various images. This makes the subject unusual and immediately sets it apart from others. The paints used allow you to apply decor to any surface: brick, concrete, glass, wood, fabric, etc.

When choosing templates, for example, flower stencils for decor, for mirror decoration, preference should be given to those that have a self-adhesive base. This will prevent the picture from shifting and will make it possible to obtain clear and beautiful outlines. Stencils are used to decorate the corner of a mirror or its entire perimeter. After applying the image to the surface of the furniture, to preserve it, it is recommended to apply a protective layer of varnish on top.

Fantasy and patience allow you to create real works of art, giving ordinary things an unusual appearance.

Border templates

Quite often, a border is used in the design of a bathroom or other rooms. It consists of a repeating pattern. The result is a continuous pattern that surrounds the room. Images of flowers, plants, dolphins are perfect for these purposes. The resulting drawing is laconic and restrained. Photo stencils for wall decor will help you decide on the choice of pattern for the bathroom. If you want to save time and effort, you can just buy a ready-made template at the nearest finishing materials store.

Features of making templates with your own hands

Stencils made of thick paper do not last more than twice.After that, the edges of the pattern are soaked, and the template becomes unusable. Most often, paper stencils are used to create single images. First you need to print a stencil on the wall, and then cut it out. Only then can you start decorating the wall.

Sometimes, to save the template for future use, its edges are varnished. You can first glue a sheet of paper with tape, and then cut the stencil onto the wall. For butterflies and other intricate designs with fine details, you can use a sharp blade or a utility knife.

Film stencils are great for reusable use. In addition, they are the ideal solution for ornamentation in large areas. Double-sided tape is used to secure the film. If the drawing will be applied to wallpaper or a surface painted with water-based paint, then it is better to choose masking tape.

Plastic or vinyl stencils can be used many times. Masking tape is great for attaching them to the wall. However, such templates are not suitable for drawing large drawings due to their heavy weight.

Advantages and disadvantages of homemade stencils

Decorative wall patterns have a number of advantages and disadvantages. Among their advantages, the following should be noted:

• ease of manufacture. It is enough to print a butterfly stencil on the wall, cut it out and apply a drawing;
• the ability to combine colors;
• a huge number of different patterns;
• the ability to use for finishing furniture, household appliances and mirrors;
• application on all types of surfaces;
• the ability to carry out finishing work with a minimum investment.

Among the main disadvantages are:

• quick failure of the stencil. Especially in the case of using paper or loose cardboard;
• the need for careful fixing of the template to the surface.

It is the large number of advantages that made this type of finishing work so popular today.

Tips for DIY Template Making

You always want the job to be done perfectly. This desire is especially strong in the case of room decoration. It is worth noting that one wrong step can significantly spoil the overall picture and nullify all the efforts made.

A few tips for novice decorators:

• when applying paint to a stencil, the working tool must be held perpendicular to the surface to be painted;
• so that no villi get on the image, you need to paint in a circular motion;
• The best tool for applying paint is a paint roller. Its dimensions depend on the area to be painted;
• you need to take a small amount of paint. The resulting residues should be removed with a sponge or soft cloth;
• reusable stencils at the end of the process must be washed with warm water;
• to protect the ornament from external influences, after drying it should be varnished.

The layout is based on a printed drawing. A large number of photo stencils for wall decor can be found on the Internet. The resulting pattern should first be copied and then transferred to the material for making a template.

Recommendations for drawing a picture on walls

There are a number of points that you need to be aware of when you first decorate with a template.

Important points, the transmission of which will lead to a poor-quality image:

• the surface on which the drawing will be applied must be first cleaned of dirt and degreased;
• the location of the picture should be noted. For this, a regular building level and a pencil are used;
• before applying the image to the selected place, it is recommended to practice on a Whatman paper. This will allow you to understand the principle of applying paint;
• to keep the stencil well, experts recommend using stencil glue. Among its advantages, the following should be highlighted: no marks on the surface and excellent adhesion. The latter excludes the possibility of the stencil sliding down;
• if you decide to apply a large size pattern, then you need to find a place where they can make such a layout. Many companies offer to print free large sizes of stencils for walls, however, subject to further cooperation with him. In this case, it is better to break the picture into small fragments and make several templates for them;

• for drawing, acrylic paints should be preferred. They are great for all types of surfaces and dry quickly;
• using a sponge to paint has one small point. Any excess on it must be soaked onto a sheet of paper. Only after that, start drawing;
• if the drawing is to have volume, an acrylic filler must be used. Using a spatula, it is evenly applied in the right places;
• special attention must be paid to the smooth flow of paint along the edges. If excess is formed, remove it with a sponge;
• carefully fixing the sample will provide a clear, beautiful picture.

Compliance with these simple rules will allow you to avoid mistakes when applying decor and save time on correcting the resulting flaws. A large selection of stencils and templates will allow you to choose the best option for any room and give the room a unique flavor and charm.