How to stencil a border

Decorative stencilling allows you to create any number of different looks. You even have the freedom to design and create your own stencil for putting a stamp of individuality on the room you decorate. Once you have chosen or made the design you want to go for, here's how you go about decorating.

Level of difficulty

Level 2: Intermediate

What you need

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Spirit level
• Ruler
• Painter's tape
• Stencils
• Stencil colours
• Palette
• Stencil paint brush
• Stencil adhesive tape
• Protective sealer

The steps to follow

1. Clean the area where you're planning to stencil.
2. Measure and draw a horizontal line on the wall to mark the border.
3. Measure up or down from this line and draw a second horizontal line to close the border.

Note:
Use a spirit level and ruler when drawing these horizontal lines.

4. Tape along the top and bottom edges of these lines with painter's tape.
5. Start stencilling from the far left of the border.
6. Fix the first overlay stencil on the wall with stencil adhesive tape.
7. Pour stencil paint colours onto your palette.
8. Load a small amount of paint on the stencil brush.
9. Soak most of the paint with paper towel. The paint brush should be semi-dry, with a bit of paint.
10. Hold the brush perpendicular to the stencil and dab it around in circular motion.
11. When you're done stencilling the first pattern, move on to the next area.

Note:
Make sure to follow your horizontal guidelines so that your stencil will be straight on the border.

12. Tape the overlay stencil on the wall with stencil adhesive tape and repeat steps 7 to 10.
13. When you're finished, remove the overlay stencil and let the border dry.
14. Next, apply a thin coat of protective sealer to the border.