How To Stencil Painted Furniture
If you’re looking for a fun and creative way to add some wow factor to your painted furniture, stenciling is the perfect option! Stencils are a great addition to furniture makeovers because they add a unique and personalized touch to any piece. This post will cover the basics on how to stencil painted furniture.
And if you’d like other ideas on accenting painted furniture check out, Furniture Transfers And Stencils
Furniture Makeovers Featuring Stencil Patterns
- Silk Green Painted Table With Gold Stencil Design
- Silk Paint Hampton Olive Little Half Moon Table Makeover
- Silk Paint Deep Seas Table Makeover with Kacha Stencil
- French Provincial Desk Makeover
Why Add Stencil Designs To Painted Furniture
Stencils can be used to create intricate designs, patterns and can make a piece of furniture truly one-of-a-kind. Stencils also allow you to customize your furniture to match your personal style, whether it be shabby chic, farmhouse, modern, or bohemian. With a wide variety of stencils available in the market, you can easily find one that suits your taste and preference.
And, stencils can be easily adjusted to fit your project and reused on multiple projects, making them a versatile tool for any furniture painter. as well as a great accent to any furniture makeover.
Overall, stencils are an affordable, easy-to-use, and creative way to elevate the look of your painted furniture. They offer endless possibilities for customization, making them a great addition to any furniture makeover project.
Stencil Design Techniques
Stenciling is a great way to give an old piece of furniture a brand-new look. There are so many different techniques you can use to get the desired effect. These include single color stencils, multiple layers of colors, blending and even ombre stencil techniques.
And stencils designs can be done with gold leaf also. So truly there are so many options.
Stencils Are Great For All-Level Furniture Painters
Stencils are a wonderful way to enhance the look of painted furniture because they offer endless design possibilities. They can help add character, depth, and texture to any piece of furniture. Moreover, stencils are perfect for those who are not skilled at freehand painting, as they provide a template to follow. By using a stencil, even beginners achieve a professional-looking design with ease.
Stencil Paint Mediums
Another great advantage of stencils is that they work well with various types of paint mediums, including acrylics, chalk paints, and spray paints. They also work well on different surfaces such as wood, metal, glass, and fabric. But in this blog post, we’ll focus on using stencils on furniture.
This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.
What Types of Paint To Use For Stencil
When it comes to selecting the right paint for stenciling, there are a few factors to consider. One important thing to keep in mind is the type of paint that was used to paint your furniture initially.
When stenciling over a painted surface, it’s best to use a paint that is compatible with the existing paint. Another factor to consider is the finish of the stencil paint.
For furniture, it’s best to use a durable, matte or satin finish paint that will stand up to wear and tear. You can also use a clear coat to protect the stenciled design and provide extra durability
There are several paint mediums that work well for this technique. Most often I use chalk mineral style paints, acrylic paints, or metallic acrylics. All of these are water-based paints
Chalk paint is a popular choice for stenciling because it has a matte finish and is quick-drying.
Acrylic paint is another versatile medium for stenciling, with a range of colors and good coverage.
Metallic paints like gold, silver, and copper can add a touch of glamour and sophistication to your stenciled furniture, making them a great choice for designs featuring intricate patterns or bold graphics.
Whether you’re looking for a vintage-inspired, shabby-chic look or a modern, sleek design, there’s a paint medium that can help you achieve the desired effect for your stenciled furniture.
Consider Doing A Raised Stencil Design On Painted Furniture
To do this you can use:
Redesign With Prima Stencil Fiber Paste
Redesign With Prima Glass Bead Gel
I tried this with glass bead gel and with Dixie Belle Dixie Mud. For a raised stencil design no matter what medium you choose, it can be applied with a putty knife or spreader.
Just make sure to hold your stencil down firmly in place. This way the material doesn’t smudge under the stencil edges as you drag it across the stencil.
Once the stencil texture medium is dry then you add any paint colors or other features to the raised pattern.
Here is a link if you’d like to see the Glass Bead Gel Stencil Makeover.
My Most Used Stencil Paint Mediums For Furniture
I tend to use either a contrasting or coordinating paint chalk mineral paint color or a metallic acrylic paint.
One of my favorite products to stencil with is the Metallic Acrylic Sheen by Redesign With Prima. While this comes in many colors, Goldenrod is my go to.
How To Stencil Painted Furniture – Stencil Techniques
When it comes to stenciling furniture, there are several techniques that each create different effects.
Some include:
- dry brushing technique, which involves lightly loading a dry stencil brush with paint and then gently swirling it over the stencil to apply the paint. This technique creates a soft, textured effect that is perfect for creating vintage or distressed looks.
- pouncing technique, which involves using a stencil brush, pouncer or dauber, to dab the paint onto the stencil in an up-and-down motion. This technique is great for creating crisp and clean lines, as well as for applying multiple layers of paint to create a bolder design. One lady suggested using triangle shaped makeup sponges to stencil paint on.
- And Foam Paint Roller. Using a 2 or 4 inch foam paint roller to roll paint on across the stencil. For larger furniture, walls or large stencil designs a 6 inch roller could be used. I like to use the foam roller, not rollers with nap.
Rolling Paint on Stencil using 4 inch Foam Paint Roller
Applying Paint to Stencil Using the Best Dang Brush By Dixie Belle
A Few Tips
The most important thing is not to overload the paint on your brush, sponge or roller. Here’s what I do:
I Put a little paint on a paper plate. Then I ldab the applicator or brush into the paint and dab off any excess on a separate paper plate or paper towel.
If you use a paint roller roll the paint on and then roll off excess onto a separate paper plate or paper towel.
It is easy to add more paint but if you get too much on your roller or applicator it will bleed under the stencil edges and cause your design to blur and smudge. And the goal is a crisp clean stencil design with no smudges.
Dixie Belle Best Dang Brush Makes A Perfect Stencil Brush
Dixie Belle Best Dang Brush is a great brush to use to stencil painted furniture. It has densely packed wide flat bristles, making it easy to apply paint to the stencil accurately. The brush also holds a good amount of paint and with it’s wide flat base, covers well.
Honestly this brush is my go-to for stenciling furniture.
Popular Stencil Patterns For Furniture
Redesign With Prima and Dixie Belle Belle are both well-known brands that offer a wide range of stencils for furniture and home décor. Redesign With Prima’s Kacha Décor line features a variety of intricate patterns, including the Anise and Renata stencils.
They also have more modern and art deco designs by Cece, another well known furniture painter.
Dixie Belle also offers a wide selection of stencils in many different design styles, from vintage to modern.
These brands of stencils are high-quality, made from materials that are durable and reusable, making them a great investment for furniture painters. They work well with various types of paint mediums also.
I find most of these stencils at my local furniture paint retailer or online at Etsy. But Hobby Lobby and Michaels also carry a vast selection of stencils in different styles, shapes, and sizes, and in different brands than mentioned above.
My Favorite And Most Used Stencils
This post contains affiliate/referral links. Find my full disclosure policy here.
So, first I’ll share a list of my most used and favorite stencils
Kacha Décor Stencil by Redesign With Prima in Deco Peacock
Kacha Décor Stencil in Sun Lit Diamonds
Dixie Belle Belles & Whistles Victorian Damask
Belles & Whistles Royal Damask Stencil
Dixie Belle Belles & Whistles Greek Key
Belles and Whistles Moroccan Stencil
Redesign With Prima Stick & Style Stencils – various patterns like Royal Garden and Eastern Fountain
Stencil Techniques – How To Avoid Blurring And Smudging
When stenciling furniture, it’s essential to hold the stencil in place to prevent it from shifting during painting, which can cause smudging or bleeding of paint under the edges of the stencil.
Stencil Adhesive Spray
One effective way to hold the stencil in place is to use stencil adhesive spray.
Stencil adhesive spray is a temporary spray that creates a thin tacky layer on the back of the stencil, ensuring that it adheres to the surface being painted. The spray is easy to use and needs to be applied evenly to prevent any areas from becoming too tacky.
Painter’s Tape
Another option for holding stencils in place is painter’s tape. Use painter’s tape to secure the stencil to the surface being painted by simply taping the edges of the stencil to the surface.
When using stencil adhesive spray or painter’s tape, it’s essential to apply them carefully to avoid damaging the stencil or the surface being painted. It’s also important to remove them promptly after painting to prevent any residue or damage to the surface.
Holding The Stencil In Place With Your Free Hand
Another option, and one I use most often, is just using my free hand to hold the stencil in place. But you have to be very cautious to avoid moving the stencil around accidentally.
Whatever method you choose, it is crucial to achieving a clean, crisp design when stenciling furniture. Stencil adhesive spray, painter’s tape, and simply holding the stencil in place with your hand are all effective options for securing the stencil to the surface being painted.
However, it’s important to use them carefully and remove them promptly to avoid any damage. Experiment with different methods to find the approach that works best for your project.
Consider Stencils With Adhesive Backing
Adhesive stencils, like Redesign With Prima Stick and Style Stencils, have a sticky backing that adheres to the surface, eliminating the need for tape or other adhesives to hold the stencil in place.
One advantage of adhesive stencils is that they can conform to curved or uneven surfaces more easily than traditional stencils.
Adhesive stencils are usually not as durable than traditional stencils, but sometimes you can get multiple uses before they lose their stickiness.
When using adhesive stencils, it’s important to apply them carefully and evenly to avoid air bubbles or wrinkles that can affect the outcome of your design.
It’s also essential to remove the stencil promptly after painting to prevent the paint from drying and adhering to the stencil.
Overall, adhesive stencils are an excellent option for those who want to achieve professional-looking results with minimal effort. And their sticky backing makes them easy to use.
How To Clean Stencils
Cleaning stencils begins with wiping away excess paint from the stencil using a damp cloth or paper towel. Then, soak the stencil in warm soapy water.
Gently scrub the stencil with a soft-bristled brush to remove any remaining paint residue, and rinse it thoroughly with clean water.
Be very gentle with cleaning off stuck on paint so you don’t damage the stencil. While durable they can still be bent and distorted.
It’s important to clean your stencils after each use to ensure that they remain in good condition and produce crisp and clear designs every time you use them.
Ideas For Storing Stencils
Proper storage of stencils is essential to ensure their longevity and prevent damage. One way to store stencils is by using pants hangers. Simply clip the stencil onto the hanger and hang it up in a closet or on a hook. This method is great for keeping your stencils organized and free from any bending or creasing.
Alternatively, you can keep your stencils flat by storing them in a folder or binder with plastic sleeves. Make sure to label each stencil so that you can easily identify them later.
If you stack stencils on top of each other, consider placing a piece of paper between each stencil so they don’t get stuck together and bent or torn.
By storing your stencils properly, you can ensure that they remain in good condition and are ready to use whenever you need them.
A Few Other Stenciled Painted Furniture Makeovers
- Vintage Vanity Makeover with damask stencil design
- Chalk Mineral Paint Nightstand with Moroccan Stencil Design
- Nightstand Makeover with Stencil using adhesive roll stencil
- Morocco Inspired Table Makeover
Summary: How To Stencil Painted Furniture
Stenciling furniture is a fun and creative way to add personality and style to your home décor.
By experimenting with different techniques and using quality tools like Dixie Belle Best Dang Brush, you can create unique and eye-catching designs that are sure to impress everyone who sees them
Overall stencils offer endless possibilities for customizing your furniture and home décor. No matter the style you are going for, there’s a stencil out there that can help bring your painted furniture makeover vision to life.
XOXO Happy Painting,
Abbey
