4 Ways To Decorate With Stencils

by Myra on August 12, 2011

The following post is from Myra of My Blessed Life:

source: design sponge

Does your home need some extra visual impact? Or do you have furniture that could use a face-lift? Stencils are a stunningly beautiful addition to home decor because they make a powerful statement.

Now, I’m not talking about the alpha-numeric stencils that you may have used for a science fair project back in elementary school. Stencils have come a long way in recent years.

Decorating with stencils is an inexpensively fun and versatile way to add visual interest to your home. Here are four ways to decorate with stencils:

source: house and home

1. Create An Accent Wall

Walls are tricky subjects to decorate. There are so many options to choose from – wallpaper {yes, it’s back!}, faux finishes, special paint techniques etc – that it can be entirely too overwhelming.

To avoid such difficult decisions, painting all the walls in a room the same color seems like the easiest option. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with identically painted walls, oftentimes a stenciled accent wall is just the solution that a room needs to sparkle.

source: paisley wallpaper

2. Brighten Floors & Ceilings

This category is a bit more out of the box than stenciling a wall. It takes a brave soul with superior patience and stamina to stencil a floor or ceiling, but the results are incredibly rewarding and gorgeous. Old hardwood floors that need to be sanded and refinished can be painted and stenciled for a fraction of the cost of refinishing.

source: good girl gone glad

3. Makeover Tired Furniture

Thrifted or yard sale furniture are prime targets for a stenciled treatment. From stenciled tops to stenciled doors and everything in between the options are endless for creating one-of-a-kind furniture that reflects your personality and style.

source: style at home

4. Design A Stenciled Rug

Stenciling a rug is the most basic {and least frightening} project out there to get you initiated into the wonderful world of stenciled home decor. I’ve recently spotted several fabulous stenciled door mats and runners, so I’ve added this easy project to my growing to-do list.

You’re probably wondering where to buy stencils to decorate with. I used a stencil from Hobby Lobby on my nightstand makeover, but I’ve also heard rave reviews about the beautiful patterns from Cutting Edge Stencils.

For more stencil inspiration check out my Stenciled Beauty Pinterest board!

Have you used stencils to decorate in your home? Would you be willing to try it out?

	Myra has a B.A. in Interior Design and is currently self-employed. When she’s not spending time with her little man, thrifting, creating, shopping or working on a project, Myra enjoys date nights with her husband and blogging at My Blessed Life.

Matt and Heather Lane

I love the floor stenciling idea! My upstairs bedrooms have old old old wide pine board floors. This would definitely cover some of the more unpleasant areas

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

I love that idea too — such a simple way to add interest to a room!
Myra

That is a wonderful idea Heather!!

http://www.afullday.com Joii C.

Love it! I’ve never seen that before.
Snowfamilyof6

I love the floor stenciling as well! Just gorgeous!

Myra

It’s so unique. A real showstopper!

http://joyceandnorm.wordpress.com Joyce and Norm

Love this post. I was going to wrap up some gifts the other day because I love trying out new out new wrapping designs, but I remember all the gift bags we received last year with the gifts, so I did that instead. =)
Anonymous

Thanks for sharing the St Jude’s card recycling program. Great way to support this organization.
Brandina

Thank you so much for sharing this. The kiddo has been coughing since the beginning of Christmas break, both my parents ended up with it, and a sister. Just today, I started feeling it. Will definitely be making this soon.

http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Aww, it’s definitely going around! Hope you all feel better soon!

Kathleen K

I make this, and the family loves it. I’m not convinced of its “medicinal” value, but it does make some of my other potions more palatable. And its a WONDERFUL pancake syrup!

http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Oh, that’s interesting, Kathleen – have you just not seen it work for your family? From everything I’ve read, even the medical community doesn’t dispute the value of it, so I’m curious where your skepticism comes from! It is yummy, though – love the idea of using it as syrup, etc.

http://www.morethanmundane.com/ Krissajeldy

Wow…so much great information here. I have to admit, I’ve never considered all of this, so your post is definitely giving me lots to think about. Thanks!
Aleighanne

I noticed I started having really bad headaches and more sensitivity to regular
fluorescent lights so much so that now when I go in a store I have to wear sunglasses or I start getting eyestrain and headaches.
Jonathon

Ok, first let me commend you on the amount of information you were able to compile. There’s a ton in this post. Second, from what I’ve heard, there is more mercury released into the atmosphere via the production of electricity used in incandescent light bulbs than there is in any CFL. Hands down, I appreciate the new law, but I also think we need to approach the new choices with as much criticism as we do any other health/safety item and hopefully, make those new products less potentially harmful and less environmentally taxing.
Jonathon

After re-reading your post, I did notice that you included the mercury counterpoint. I missed it the first time through.
lucy

I work in an unheated, uninsulated metal building, 74′ by 114′. In Minnesota winters, the recommended CFLs barely glow, much less produce a workable amount of light. The only suggestion I have been able to get was to heat the building so the CFLs work. Energy savings?
Kimmykokonut.com

I made this recipe but after simmering I was left with only a few drops of liquid to add to the honey. Tips? How much should I end up with? Thanks for sharing!
http://www.6packsdiet.com/ Albin

This is the best article I have seen on CFLs. I appreciate all your comments on this controversial issue. Personally, I think that there should not be any law about what kind of light bulb to use or not to use. Some people will want one type and others will want the other. Let the people choose. We have way to many laws trying to tell us how to live our lives. Let the people choose for them selves.
http://articles.earthlingshandbook.org/ Becca

Thanks for compiling all this info in one place!

I have been transitioning to CFLs since they became available in local stores about 12 years ago. They have improved noticeably in both quality and price since then. Although I am prone to migraines and sensitive to light quality, I do not have any more trouble with CFL light than incandescent light. My favorite thing about them is the convenience of being able to go several years without changing a light bulb.

About the breakage: CFLs are a lot more durable than incandescents. I have never broken a CFL, despite occasionally dropping one or knocking over a lamp, whereas I’ve had incandescents shatter in my hand as I tried to screw them into a socket. I’ve also had incandescents that were ruined without ever being used because they were bumped and the filament broke. So although CFLs are more dangerous if they do break, I see them as less risky and a better value overall.
Judi

I am a hoarder. ) I have not liked the CFL’s since they came out. They don’t last very long in our home. Definitely under a year, and at the price they are, I can’t afford to buy them so often. I get headaches from them. Thanks for your research, Katie!
Christina P

Thanks so much for putting all this information together for us! I’m definitely opposed to the government “mandating” (questionable word choice, I know) such a thing. This is simply not their job and even if it were their job, CFLs haven’t been around quite long enough and haven’t proven themselves quite well enough to justify this.

Also, incandescent bulbs are quite ugly; CFLs are even uglier, in my opinion. Since they shouldn’t be “enclosed” does that mean I can’t cover them in a pretty light fixture? I guess I’ll be using one of the other options!
Mel

I made the switch to CFL’s, including using the “new improved” variety. About three months ago I switched back to incandescents because:
The light was lousy-in the bathroom it took forever to get bright enough, in the kitchen it made all my food look weird. Reading was a pain.
They did not last. I had the same experience as a previous commenter, replacing CFL’s after a few months when regular bulbs had lasted much longer.
No energy savings at all. Our electric bill shows us our usage for the same month in the previous year- after one year of all CFL there was no change.
http://roscommonacres.com/ Dana

Oh my goodness, I am yet to have a cfl last longer than an incandescent. I think because they’re made in China and not subjected to the same kinds of standards, not to mention whatever abuse of shipping across the ocean.

Mary

I don’t think I have had a cfl last longer than my incandescent bulbs. To get a refund, both the original receipt and upc symbol are required.

Katey

That was a well researched article and I appreciate your hard work. For me the entire bill, including mandates supported by “science” provided by GE just hits me in the Bad from the Beginning Bullseye! I won’t buy them and would rather end up with candlelight and eyestrain than spend one penny on a CFL.
Angela

Thanks for the info. I didn’t know about the mercury & breakage – not pleased as I have young boys. Also I’m wondering if the enclosed piece is causing my cfls to burn out faster than the incandescents. I thought it was our old wiring somehow not working well with them. Shows how little I know
raanne

I like that you mentioned that CFLs are not being mandated, just the energy efficiency of the bulbs (amount of light per watt) – essentially there are tons of bulbs out there that aren’t cfls that meet the new energy standards. The government has every right to set energy standards – especially considering that that energy use is what contributes to a lot of our polluted air. Its no different than the government regulating auto efficiency. The media has blown this out of proportion by turning it into something its not. And they’ve tried to play politics with it when the bill was bipartisan, and passed 10 years ago. Everyone knew it was coming, but didn’t get upset until the media started trying to make it an “issue”. CFLs are the same technology as the fluorescent lamps that have been in stores and offices since the 60s – the C just stands for “compact” – the tube has been twisted into a spiral to fit into the normal sockets that incandescent use. Incandescent use TONS of energy respectively, and essentially the technology hasn’t changed in a hundred years. Can you find any other technology that is used that frequently that hasn’t become more efficient in that long of a time period?

http://twitter.com/kitchenstew Katie Kimball

Good point on gov’t regs of energy – I just wish there were more and more affordable options, but hopefully there will be soon. katie

Sara

Okay, I know this is sooooo not the point, but let’s not give momentum to the idea that boys are the only ones that rough house and break things. They aren’t! I wouldn’t want these in my daughter’s room any more than my son’s.

Other than that, I’m frustrated that everything seems like one step forward, two steps back. We put in CFLs to be environmentally and budget friendly, not fully realizing the potential health implications. Argh!

http://twitter.com/kitchenstew Katie Kimball

Good call, Sara! You are totally right that I was promoting a stereotype…sorry about that! You bet my daughter, too, could break a bulb as quickly as (or moreso?) than my sons! Katie

Cass Rios

Thanks for this article. My husband and I were just talking about light bulbs yesterday and planning on going back to the old ones for the same reasons most other commenters list (high price, no change in electric bill, and not one CFL we’ve had lasting more than a year, if that). Now I might continue that conversation a little longer but I’m still not sure of the improvement to the environment if the CFLs aren’t lasting long enough to make a difference in the long run anyway.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Elizabeth-Hobbs/100003042251514 Elizabeth Hobbs

I have found the CFL’s we have (purchased on their equivalence, like equivalent to 75W, 100W or whatever) didn’t seem to actually put out that much light, even in our reading lamp that is on for hours at a time. I have a recessed fixture over my desk. When the spot-light bulb burned out we replaced it with an LED. It’s been on for hours now & is barely warm to the touch, I love the quality of the light, & it works with the dimmer switch with no problems. The CFL’s we put in our ceiling fans also don’t play nice with our fans. Even with the switch off they still flicker. Talk about giving you a headache!
Tiquose

When I lived off-grid (on solar electricity only) CFLs were the only rational choice. I was eager to use them because we were in serious “green” mode. To my disappointment I spent the whole time pining for incandescents because the light always seemed “off” in ways I have trouble describing. We still have some of the old CFLs that put off greenish light – I think these could last as long as advertised. However, the newer ones that give better-colored light have shorter lives. 100-watt-equivalent CFLs do the best job of mimicking incandescents when used in place of 60 watt bulbs, especially in multiples.

My limited experience with LEDs is that the light color is creepy.

At Home Depot I saw some 60-watt bulbs by Phillips that look like incandescents and are marked “28% more efficient”. What are these? Has anyone tried the new Plumen CFL from Europe?

I am hoarding, big-time, planning to use incandescents in at about 60% of the house. Most of the CFLs go in the basement but they are tempered by a few incandescents. That seems to cut down on the fluorescent side effects.
http://thefisherlady.blogspot.com/ thefisherlady

I have a tin of candles in need be
Kyle and Jessica Winter

I find this topic to be such bother with no clear answers. Thanks for taking it on, I really appreciate your well written and thoughtful post. I personally can vouch that the fluorescent bulbs we put in the can fixtures in our kitchen don’t even last a year, it seems like we are always replacing them – but the halogen alternative wasn’t any better and was more expensive. Also, thank you for the food for thought on my preschooler’s bedroom lamp. Thank the good Lord her bulb hasn’t broken yet, but she’s always knocking that thing over. Tomorrow’s mission – find an old incandescent somewhere in the house for her room. Thanks again!
Hunter

Thanks for the great post! I would add that the strain from CFLsfor people wih light sensitivities shouldn’t be overlooked. I personally get migraines from exposure to fluorescent lighting, and for people with certain seizure problems (like one of my good friends) sitting in a room with fluorescents is impossible (and incandescents are best).
There are other options, I know, but I’m still concerned from this side of the issue.
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http://www.smrbathrooms.co.uk/ martin

Nice tutor.Your way of presentation is really too good.I am
totally impressed by your post.I am looking for your more updates.Keep them
coming.
http://www.premierbathrooms.co.uk/ Dana smith

Informative post. You have made really some good points in
this post. I appreciate your writing skills. Its good. Keep it up.
http://www.josephinehome.co.uk/by-department/bedroom/cushions.html Tweed Cushions

Wish I’d found this blog earlier. Some really great
posts.Very interesting. I hadn’t thought of some of these things before.
Thanks.
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http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Awww, I’m so sorry, Michelle! No fun!
http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Thanks, Cindy!
http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

My oldest wants to help me make the new batch, and I love that I can learn about it and pass it on to them and someday they might use it for their kids too! Going to look into tumeric tea – thanks!
Jenny

Ours too!! I have never had a CFL last more than a year, but some of the incandescents that were in our house when we moved in 4 years ago are still going strong. I don’t know how kong they were there previously. (and I’ve noticed that our electricity bill has actually gone UP because our heater is on more. ) Also agree on the headaches/eyestrain issues. It’s terrible.
http://twitter.com/kitchenstew Katie Kimball

Phew! That’s worth returning, for sure – did you keep the packaging? They do burn out faster when turned on and off a lot, so leaving them on, even if you leave the room for anything less than 15 minutes, is best practice. Katie
http://twitter.com/kitchenstew Katie Kimball

Pamela,
SO scary being pregnant, too! Gah! Yes, I’d just die if one broke on carpet, even if it’s “not all that dangerous”. Whatever. Katie
http://twitter.com/kitchenstew Katie Kimball

Anne,
Hear, hear! “I’d rather use less efficient light bulbs than live around lights that make me ill.”
Katie
Pat C

I agree with Tan. I think the new LED lights are getting better. We switched a CFL in our bathroom to and LED that looks more like a regular light bulb and I think the color and light output is so much better. We also replaced our outdoor Christmas lights this year with LED–the color isn’t quite the same as the neighbor’s regular lights but it also didn’t blow our breaker switch like the old Christmas lights did. Definitely made a convert out of me!