How to Stencil Your Concrete and Wood Floors

If you have hardwood or concrete floors in your home there usually is not much to do with them except through rugs on it. However nowadays there are more creative ways to add the flair you want to your floors. Now you can stencil them, in many different designs and colors. You can stencil edges or a design in the middle of your floor or even all over if you want it to look more like carpeting.

The first step for stenciling the floor and one you have to remember is clean your floor! This maybe a pain in the neck but if you do not clean the floor prior to stenciling it can change the color of the stencil paint and also catch up hair and grit. Really gross and not something you want permanently on the floor.

If you have wood floors make sure to sand them prior. Nothing too severe just a quick going over to roughen up the surface, and don't worry you will be varnishing and polishing after so the shine with come back.

After cleaning make sure to decide where you want your design, then tape down the stencil with masking tape or wall putty is fine and comes up without a problem. You can use many different brushes or implements to apply the stencil paint. There are stencil brushes which are tough and hard, there are also sponges, or you can use a stiffer sponge you have on hand. The stencil brush will put the paint on deeper and darker, the sponge will be lighter and more textured.

After your design is finished you will want to varnish your floor, you can pick up the particular coating for floor at your local hobby store most of time or a hardware store too. The varnish will coat the floor and keep you from scuffing and scratching the newly stenciled parts of your floor.

Now that you know how what should you do? Well really the sky is the limit on designs. You can paint out a long rectangle in the shape of an area rug in a solid color, and after letting it dry stencil over that color with richer and bolder colors or gold. Giving your floor not only a design but depth. Don't be scared to try different things, such as how you would sponge the wall to give it a textured look or creating the antique crackling you see done now, you can do this with your floors as well.

Remember a few things thought before you stencil. First remember this is going to take a lot of time and if you do not have the time to dedicate to it, don't do it. Because somewhere the design on your floor will become haphazard otherwise. Also remember that concrete floors can take more flowing designs because there are no seems or wood grains to get in the way. Lastly before you start stenciling truly think about it because trying to sand it off your wood floors is a bear and a lot of hard work. Make sure the design is one your willing to live with for a long time, or a design that will help sell the house instead of scare people away. In other words just because you are going through an I love cows phase does not mean painting them on your floor is wise or advised if you are ever planning on selling your home. Just have fun, this is your canvas so create a work of art!