How to Stencil Your Floor

We all want to give our own home a unique touch. One way to do that is with stenciling. Most of us are familiar with stenciling on walls but not as many are familiar with stenciling on floors. This article walks through the process of stenciling a hardwood floor. Materials: chosen stencils, stencil paint, stencil brush, pencil, ruler, sandpaper, painter's tape, paper plate (as palette), clear polyurethane, varnish applicator for floors, lightly moistened paper towels

Set up tips:

1. Choose a stencil. Based on the room being stenciled and the furnishings in that room, choose a stencil that will suit the room. The simpler the stencil, the easier the job will be.

2. Choose stencil paint colors that will produce the desired effect, taking into consideration once again the room and its furnishings.

3. Create a sample of the stencil. This will allow the design and colors to be evaluated in the room on a smaller scale.

4. Make several copies of the stencil to allow for proper layout of the stencil later in the procedure.

Procedure:

1. Slightly roughen the floor, where the stencils will be added, using the sandpaper. This will help the paints adhere to the floor surface.

2. Using the lightly moistened paper towels, wipe down the area that will be stenciled. Make sure all dust is removed from the floor surface.

3. It is now time to mark the stenciling area. Determine how far from the baseboard the stencil is going to be. Using a ruler and a pencil, place a light pencil mark that distance away from the baseboard. Do that is several spots. Once several spots are marked, use the painter's tape to connect the spots, to create an even guide for the stencils.

4. Using the stencil copies, create a layout on the floor. Tape them to the floor. This provides an opportunity to ensure the stencils meet up properly, especially around corners and angles.

5. Once the layout is satisfactory, put the original stencil on the floor in the proper starting position. Tape the stencil to the floor and using the painter's tape, cover the sections of the stencil that are not going to be using the first color selection.

6. Put some stencil paint on the paper plate. Using a stencil brush, apply the first color but using a stippling action. Stippling is using the tips of the brush bristles to tap the paint onto the area. The harder the taps are and/or the number of times the stippling is done in a section will determine how dark the color shows up.

7. Once the first color is completed on that stencil section, cover the completed areas with painter's tape. Uncover the sections that will take the second color.

8. Add the second paint color to a paper plate and repeat the same stenciling technique that was used with the first color. Continue this process until the stencil is done, using all the desired colors.

9. Remove the original stencil from the floor and place in the next location to be stenciled. Continue the same stenciling procedure and technique that were used with the first stenciling.

10. Continue the process until the stenciling process is complete.

11. Let the paint dry for a few days. Sand the stenciled areas lightly. Sanding too long or hard could result in the stenciling being sanded away. Using lightly moistened paper towels, wipe up any dust that may have been created by the sanding.

12. To protect the stenciled area, add a coat of clear polyurethane. It is best to apply a coat to the entire floor to ensure a matching finish in the room. If the entire floor is not being coated, try to match the sheen or shine that is on the rest of the floor.

Most home improvement stores, such as Lowe's and Home Depot, can provide advice and suggestions regarding stenciling floors. They are able to match paint colors to almost any item. There are numerous stores that sell stencils and other supplies needed for stenciling floors. They can be found in local areas as well as online. One item listed on Lowes.com is the Stencil Ease Harlequin Wallpaper & Floor Stencil. This stencil is specifically for wallpaper and floors.

While the book is no longer available at Home Depot, I used Decorating 1-2-3 - Faux Painting, Wallpapering, Window Treatments, Floors, Molding & Trim, Lighting - Home Depot by Home Depot; Meredith Book Development Team 2000. The book however, can be obtained from Amazon.com.