8 Stunning Ways to Use Stencils Inside (and Outside!) Your Entire House

This one $25 purchase can do wonders for your home. With hundreds of different pattern variations available on the market, stencils are a surefire way to completely change up your space with interesting patterns and prints. And the best part? They can be used in all different parts of your home—from your floors to your walls, to your furniture and beyond. So grab some paint and roll up your sleeves, because we’ve rounded up different ways to use stencils in your next home project.

Carli from Made by Carli used this star patterned stencil to modernize her mudroom entryway. It’s a massive improvement from the pre-existing clay colored tiles that were there previously.

We found Sarah’s chic Portland bungalow on Design Sponge and these dalmatian spots LOOK like wallpaper, but they are actually a stencil.

If Bri of Emerson Grey Designs didn’t mention on her blog that the accent wall in her kids’ shared bedroom was stenciled on, we would have never guessed. In this case, a simple pattern painted on with gold paint created a perfect wall-paper like background for her kiddies.

We also love this wallpaper-like handiwork by Em of La Casa, La Selva in her botanical bathroom, which she shared for the One Room Challenge (also lead image above). The chinoiserie design she used from Cutting Edge Stencil is one of the pricier ones, but you can find similar designs, like this one from Martha Stewart, for less.

You might be surprised to find out that these painted floor tiles actually hold up pretty well. Using real tiles in the washroom could have easily cost Sarah of Colors + Craft over $1,000, but with a cheap and cheerful stencil she was able to create the illusion of real tiles at a fraction of the cost. (This particular stencil was only $9.99.)

Ariel from PMQ For Two is no stranger to bold and colorful hues, and can often be found reimagining every room in her house with bold patterns and bright colors. Using stencils and chalk paint, she transformed a simple dresser to look like custom bone inlay.

Take this idea outdoors too. Here’s a super cute cactus pattern from A Subtle Revelry. She made the stencil herself and used it to spray paint some bright green astroturf from the hardware store.

Amy Saxton painted her home’s house number above their front door, using DIY stencils and some gold leaf. It’s a practical and beautiful way to add a little curb appeal for only $20.

Want more ideas?:

• Surprising Stenciled Surfaces That Look Like a Million Bucks
• How To Make a Custom Stencil For a Paint Pattern

Sources for Stencils:

• Etsy – Tons of options from sellers both large and small
• Amazon – Sells some of the brands here, but also a huge selection of more budget options.
• Cutting Edge Stencils – Our go-to source for traditional designs.
• Royal Design Studio Stencils – A fabulous selection of Moroccan-inspired patterns.
• Simon Says Stamp – Unique small-scale stencils for tiny makeovers.
• Stencil1 – Best for animals, quirky designs, and pop culture icons.