How to Stencil a Window

Decorate your windows for the season, the holidays or year-round with stenciling. A stencil can be created with floral or leaf designs to add some color to your window inside and out. Window stenciling is also ideal for covering unsightly views.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Leaves
• Tape
• Sponge
• Artist's paint
• Clothespins
• Newspaper

1. Gather some leaves of various shapes and colors. Pick the window in your home that you would like to decorate, such as the main living room.

2. Apply masking tape to the back of the leaves, and then place the leaves on the window into whatever arrangement you prefer. Make sure that the leaves are pressed flat against the window.

3. Cut an unused sponge into small pieces so that you can paint around the edges of the leaves. Attach the sponge pieces to clothespins, and dip them into tempera artist's paint. Use different colors for each piece, such as red, yellow, brown and orange for the fall.

4. Dab excess paint onto an old newspaper. Apply the sponges around the edges of the leaves.

5. Remove the leaves from the window after the paint dries. Leaf outlines will appear on your window. Fill in the leaves with the colors if you wish.

Tips & Warnings

• You can remove the paint from the window if you want to change designs or if you just want a clear window. Use an alcohol-based window cleaner to remove the paint.
• For advanced techniques, use leaf-shaped stencils and stenciling brushes that are found at arts and crafts stores. Try green and yellow paints for stenciling spring or summer leaves on your window.