How to Make Wall Decals
While wall decals can create an attractive accent for any room, they are particularly appropriate for rental apartments, children's rooms, or any place that you would like a personal touch without committing to a permanent alteration. You can make wall decals according to any type of personal aesthetic, then easily remove them when you're ready for a change. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Contact paper
- Pens and pencils
- Scissors or craft knife
- Scrap paper
- Printer (optional)
Instructions
-
-
1
Choose contact paper. While most people are familiar with the clear type, not everyone is aware that contact paper now comes in a variety of colors and patterns, which are perfect for making wall decals. Select one style or several that match your decorating scheme.
-
2
Do a patch test somewhere inconspicuous. While contact paper is compatible with most types of paint and does not leave an unpleasant residue, make sure that your room is not an exception. Test by sticking a small piece inside a closet, under a low shelf, or anywhere that will not be very visible. Leave for a day or so, then pull up and check for paint stripping or unacceptable stickiness. This is not a completely accurate test since you will probably leave your decals for much longer, but it should give you a pretty good idea of whether it will be a problem.
-
-
3
Design your images. Use scrap paper to draw or print our images that you will use as templates when you make wall decals. If you have multiple colors or styles of paper, decide what shapes to make out of each.
-
4
Cut out your designs, trace your stencils onto the back of the contact paper, then make wall decals by cutting them out with scissors or a craft knife.
-
5
Assemble your mural by removing the backing paper and sticking up the decals.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You can, of course, draw your designs directly on the back of the contact paper. However, the backing paper is generally printed, so it may be easier to draw on something else, and if you're printing designs it is probably easier to print on plain paper.
