How to Stencil Old Painted Furniture

Old painted furniture can be alluring in country or rustic style home decor. You can enhance the appearance of these charming old pieces by stenciling designs or your favorite inspirational quotations directly onto the painted surface. Follow these tips and techniques for transforming your old furniture into distinctive pieces of art for your home.

Things You'll Need

• Light grade sandpaper
• Stencil
• Straightedge and pencil
• Painter's tape
• Stencil brush
• Acrylic paint

Instructions

1. Select the stencil that appeals to you from online retailers or at your local craft store. Create a border from one stencil and add a different scene to the center of the top. You could also add a smaller version of the centerpiece to the drawers or door fronts of the piece. You can find letters, words or complete sayings in pre-made stencils, or you could create any phrase you like by joining the words and letters together.

2. Lightly sand the areas of old painted surface where you plan to apply your stencil. Tape the stencil in place with painter's tape.

3. Dip the tip of your stencil brush into the acrylic paint and then dab it on a paper plate or towel to remove the excess paint. Apply the paint to the open area of the stencil with a swirling motion of the brush until the area is covered. Finish painting the stencil pattern, then remove the stencil from the furniture. If your pattern repeats, clean any paint from the back of the stencil before taping it onto the next section. Any stray paint on the stencil will be applied to the painted furniture. Continue taping the stencil and swirling on the paint until your furniture is stenciled as you like.

4. Measure the height of your letters or words, then mark two light pencil lines along the painted surface of your furniture equal to this measurement. A straightedge is helpful for making straight lines. Theses guide lines will help you as you place your letters before stenciling them. Keep the phrase between the lines and your stencil will be straight. Erase any pencil lines that you can see after the paint is dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy more than one stencil brush for different colors of paint. Wash the brushes immediately after your use them.

• Apply paint in a well-ventilated area.

Resources

• Local Craft Store