How to Decorate With Wall Borders
Wall borders add color, texture, dimension and patterns to a room. Use wall borders to adorn an accent wall, or extend the look throughout the room. Combine wall borders with other decorative elements such as wallpaper, faux finishes, packaged murals, architectural elements or punchy colors to create a distinctive space. The best aspect of wall borders is that they are easy to change when you want to shift the look of your wall decor. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Beautiful Borders
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Assess your living space to determine which walls benefit best from wall borders. Choose to highlight a preexisting architectural element, such as columns, arches, wainscoting, picture rails, chair rails or built-ins by adding a decorative border. Steer attention toward an accent wall by adorning it with a border along the floorboards or, for a more ornate look, a wraparound border. Bring a dark corner, narrow hallway or negative space to the foreground by using wall borders.
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Determine the backdrop for your wall border. Many people add wall borders to a plain white wall to eliminate the blank canvas feeling of a space. Others apply a color, faux finish, wallpaper treatment or stain to a wall before adding a wall border. Go Tuscan villa with mottled yellow and earthy stains with a wall border in terracotta or French country with cornflower blue and a wall border stencil of mustard tone fleur-de-lis. Make the look sophisticated with a background of cool blue-based gray and wall border decal in black graphics.
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Choose a wall border style. Use pre-cut stencils in patterns, ethnic motifs or abstract designs. Create your own stencils with objects such as doilies. If you yearn for a more creative do-it-yourself project, freehand paint a border that does not require exact symmetry, like a winding vine. Wall decals in vinyl come in all manner of designs, from swirls and dots to original images by international artists and designers. Wallpaper borders have a more classic look, and modern versions come with dried paste already applied to the backing, making installation a snap.
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Measure the space for your wall border. Use pencil marks and, if necessary, a level to ensure that you apply your trim symmetrically. Save extra pieces of wall border in case you need to remove and reapply a section. Use extra wall borders to echo design motifs on other walls or even on furniture.
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Apply the wall border. If you are using wallpaper borders, have water and rags available for adhering the border and wiping up excess moisture. If you are using stencils, tape them on in segments, and check as you go to ensure you stay even with the floorboards or ceiling line. If you are using decals, opt for a direct line, or vary the height and spacing of the decals for a funkier and less symmetrical look.
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Tips & Warnings
Extend the look of your wall borders by painting coordinating, but not necessarily matching, trim on a wooden armoire, coffee tabletop or bookshelf backing.
Test a small portion of the wall border on the wall to ensure it adheres well. Bumpier and textured walls can impede proper adhesion of wallpaper borders and wall decals.
