How to Cover a Wall With a Yellow Picket Fence

In decorating styles like Shabby Chic, the materials that people use on the outside of the house also work indoors. One popular look is to attach a picket fence to the wall to create a gardenlike atmosphere supplemented with stenciled flowers and butterflies. If you've got your heart set on having a decorative yellow picket fence lining your wall, you're in luck. This project is simple to execute, but adds a great deal of character to a casual style of decorating.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Saw
• Sander and sandpaper
• Paint and supplies
• Screwdriver and screws

Instructions

1. Measure the length of wall on which you'll put the fence. This can be a short or long length depending upon the project.

2. Trim the fence with the saw so that it fits the length of the wall you want to cover.

3. Sand the fence where you cut it so that you'll avoid splinters when you start painting.

4. Paint the picket fence if it's not already painted. Use your decorating style to determine the color of yellow you want the fence to be. For example, in Tuscan-style decorating, yellow-gold is popular, whereas in Shabby Chic style, a yellow closer to sunshine yellow is more common. Letting your decorating style determine the color ensures that the picket fence will fit with the rest of your decorating efforts.

5. Allow the fence to dry according to the instructions on the can.

6. Mark the wall where you're going to put the fence. Make a small "x" on the wall where the ends of the fence are going to be as well as in the middle of the length of wall. The mark in the middle of the wall ensures that a long length of fence will stay up. You might need to make a light mark on the fence as well to ensure that the mark on the wall lines up with the correct spot on the fence. For the most secure result, make your marks on the wall studs.

7. Attach the fence to the wall using an electric drill and screws, trying to stay as close to your wall marks as possible. If you're covering the full length of the wall with the fence, it won't be such an issue, but if you're using the wall to make an item like a headboard for a bed, you'll need to be more precise since the bed won't cover the whole wall, and the fence and the bed should line up.

8. Add other decorative features like stenciling if your project calls for it.

Tips & Warnings

• Picket fences are usually sold at home and garden stores. Additionally, sometimes local auctions carry home and garden materials, and you can often find them at a cheaper rate than you can at other places. You may want to buy a little more picket fence material than your measurements call for in the event you make a mistake or decide you need to cover more wall than you originally thought.

References

• Decorator's Secrets: Jordan
• Creative Homemaking: 6 Budget Ways to Decorate a Garden Bedroom for Your Little Girl 
• Unique Baby Gear Ideas: Nursery Theme Sticker Ideas and Suggestions
• Home Decorating Made Easy: Country Wallpaper Borders For Your Home
• Decorator Secrets: Quick Tips
• The Budget Decorator: Decorating Your Outdoor Room(On the Cheap!)

Resources

• Unique Baby Gear Ideas: Bunny Nursery Theme Ideas
• Country Living: Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas
• House Beautiful: A Spanish Style, Country California Home