Free Stenciling Patterns

Free stenciling patterns can be found on websites that you can print and use.

Stenciling is an ancient form of decorating walls, floors, furniture, glass, windows, pottery, and even fabric. The cutout shape has come a long way with modern technology and lasers, not to mention the medium of acetate (Mylar film) for the pattern, but the technique is basically the same.

Unlike other artforms, stenciling is an artform that is forgiving of novices. If you use the right paint and method, you can have a professional finished look to your stenciling. The most popular technique is the dry brush method. In some cases, you may opt for a wood stain in place of paint, especially if you’re going for a specific look for hardwood floors and some furniture.

You can find almost any kind of stencil pattern online for free. Most of the stencils you find are easy to download and print using your home printer. You’ll want to use acetate sheets commonly called transfer sheets. These can be purchased at a craft store or any office supply store. Once you’ve selected the designs you want to use and have printed these off, you’ll need to cut out the patterns. This is the tricky part and will determine if your finished design looks professional.

Cutting out your own stencil patterns is an artform unto itself, but one you can easily master if you work carefully and slowly.

Tools Needed

• Craft knife with changeable blades.
• Cutting Surface
• Printed Stencil Pattern
• Masking Tape

You’ll want to start where the design has the longest and straightest line. You can tape the acetate down and turn the cutting board, or some stencilers prefer the flexibility of turning the acetate sheet while cutting out the pattern. If you have a circular or arched pattern, rotating the sheet of acetate while you cut will make the cut cleaner and more precise. Take your time so you only need cut each line one time.

Border stencils can help to break up a bare wall and add color and interest to a room. You can use stenciling in the place of crown molding to give your room a finished look. If your room has crown molding you can just as easily stencil below the molding for a border effect. The key to any kind of stenciling is to make sure you’re stenciling along a straight line the same way you would with a wallpaper border.

If you’d like a chair railing in your dining room or kitchen breakfast room, but it’s not in your current budget, consider adding a stencil effect. Stenciling in lieu of a wood chair railing can mimic the effect of a chair rail. It’s a creative way to add color and design to your room.

You can also use stencils to create a wallpaper effect for your room. This kind of stenciling gives you incredible freedom to create any kind of wallpaper look you want.

Floor stencils are another great way to decorate a room, especially if you have old floors that are in need of refinishing. You can be very creative with floor stenciling making your pattern as complex and elaborate as you want or keep it simple with a single border outlining your room.

If you have a large room with more than one grouping of furniture, you can use floor stenciling in the place of rugs. Simply measure the size you wish for your wood rug and then add a stencil border. This is a good technique for defining spaces without the added expensive of purchasing a new rug.

If you have an old piece of furniture that you’ve decided to repurpose, you may want to go with a country cottage look. A paint wash and a distressed finish on furniture both work well with stenciling.

You can spruce up your kitchen cabinets with the perfect stenciling. You may choose to add a corner stencils to cabinet doors or a delicate edging pattern.

When you start looking for free stenciling patterns, you may be surprised at how many are available online. You can find stencils suitable for any kind of surface or material.

A Few Free Stencil Resources

• Spray Paint Stencils
• for Xmas Holiday Stencils
• Stencil Café
• Fashion Frog
• Pumpkin Carving Stencils
• Leaf Stencil
• Free stencil Library

• Country Style Decorating Ideas
• Bathroom Design Pictures
• Interior Paint Color Combinations

• Country French Style Basics
• Common Themes for Teenage Bedrooms
• Designing for Small Spaces
• Basics of Color Design
• Asian Style Interior Design