15 Fun Things You Can Stencil

Let’s go back to the old days and old ways of stenciling. No chalk transfers, or other specialty stencil type products produced over the past few years can compare to a perfectly designed stencil. 

The one thing you need besides a good stencil, paints, and brushes, is the know-how. I’ve got you covered there with a full tutorial on how to use multiple paint colors and one stencil to achieve a unique…. and perfect design. But first take a look at the many types of items I’ve stenciled……and you can stencil too….

1. Lazy Susan

A plain wood countertop Lazy Susan is like a blank slate. There are so many options for giving it a new look. I chose to use a Handmade Charlotte stencil from Folk Art and 5 bold acrylic paint colors to jazz it up. 

Trash To Treasure: Thrift Store Lazy Susan Makeover

2. Any Type Of Furniture

This side table project was part of a wall gallery/room challenge. I painted and stenciled the side table and one of the art piece on the wall. All of the projects were completed with craft products from Plaid. 

Blue Milk Paint Table With Stencil and Room Reveal

3. Clay Pots

Small flexible stencils are the easiest to work with when stenciling clay pots or any round item. If your stencil is large then just cut it up! After stenciling the flower pot I made a fun Easter display.

Enchanting Easter Crafts To Brighten Your Spring Decor

4. Signs

I wanted to make a shutter sign for the guest bedroom but I wasn’t sure what I wanted it to say. It could say “welcome” or “have a good day” or just about anything but I thought “hello sunshine” would make my guests smile.

DIY Stenciled Shutter Sign | Hello Sunshine

5. Books

I bought this book at the local flea market/thrift store for 50 cents. Not a bad price at all. It had a paper cover but I did away with that. Next I selected a paint color and stencil design.

Painting Old Books For An Attention Grabbing Look

6. Scrap Wood

I love this little heart because it isn’t just a solid red or pink heart. The cut out designs make it fun and I used three colors on the one stencil to give the heart depth. That is how to make a stenciled design look great…..add more than one color for depth.

How To Stencil a Heart

7. Metal Tool Boxes and Tackle Boxes

Old metal cases, tool boxes, and fishing boxes are cheap at the thrift store. Buy one today, spray paint it, and then stencil a cute design. The boxes are great for jewelry storage or craft storage.

How To Repurpose A Metal Toolbox Into A Jewelry Box

8. Wood Coasters

There are many ways to decorate wood coasters. I have mod podged confetti to them but stenciling gives you more options. 

Stenciled Wood Coasters Make Great Gifts

9. Metal Caddy’s

This stenciled metal caddy project was for Target and Plaid. I bet you didn’t think paint would stick to metal very well. If you use the right paint it will. A simple design was all the caddy needed to  make it unique. 

Painted Metal Caddy Is Handy For Just About Anything

10. Paper

I just love brown Kraft paper don’t you? There are so many things you can do with it. I like to use it as wrapping paper. All you need to make it perfect is a pretty bow or if you are real crafty….a stenciled design.

DIY Christmas Wrapping Paper

11. Jewelry Boxes

Did you have a jewelry box when you were young. I did but it wasn’t a wood box. I like the wood boxes because I can decorate them any way I like. This stencil is one of my very favorites!

Paint A Tile Stencil Design On Wood

12. Clothing

The secret to stenciling anything like a pro is a very very dry stencil brush. Dip your brush in the paint and then dab almost all of the paint off on a paper towel. Really! I stenciled the onesie for a friend’s newborn baby.

2 Pink Flamingo Projects

13. Glass

Yep, this stencil is over glass. I first spray painted the glass and frame then stenciled the seashell design right on top.

DIY Stenciled Seashell Mirror

14. Cardboard Drink Totes

It seems such a waste to toss out those heavy cardboard drink totes from the fast food joints. I save them for organizing stuff and I sometimes paint and stencil them.

DIY Picnic Caddy: Thrifty Repurposed Cardboard Drink Carrier

15. Wicker Trays

The tray happens to be wicker but you can stencil any type of tray. I like the wicker because after painting and stenciling I did just a bit of sanding on the paint. The woven wicker looks great distressed. 

How To Stencil A Farmhouse Style Design | Thrift Store Decor

Now learn the proper way to stencil here…. Stenciling Tutorial Using Multiple Colors – Tips From A Pro

I hope you enjoyed the projects and thanks for being here, Kathy