Frugal Garden Decor - Using Plaster Stencils to Create Elegant Enhancements in Your Home Garden

If you've completed your garden decor, but it still needs a little "push" in the creative direction, stenciling might be just the right technique to add flavor to your garden.

What Is Plaster Stenciling?

Plaster Stenciling is the art of decorating using a plaster-based joint compound and pre-made artwork designs in the form of a stencil.

Stenciling was very popular years ago, but for some reason, it became almost obsolete for a while.  Today's decor fans are turning back to stenciling to create gorgeous home and garden decor items for "next to nothing" in price!

How Can Stenciling be Used for Frugal Garden Decor? This is where your creativity, plaster, a stencil of choice and a putty knife all join together.   There are almost unlimited ways you can use stenciling to enhance your garden decor.

Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

1.  Vases and Flower Pots

Do you have plain vases or ceramic flower pots" sitting around the yard looking "drab"?  Transform these into beautiful works of art with very little effort.  A stencil will do the trick.  Stencils are available in many different designs, shapes and sizes for a small or large item.  There are designs of flowers, fruit, vines, animals, objects, etc. that can be tailored to your current garden decor look and feel.

Those old vases and flower pots will look like you just bought them from a high-end pottery outlet when you're finished with them.  It's certainly less expensive than buying new ones. You can be frugal while adding brilliant artwork to your garden.

2.  Walls and Fences

Does your garden or yard have walls or fences? Add unique designs to a brick wall or fence using stenciling that will mesmerize your guests.  From pretty floral designs to the gothic look, you can create the mood of your choice throughout your yard or garden decor. 

To create a simplistic, decorative look, add stencil designs to only a portion of your fence or wall edges (a touch of design here and there.)

3.  Stepping Stones

Stencil designs can be applied to plain stepping stones, creating a stunning path as you tour your garden or yard.

4.  Garden Trim Designs

If you have plain bricks, rocks or other items decorating the edges of your flower beds or plants, you can design each item with stencils to really draw the eye to your flower beds.

5.  Bird Houses, Feeders and Ornaments

Use stencils to create beautiful designs on your bird houses, bird feeders or other garden decor ornaments such as water fountains and bird baths.

Stencil-Safe Surfaces

The joint compound alone will work on surfaces such as cement, tile, wood, and ceramic. By combining your joint compound with some white glue such as Elmer's glue, stencils will work with smooth surfaces such as glass, mirrors, pre-painted furniture or high-glossed walls.  This opens up a whole new world of design if you're the creative type!

Required Stenciling Supplies

Stencils

Stencils can be ordered online, or there might be a dealer in your town.  Check with your local home improvement store.  There are many different designs available to fit your garden decor needs.

Joint Compound Mixture

Joint compound mixture can be purchased at your local home improvement store.  It's very inexpensive, so you'll be able to remain frugal while creating a very artistic garden decor.

Putty Knife

Get a putty knife sized to work best with your stencil.  If your stencil is small, you wouldn't want to purchase a large putty knife.

How to Create Stencil Designs

Creating your design is a simple two-step process.  You probably thought it would take twenty long, hard steps, right?  The beauty of stenciling is that it's so easy and yet the finished work looks so delicate and complex.  Just change your middle name to "Da Vinci"!

Step Number One:

Tape the stencil to the item using spray on sticky solution (you might receive this with your stencil when ordering), or using adhesive two-sided tape.

Step Number Two:

With your putty knife, spread the joint compound smoothly over the stencil design until every hole is filled.  Remove the stencil to reveal your design!  It's that simple.  No artistic expertise is required to design using stencils.

Remember, the joint compound will take at least forty-five minutes to dry, depending on the humidity level.

Creating a Raised Stencil Design

After your first layer has dried, you might want to apply more joint compound to create a raised design.  This adds even more flavor to your stencil designs with very little effort.  You can also purchase stencils that are made specifically for creating raised designs.

Adding Color to Your Stencil Designs

To add a hint of color to your stencil designs, dab some diluted acrylic paint onto the designs (after they have dried) with a sponge or cloth. You can also color your compound with pure pigments or powdered color used for stucco.

As you can see, stencil designs can brighten your garden decor with splendid artwork while you still keep a frugal budget.  Your garden decor will stand out in the neighborhood as being creative and unique!

Article written by Candice Pardue, web content and brochure writer. Go here to license an article like this for your website or publication.