6 Do-It-Yourself Faux Wallpaper Projects

Whether you’re moving into a new home or looking to spruce up an existing space, you’re probably wondering about the best way to enhance the overall aesthetic of your home. From rearranging the furniture to doing a complete overhaul of the space, you have a few options when it comes to changing a room’s appearance. One of our favorite ways is to add some flair to the walls of a kitchen, bedroom, or living area!

If you want to take it a step up from painting your walls solid colors but aren’t quite set on traditional wallpaper due to the cost, we have a solution for you — DIY faux wallpaper. Instead of spending your hard-earned cash on wallpaper, you can get the same look (or better!) for less. From sponge painting to stenciling, there are countless ways to create do-it-yourself wallpaper. To inspire your new look, we’ve put together six of our favorite simple DIY wallpaper designs for adding personality and character to any space.

1. Paint A Geometric Pattern

The most popular route for creating simple DIY wallpaper by painting a geometric pattern on the wall. You can use a traditional paintbrush to do this, however, you’ll find that many homeowners opt for a sponge to create a bold and unique pattern. By dipping the sponge in paint and applying the sponge to the wall, you’ll be able to create a variety of different patterns — allowing you to choose which one best fits the vibe of the space. Painting a geometric pattern on a wall is easier than it may seem and shouldn’t take more than a few hours, meaning that you can change the look and feel of the room in no time!

2. Use a Stencil for an Eclectic Design

One of the main draws of traditional wallpaper is the ability to engulf your room in a funky or eclectic pattern. Oftentimes, homeowners turn to wallpaper because they don’t realize they’re able to create a fun space with a simple DIY wallpaper. Instead of traditional wallpaper that covers the wall, you can opt for painting the wall with a stencil. Not only does this allow you to get the look you’ve been dreaming of but allows you to do it at a lower price point. Select a stencil for a pattern that you’re a fan of and use it to create a one-of-a-kind design in your room. It’s as simple as that!

3. Draw a Design With a Paint Pen

Although sponges and stencils are easy ways to add some pizzazz to your room, another option is a paint pen. Unlike a stencil which will help you create a uniform design on the wall, a paint pen allows you more flexibility with your design — allowing you to add in your own bit of flair to spice things up! If the base of your wall is a lighter color, you may want to select a black paint pen so your design stands out. If the wall is a darker base, white is a safe option to allow your design to pop. Drawing freehand with a paint pen allows you to make the design as simple or complex as you want it to be — and the only out-of-pocket expense is the cost of a paint pen!

4. Make Dynamic Brushstrokes

One reason homeowners may be dissuaded from DIY wall coverings is the fact that they can be a time-consuming project to complete. A great alternative for someone who is time-poor but wants to incorporate faux wallpaper is to create a design using dynamic brushstrokes. Instead of a time-consuming pattern that needs to be applied perfectly, you can create the look of falling brushstrokes throughout the wall in a ?pattern? that is anything but uniform. Instead of measuring out a design or taping off sections of the wall, allow your paintbrush to make marks randomly. It may feel weird at first but the outcome will be well worth it!

5. Apply Vinyl Cutouts

If painting isn’t your cup of tea, there’s no need to fret. There’s another solution for you to create a unique DIY wall covering. By applying vinyl cutouts in a random design to the wall you will be able to create a faux wallpaper. The vinyl can be applied strategically in a grid-like pattern or more randomly for an eclectic feel. You can purchase vinyl cutouts in the shapes of your choosing, or if you have a vinyl cutter, you can cut custom designs for your own one-of-a-kind pattern.

6. Design a Pattern With Fabric

This DIY wall covering may come as a shock to you because it doesn’t involve paint. Instead, you can design a pattern by adhering fabric to the wall! This will appear very different from a tapestry because it will be applied to the wall similarly to traditional wallpaper. Using a starch mixture, you’ll apply the fabric to the wall in the desired pattern. Once applied, you’ll add more of the starch mixture over top of the fabric so it stays in place. Not only is this an effective way to add more unique patterns to the space but is a great option for those renting that need a non-permanent solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I put on my walls instead of wallpaper?

As we mentioned above, vinyl cutouts, stencils fabric, and paint are all effective methods for creating DIY faux wallpaper. Some other materials that can be used to create trendy or timeless designs include sheet music, newspaper, wall decals, wrapping paper, murals, and more.

How long does it take to put up wallpaper on one wall?

Traditional wallpaper can be tricky to adhere evenly to the wall if you aren’t accustomed to the process. For individuals taking on the project themselves, a small project could take somewhere between 1.5 and 2 hours. For a larger space, it may take more than 3 hours to apply the wallpaper.

What is the purpose of wallpaper?

Wallpaper is used to add a decorative touch to the interior walls of a space. It does not serve a purpose other than appearance and aesthetics, which is why homeowners can choose between traditional wallpaper and faux wallpaper when determining which is the best method for bringing their vision to life.

What materials are needed for faux wallpaper installation?

Each installation project will be different depending on what type of DIY wall covering you plan to install. Are you opting for a painted geometric pattern? If so, we recommend using a paintbrush or sponge for application. Are you creating a pattern using fabric? Make sure you have enough fabric swatches for your design and the required starch mixture to get the fabric to adhere to the wall. There isn’t one answer as it will depend on the type of faux wallpaper you’ve chosen.