The Fascinating Joint Compound Hack That Adds Whimsy To Your Home

When it comes to infusing your own personality into your living space, it can feel like you are retreading the same ground over and over again. You can repaint your walls, bring in new carpet, or invest in decor, and that's about it, right? Well, not exactly! With just a bit of joint compound and some stencils, as well as a bit of time and effort, you can add wall stencil art that creates dimension in any room of your home.

To get started, head to your local hardware store and pick up some regular old joint compound and a putty knife or scraper. You'll also need some stencils in various patterns that you like. For instance, you could use the QSZKeer 18-Pieces Wildflower Stencils for $10. Once you have your materials, figure out where you want your design to be, then position your stencil on the chosen spot, secure it either with your fingers or some tape, and then take the knife or scraper and spread the compound evenly over the stencil. Once covered, carefully peel back the stencil, and you should see that the compound has left behind a filled-in design.

 But wait, you're not done yet. Immediately take your finger or a wet paper towel to clean up any compound that might have snuck around the edges of the stencil, then continue repeating the process, swapping out the stencils to create an overall pattern until you have the entire area covered. This wall texture option will add personality to your home that other more traditional methods simply can't replicate.

The above look is already gorgeous, but really, why stop there? You can go bigger and bolder and transform entire walls with this textured look. All you have to do is scale up the previous instructions. You can even buy larger stencils so you don't spend as much time with smaller ones. For instance, the GSS Designs Large Flower Wall Stencil is 16 by 24 inches and costs $25.

Or, if you want to add a pop of color, go ahead and mix some latex wall paint with your joint compound to create a beautiful look that either perfectly matches or completely contrasts with your wall color. You can even mix up several different colors. Imagine doing an entire wall with floral stencils; it would take quite a bit more work, but it would look amazing by the end.

What we love about this trick is how easy it is to add artistic flair to unexpected areas such as the risers on your stairs, your kitchen island, or the trim around your doors and windows. That said, while this compound look is pretty sturdy once set, it's still best to put it in locations that aren't subjected to frequent touching or brushing. You'll want to avoid high-traffic areas like hallways or areas within the mischievous reach of children and pets to keep it looking great. And if you're looking for another way to add texture to your home, check out this easy paint trick.