How To Stencil Garden Decking and Create a Beautiful Space

Adding a garden decking is such a great way of creating a social space for your family, providing an extra living area for the warmer months. If you want to add character and stencil garden decking, even better!

We created our garden decking space back in April 2017 and within two years it had become dirty, damp and unsightly. I had a bright idea to stencil it to brighten up the space and add character and pattern to our garden deck.

Garden decking offers numerous benefits for the garden, including extended living space, aesthetics, versatility, durability, low maintenance, accessibility and is easily integrated with other gardening elements. It provides a functional and attractive outdoor area that allows you to enjoy your garden and enhance your outdoor lifestyle.

However, our garden decking had seen better days!

Stencil Garden Decking

I’ve worked really hard on our house and the garden had become totally neglected, so I was looking for a way to bring colour and pattern to the garden so it became an extension of our home.

I had looked at perhaps painting the garden decking grey or just stripping it down and varnishing it and adding rugs but I wanted something a little more permanent.

I did a little bit of research and came across a few posts and images where the garden deck or patio area had been painted with a stencil, so I thought I would give it a go!

How to Stencil a Deck

The first thing I had to do was strip down the decking and clean it. We were gifted a 1600W Pressure washer by VonHaus which was extremely easy to use and stripped off all the mould, dirt and debris from our garden decking, making it good as new again.

All we had to do was connect the pressure washer to our outdoor tap and plug it in and it was good to go. It took me about 5 hours to get all the dirt and grime off the decking and was very therapeutic!

Once I had cleaned and pressure washed the decking, I had to leave it for a few days to completely dry out and the next sunny day I set to work.

I contacted Dizzy Duck Designs which I found through Etsy, asking if they had a stencil I could use in the garden. They sent me their Valencia Tile stencil in XL (45cm x 45cm) as I had a large area to cover and thought this would be quicker!

As the stencil turns up in a cardboard tube, take care to take it out and straighten it. It needs to be uncurled in the opposite direction and the best way to do this is to lie it on top of the paper that it comes with, lie the stencil in the opposite way of the curl and then attach it to the cardboard tube and roll it around the tube, fixing it with sticky tape.

I left it like this overnight and it was more or less straight when I unfastened it.

The next job was to choose the paint colour. As the decking covered such a huge area, I knew I wanted the background to be white with either a dark grey or blue pattern and I chose the woodcare partner of Dulux – Cuprinol and their shades White Daisy & Silver Birch (if you want to see more on Cuprinol, click here).

I needed 2 x pots of 2.5L of White Daisy and one 2.5L pot of Silver Birch.

I bought a paint roller on a pole from B&Q to paint the decking white which needed two coats. It took me about 3 hours to complete and I had to wait another day for this to dry completely.

Then it was a case of painting the stencil onto the decking which I knew would take up the bulk of my time. To paint the stencilling, you will need –

• Dizzy Duck Designs Stencil

• A stencil brush or small foam roller

• Water-based paints

• Frog tape

• Cotton ear buds

• A damp cloth

• Old newspaper or cardboard

• A gardening cushion to kneel on

I positioned the stencil in the far corner of the decking and secured it with frog tape and emptied the Silver Birch Cuprinol paint into a roller tray. I then applied paint onto the small foam roller, being careful not to put too much paint on it.

Less is more and I rolled the excess paint from the roller onto an old newspaper until the roller was almost dry. I applied the paint in thin layers, making sure I mopped up any mistakes with a damp cloth and kept applying the colour until I was happy with the shade.

Dizzy Duck Designs send you two stencils to use so that you can paint quicker. I would start by using a stencil, giving it a quick clean and letting it dry in the sun whilst I used the other one.

Each stencil also comes with a guide on the edge of the stencil so you can match it up to the previously painted pattern and keep it consistent.

You also get 2 x half stencils so you can still get into those trickier areas without having to bend the stencil. I needed to use these where the decking met the wall as there wasn’t enough room to use a whole stencil.

Once I finished the border on the main part of the decking, I started on the decking that runs along the bifold doors which took me around 3 hours to complete.

And that’s it! From start to finish it probably took me about 12 hours to complete and it’s completely transformed the decking and made the area much brighter and lighter which is ideal when it is east facing.

The Dizzy Duck Design stencil and Cuprinol paint were extremely easy to use and apply and from a distance can look like real tiling. I would definitely do it again and use these products.

Frequently Asked Questions >>>

Q. What is the best paint for outdoor stencils?

A. Acrylic paint is a popular choice for outdoor stencils due to its versatility, durability, and wide range of colour options. Look for acrylic paints specifically labeled as suitable for outdoor use or with UV protection to ensure better weather resistance.

Latex paint is another suitable option for outdoor stenciling. It provides good adhesion, durability, and resistance to weather conditions. Choose a latex paint with a matte or satin finish for better stencil visibility and longevity. 

I have used both Cuprinol and Rust-Oleum and find they are easily the best paint for outdoor stencils. 

Q. How can I maintain painted surfaces in the garden?

A. Like anything outside, it has the tendency to wear away quite quickly. Regular maintenance is essential for painted surfaces in the garden. This may involve periodic cleaning, touch-ups, and applying a fresh coat of paint or sealer as needed. Protecting painted surfaces from excessive moisture, direct sunlight, and physical damage can help prolong their lifespan.

Q. How do I prepare the surface before painting?

A. Surface preparation involves cleaning the area to remove dirt, debris, and any loose or flaking paint. Depending on the surface, you may need to sand it to create a smoother finish. If necessary, use a primer to ensure better adhesion.

Related Posts >>>

• 10 Ways to Transform and Enjoy Your Garden on a Budget
• Garden Deck Area – 10 Ideas for Creating a Unique Outdoor Space