We’re back with phase three of our sunroom mini makeover (see phase one here and phase two here). This update focuses on the bold turquoise stencil we added to the chocolate-painted floor. Like many DIY projects, it took some trial and error, so we’re sharing the materials and methods that worked for us.
We gathered supplies we already had and picked up a few essentials: an oil-based porch and floor paint in Martha Stewart’s Lagoon color (color-matched to Glidden), a sea sponge, and a Ciel stencil from Sunny’s paint shop. The stencil, paint, and sponge totaled about $57; other tools were items we already owned.
We started by measuring the room and mapping the stencil layout. Layout depends on your room and stencil size, but in our space we fit seven stencil rows on the long wall and five on the shorter wall, leaving roughly 8″ between each pattern. This planning step is critical—measure twice, stencil once. Visualize the arrangement with paper or tape before painting to avoid uneven spacing or a layout that won’t fit.
For application, we secured each stencil with delicate-surface Frog Tape to keep it from shifting. Using an up-and-down dabbing motion with the sea sponge, we applied paint carefully—avoiding diagonal strokes that could push paint under the stencil edges.
Our first attempt covered the floor completely in paint, which caused bleeding and a messy result when the stencil was removed.
Luckily, that first stencil was placed in a spot that will be hidden under furniture, so we used it as a learning sample. On the second pass we revised our technique: we aimed for about 80–90% coverage so the base color could still show through slightly, and we dabbed excess paint off the sponge onto cardboard before applying to the stencil to avoid globs.
That adjustment made a big difference. With less paint on the sponge and gentler dabs, the edges stayed crisp and the pattern looked much cleaner.
We began by stenciling the four corners of the room first so we’d have fixed reference points to guide the rest of the layout. From there we worked our way around the room, carrying a small piece of cardboard and the paint tray as we moved.
Here’s the finished look. The turquoise pattern pops against the rich chocolate base, creating texture and visual interest for a fraction of the cost of a large rug.
We’re thrilled with how a $57 addition transformed the room and complemented the lighter teal ceiling. The look feels intentional and polished—like a designer rug but permanent and budget-friendly.
Quick tips for anyone attempting this:
- Use paint formulated for porches and floors for durability. We chose oil-based paint to match the previously applied oil-based chocolate floor; water-based paint should not be applied over oil without proper preparation.
- You don’t need heavy coverage for a stencil—less paint gives crisper edges. Aim for about 80–90% coverage rather than full saturation.
- Measure and mock up your layout multiple times to ensure balance. Stenciling the corners first gives you useful reference points.
- Tape the stencil on all sides with delicate-surface tape to keep it stable.
- If paint builds up on the underside of the stencil, wipe it clean before reusing it.
- Remove excess paint from the sponge by dabbing it on cardboard before applying to the stencil to prevent blobs and bleeding.
- Allow painted floors plenty of dry time before walking on them or moving furniture back in; we’re letting ours cure for seven days in humid weather.
- Use mineral spirits to remove oil-based paint from skin, or try cooking oil (vegetable oil) as a gentler alternative.
That’s our stenciling process from start to finish. Hope these details help if you’re planning something similar. Want to see how we painted the chocolate base coat? Check out our step-by-step post on painting floors here.