Diy decorating ideas: making a horse wall paper border

Do you want to make a dramatic difference in your house, but you don't have a lot of money to put into redecorating? Do you want to add an extra accent to highlight a western theme, or highlight riding hobbies? Adding a horse wallpaper border to your house is a simple and easy way to add a dramatic new look. Doing the border yourself means you can add that new look at minimal cost.

The first step to any wallpaper of wallpaper border home project is to make sure you have all the correct supplies. The supplies you get will depend on the type of wallpaper you choose. If you choose to use a pre-glued version of wallpaper border your ultimate process will be easier. For a pre-glued version you will need a bucket of water to dip the border into to activate the paste. If you use a standard border, you will also need to purchase wallpaper paste and a brush to use to apply the paste to the paper. Whichever type of paper you use, you will also want to get a wallpaper brush to smooth the border as you apply it.

When applying the border you should first check the levelness of the ceiling. Use a level to check several places. If there has been shifting in the room and the ceiling isn't level, you'll need to apply the border directly up against the ceiling. If the ceiling is level, you can apply it 1-3 inches below the ceiling line if you like.

There are three basic approaches you can take for the border design itself. The easiest option of course is to find wallpaper with horse designs that you like and fits the decor of the room. If you are unable to find a wallpaper border that melds with your decor or fashion tastes, you can create a horse wallpaper border by either decoupage or stenciling.

If you choose to decoupage the border, follow these basic steps:

1. Identify a picture or drawing that you like. At maximum, identify three images you would like to use in your border design.

2. Go to either a copy store or a photo processor to have the designs replicated.

3. Figure the length of the perimeter of the room and divide it into one-foot segments. Divide the total number of one-foot segments by the number of images you have. This will tell you how many copies of each image you need.

4. On a dried wallpaper border (that you have already applied), measure off the total number of segments.

5. Using decoupage paste, apply each of the images in a rotating pattern.

If you choose to stencil the border, follow these basic steps:

1. Identify a stencil and paint color that you like that also complements the border.

2. Figure the length of the perimeter of the room and divide it into one-foot segments. Divide the total number of one-foot segments by the number of images you have to stencil.

3. On a dried wallpaper border (that you have already applied), measure off the total number of segments.

4. Using the stenciling pattern and colors, add your horses to the border.

Wallpaper borders are an easy and inexpensive way to add a bit of pizzazz to any room. Doing it yourself lets you customize your border and add those special accents that make the room yours!