How to Create a Focal Wall With a Herringbone Stencil

This herringbone stencil was the easiest project I have done in years! Today I will share all the steps I did to create this entire accent wall in under 2 hours.

Herringbone is a classic pattern that has been around for ever it seems. It has recently become super popular in modern farmhouse design by using the pattern in unique and creative ways.

I wanted a subtle pattern on this wall, something to add interest without stealing the show. So I decided to create a subtle herringbone detail that I simply love.

*This post contains affiliate links. For more details see my full disclosure.

Herringbone Wall Stencil

Materials:

Here are all the things you need for this project:

Stencil – Etsy is a great place to buy stencils! I just love this one and the seller I bought it from was amazing to work with.
White latex sharpie paint pen (you can use black if you want it to show up more)
Blue tape
level
tape measure

Have you ever shopped from Etsy? I love shopping there for many reasons. First of all, you are supporting small businesses and I am all for that. Also, the customer service is superb!

I ordered my stencil and it came in the mail in about 2 days. It was packaged perfectly. Shop owners on Etsy really care about their product and your happiness with it.

Steps:

Here is the before photo, before I added any stencil.

The headboard wall before the herringbone wall stencil.

The focal wall before the herringbone stencil.

Find the center of your wall using your tape measure and make a small mark on the wall.

Center your stencil on that mark and use the blue tape to secure the stencil to the wall.

I used about 3 pens for this wall. It’s not a big wall so if you are doing more space you might need more pens.

Follow the directions on your paint pen to get the paint flowing and once it is use the paint pen inside the stencil to create the herringbone pattern.

Remove the stencil and replace it just below what you already did. You can see at the top of my stencil is half a line which gives you a guide to know your spacing.

The herringbone stencil attached to the wall and ready for paint.

Use your level and continue to check that you staying straight! You don’t want your pattern to go at an angle down the wall.

This shows a small part of the wall with the stencil.

Continue to the left and right as well. Turn on some music, it makes the time go by faster;)

This shows the whole wall with the stencil about halfway done.

Make sure that the paint is dry before moving on to the next stencil. The sharpie does dry pretty fast. If it’s not dry some paint might get on the underside of the stencil then transfer to the wall when you move it to the next spot. You don’t want that!

The Herringbone Stenciled Wall

And here is the final product! I simply love the understated elegance of this focal wall. But if you are looking for something more striking definitely go for that black color.

The paint color on the wall is Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray and I used a white sharpie paint pen (water based).