It would be easy to think that decorating your walls is as straightforward as picking a single paint colour and slapping a few coats on.
To be fair, that's a perfectly feasible option in many instances. Sometimes cool white walls are all you need to make a room pop, while cream walls also look stunning.
However, stencils can also add intrigue to a range of spaces, whether you embrace them in the living room, kitchen or the master bedroom. While a bit of work is required to get a perfect finish, stenciling is a fun activity that you can do yourself, with a steady hand a a touch of patience. You can complete small-scale stenciling projects in an afternoon or work on an entire room over a weekend.
There are many stencil patterns available, from floral designs to fascinating abstract prints, or you can create your own. No matter the design you pick, here are some fabulous colour combinations for your next stenciling project.
Simply golden
This colour combo looks great in the kitchen as well as a kids' playroom – it's incredibly versatile.
Paint walls a rich cream, such as Resene Half Putty. Then, use a warm egg-yolk yellow for your stencil design – think something along the lines of Resene Galliano.
This pairing is ideal if you want to add some stripes or spots to a wall, without taking up too much space.
Marvellous moss
Perhaps you're a nature fan and like all shades of blue, green and earthy brown.
Pick a rich moss-green shade such as Resene Kereru as your stencil shade, on top of pale cream walls.
This dense green is great if your stencil pattern has a curvaceous quality, akin to the natural curve of a tree's leaves. Use this colour combo in the dining room for a sleek yet modern look.
Sparkling ocean
If you're a fan of deep blue shades that mimic the ocean, then this colour pairing is for you.
Start with a rich, mysterious shade of blue for the walls. A good pick is the aptly named Resene Whale Tail – a colour that's sure to deliver a kick! It's a dark blue with ultra-deep undertones that ensures it makes an impact in whatever room it's used. Then there's Resene Wanaka, which is a cool, mineral blue reminiscent of the enticing lake at one of New Zealand's most celebrated summer holiday locations.
Once you've applied the required layers of paint to the walls, use a metallic gold paint for your stencil design.
This combination is an excellent option if you've picked a stencil with thin, narrow lines. It also looks stunning with designs such as the fleur-de-lis.
Given the base shade is somewhat dark, this option is ideal for rooms you want to make particularly snug – think your bedroom or a guest room. It can be used in the living room, but make sure there's ample light in the space so the room feels welcoming.
Fruit salad
There's something punchy and fresh about fruit-inspired shades.
Of course, if you paint your walls all kinds of tropical hues, you can quickly feel overwhelmed. Instead, pick a crisp, green apple shade and use it for your stencil design, rather than an all-over wall colour.
As your basecoat, pick a cool white such as Resene Double Alabaster.
White walls with a bright stencil design are a smart pick for the bathroom as well as kitchen.
Sleek silver
Just as metallic gold looks striking, so too does silver.
When using this cool metallic to add creative flair to your walls, pick a rich base colour such as Resene Night Owl or Resene Red Earth.
Spirals and floral prints are excellent picks when embracing purple-brown hues with metallic silver.
Get inspired ! 
