Create custom herringbone wallpaper by hand-stamping with a cardboard stencil, painter's tape, and a touch of paint! You can finish an accent wall in just a few short hours.
I’ve been tackling the organization of my home office once more! I thrive on an organizational challenge, and this latest project once again sprang from necessity.
The 10 by 10 foot room serves double duty as my computer workspace, paper organization hub, and storage for crafts and home decor.
Now, it’s set to transform into a food photography studio as well! Since the (very large) equipment is arriving piece by piece shortly, I’ve been decluttering and organizing to make space for it.
The organizational phase is complete, and while the room was nearly vacant, we seized the chance to apply a fresh layer of Simply White paint.
The result felt clean and airy… yet somewhat bland!
With time at a premium (the equipment is trickling in daily!), I had to move quickly. One choice led to another, and I settled on creating my own "wallpaper" directly on the surface!
Instead of shelling out over $100 per roll for the desired look, this DIY approach cost merely $0 – since I utilized supplies I already owned.
My vision was herringbone wallpaper with a hand-painted aesthetic. I opted to paint a similar pattern straight onto the wall instead.
After all, if the result didn't please me, a fresh coat of paint was always an option!;)
(Though, spoiler alert… I am quite pleased with the outcome.)
Here is the breakdown of the process.
How to Create a Hand-Stamped Herringbone Wallpaper Accent Wall
Essential Materials:
- painters tape
- pencil
- measuring tape
- long straight edge (level, board, or any item perfectly straight)
- cardboard
- paint – latex house paint or acrylic craft paint
Video tutorial for painting a DIY herringbone pattern accent wall
If you learn best by watching (like me!), there is a concise video demonstrating the process. All steps are explained in greater detail beneath the video.
Mask off the section where you intend to create your accent wall.
I opted for blue painters tape, but any brand will suffice.
Locate the precise midpoint of your wall, which serves as the anchor for your overall pattern. Gently trace vertical marks at five-inch intervals using a pencil.
A bit of calculation is involved, so stay with me. The strips will sit five inches apart, meaning the central point of each strip measures 2.5 inches. Recall the central mark you identified on the wall? To establish your initial guidelines, create a mark 2.5 inches to the right of that center point, and another 2.5 inches to the left; this will define your first strip.
Having a second person assist with marking the vertical pencil lines is quite beneficial. We utilized a tape measure to record measurements every five inches at both the upper and lower boundaries of our design zone, then aligned a lengthy board—our most straight available edge—to create the pencil indication.
Apply paint to the vertical lines intended to guide your accent wall motif.
You have two options for this stage. You can utilize a small craft brush to manually paint the descending lines, or you can follow the method I employed;)
I fashioned a cardboard piece approximately six inches in length, then wrapped the corrugated perimeter with painter's tape. After dipping it into my selected paint hue, I applied it lightly to the wall, adhering to the pencil line guides.
Bear in mind, the goal here is a casual, relaxed hand-painted aesthetic. Precision in your lines is not required—and that is perfectly acceptable! If you encounter a significant error and wish to restart, keep a damp cloth at hand to swiftly erase it, should a mistake occur.
Apply the herringbone wallpaper pattern using a basic homemade cardboard stamp stencil.
After the vertical lines have dried thoroughly, you may proceed to the subsequent phase—the herringbone “v” pattern. To commence:
- Secure the interior sections of both the left and right boundaries of each strip. (Ensure your lines are entirely dry before initiating this step.)
- Fashion a piece of cardboard measuring six inches by applying painter's tape to the corrugated edge and folding it centrally to create a “v” shape.
- Make a subtle pencil mark at the upper center of the strip (at the 2.5 inch mark). This will assist you with positioning your initial inverted “v”.
- Immerse your cardboard stamp in the paint, then press it once onto another piece of cardboard to remove any surplus pigment.
- Position your stamp so it remains within the boundaries of the painter's tape on the sides, then apply gentle pressure.
- Progress downward along the strip, re-dipping the stamp in paint as necessary.
Guidelines for painting herringbone wallpaper:
- When my stamp was heavily saturated with paint, I positioned it approximately two inches apart. As the paint lightened, I returned to stamp at the one-inch interval. This technique permits significant variation in the lightness and darkness of the stamped impression.
- Before applying stamps to the wall, consider practicing on a large sheet of paper or cardboard initially. Repetition will enhance your speed and confidence.
- Discard your inclination toward perfection! This style is intentionally imperfect. It is acceptable if the lines are not precisely aligned or if the angle of the “v” varies. The objective is to achieve a “relaxed” appearance.
- Detach the painter's tape from the sides while the paint remains wet. This will result in crisp, clean edges.
- Apply paint to every other strip first, then return to tape and paint the remaining strips. This approach allows the paint to dry completely, preventing any smearing.
Do you recall the wall's previous appearance?
Behold the accent wall following its DIY herringbone wallpaper transformation!
This addition brings a wonderful sense of joy and energy to the room!
Consider this a preliminary transformation for the area. In the future, we aim to install a full-length counter with cabinets beneath along this window wall. It will serve as my workstation and create a much cleaner, cohesive appearance.
However, I'm absolutely delighted with the current setup, and we'll gradually complete the room's makeover over time!
Hues featured on this DIY herringbone wallpaper:
The wall shade is Simply White from Benjamin Moore.
The herringbone design features a custom tone created by blending Iron Mountain and Simply White – two shades I already had available.
To view additional before-and-after accent wall projects, explore:
- The Boho Master Bedroom (featuring a black accent wall)
- My husband's rustic office (complete with a full wall of floating bookshelves)
- This article on room painting techniques outlines my preferred paint essentials along with useful advice and tips.
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This entry was first shared in December 2020. It was refreshed in April 2022.
