Fabric to Revitalize Your Walls for a Unique Look

Ever considered revitalizing your walls by using fabric instead of paint, wallpaper or other finishes? Placing fabric on your walls is a simple process, as a matter of fact, it is just like wallpapering except you are using fabric and starch which allow you to easily remove and reuse as needed.

Before starting, decide which walls you would like to decorate. Do you want to cover the entire wall, or prefer to go up half a wall and apply a border trim?  You may choose to create a collage of colour and place a decorative frame around it, or create a wall mural.

If you’re working within a limited budget, it’s important to understand that fabric prices vary and could actually run into quite a bit of money depending on your tastes.

The good news is when you remove fabric from a wall, all you will need to do is wash it. It can be easily re-used for another craft project, good as new. Keeping all that in mind, here are some simple instructions along with list of materials that will help you apply and remove your fabric.

Here are the materials you’ll need; a starch stiffener, the fabric of your choice, a clean sponge or paint roller, and finally a pan, pretty simple list of items.

Here are the steps for the fabric applications process:

1. Wash the wall to remove any dirt or film.
2. Lightweight fabrics, such as polished cottons, ginghams, and chintzes, are easiest to use. Measure from the floor to the ceiling and add a couple extra inches.
3. Cut the fabric accordingly. If it has a design, be sure to match the design before cutting the next panel as when using wallpaper.
4. Pour starch into a clean pan or paint pan or spray on if using stiffener (see Tip section if using spray stiffener). Apply starch to the top half of the wall with a sponge, paint roller or spray on if using spray stiffener.
5. Smooth fabric into place at the top of the wall, leaving about one inch to be trimmed later. Use push pins to hold the fabric temporarily in place. Apply more starch going down the wall as needed until you get to the floor, leave approximately one inch overlap at floor level.
6. Apply starch to the top of the fabric, brushing and smoothing it in place to remove bubbles and wrinkles. Be sure the starch penetrates the fabric evenly.
7. Work your way down the panel, continuing to sponge or spray starch onto the wall, smoothing the fabric, and applying more starch.
8. Position the second panel, matching the design along the edge. Repeat steps.
9. Around windows and doors, leave a one inch overlap as with the ceiling and floor.
10. Fabric overlap should be cut when the it is completely dry. It will then cut clean and easily and any shrinkage will have occurred before you trim.

If and when you want to remove the wall fabric, peel one corner loose, and then gently begin to peel it off of the wall panel by panel. If it does not peel easily, dampen the fabric with water using a wet sponge and it should come right off.

Whether you choose to cover your entire wall or only a portion, you will enjoy the look of a professionally decorated room, without the permanence of paint or wallpaper.