DIY Temporary Decorative Panels

 So, I’ve got an idea…
Remember how I mentioned adding removable wallpaper to my television wall?
Well, turns out my wall is huge. It is about 16′ wide by 9′ tall. Which means it will require lots of wallpaper and end up costing more than I was hoping to spend. With our upcoming move to Orange County in 11 months, I just can’t justify spending much money on this little home.
With that being said, I also have an uncontrollable desire to constantly be improving/decorating my home.  
So, In order to get the best of both worlds and decorate inexpensively, I have to get creative.

The other day while cruising the aisles of Home Depot, I came across these large panels of styrofoam insulation with sound barrier foil on them.
They are 4′ wide by 8′ tall, weigh about 3 pounds each, and are only $10.00 a panel.
This got me thinking.
What if instead of covering the whole wall in wallpaper, I only covered a couple panels and attached them to the wall?
Or better yet, what if I painted and stenciled on the panels instead of purchasing wallpaper?
{image via here}
Since purchasing the wallpaper would cost about $300+ dollars, and I could potentially get the same look stenciling for under $50.00. Hmm….

{image via Full House}
I could either do 2 separate panels or push them together and do one large one.
{image via here}
And since the foam panels are so light, I could simply nail them to the wall.

{image via here}
Now I just need to select the perfect wall stencil, by far the hardest part.
So, what do you think? Good or crazy idea?
Anyone used these styrofoam boards before? 

Comments

  1. says

    Love your idea! I’m in the same boat…we are just in this house for a year, but I want to do SO much to it! Self-control…must use self-control! Can’t wait to see your finished panels!

  2. says

    I love this idea. Now to choose the perfect stencil. With so many great options out there, this should be a lot of fun. Can’t wait to see it all come together.

  3. says

    Great idea! I’ve actually worked with those foam insulation panels before to make a large sign for a party and I recall the foil covering creasing / wrinkling a lot as I worked with them, so you may want to keep that in mind … it might be a challenge to keep the surface smooth the more you handle them. Those panels would be great for covering with fabric to add pattern to a wall too, and now that has me thinking 🙂 Eager to see what you do.

  4. says

    This will look great! I have always loved this idea for large walls. Are you going to add a little moulding around the edge as well? I agree with Robin that you may want to try finding some inexpensive fabric to wrap them in rather than stenciling. The foam may be hard to stencil on unless you are topping it with something first. Anyway good luck! Can’t wait to see it!

    I’m doing a giveaway for a $25 West Elm Gift Card today so come check it out!
    carpedieminteriordesign.blogspot.com

  5. says

    A great idea! We used to use something similar for our set backdrops in high school, our main problems were getting the paint to stay while painting (you could only go over a spot once with the brush before letting in dry or the second stroke would take off the first layer of paint) but if your using your handy dandy spray gun that shouldn’t be a problem and keeping the paint from scratching/flaking off when dry.
    I agree that wrapping them with fabric may be the way to go.

  6. says

    I think it is a great idea! I’ve seen a few of these temporary panels and I think they are great for renters. Can’t wait to see what you decide on 🙂

  7. says

    You could get the same look with the white foam boards from Michaels and use a 40% off coupon 🙂 I did a similar look but used left over wallpaper to cover them. You could also use fabric to cover them {I love the HGTV fabrics at Joanns which you could use a 40% off coupon as well} Either way you do it, it will be a nice impact on the wall. {I also like using fabric and starch as wallpaper so then you can take the fabric off when you move and use it for your next house!}

  8. says

    Our next move might be short term too (10 months) so I’ve been considering something similar too. If you need a stencil, let me know and I’ll make you one for free. I’m always looking for new designs! 🙂

  9. says

    Love the idea, but I have used the foam boards before, the silver lining stuff that is on them is really difficult to work with. I blew up some pictures and tried wrapping them to create my own ‘canvas’ look with spray glue… didnt work, it just keeps peeling off. If you can find a way to use fabric, or some kind of coating over the silver lining then I am sure it would work, just be careful with that stuff, it is easily wrinkled and peels.

  10. says

    I was about to sat go for it, until I saw Lindsay’s comment above mine. I have never used it before, so I wouldn’t know. But… you could get the same effect with large canvas boards. Those should work really well when stenciling. Good luck! Sounds like a really fun idea! 🙂

  11. says

    Love the concept but from the sounds of comments here it might require some experimenting! In Australia we use corrugated card board or foam board for lightweight projects like this. It’s bought at art stores or office supply stores rather than hardware stores so mayb enough could try something like that? I love the fact that stencilling would be so simple when y can lay it on the ground rather than stencilling the wall directly too! Can’t wait to see what you choose xx

    Anna (My Design Ethos)

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