When you were a kid, chances are good that at least one time (and probably more) a parent warned you not to write on the walls. But, now that you’re an adult, suddenly it’s OK to write on the walls — in fact it’s a popular decorating trend.

Whether you’re welcoming guests in a foyer, offering sage advice in a work-at-home office or extolling the virtues of eating well in a clean kitchen, it’s fun to add sayings to your walls.

And it couldn’t be easier.

You don’t have to meticulously paint and align the lettering or check your spelling. Many companies offer reasonably priced premade sayings ready to simply peel and stick. These handy decals come in a variety of colors, sizes and type styles, sometimes in both glossy and matte word finishes.

Word wise

When shopping for wall decals, read the fine print thoroughly before purchasing. You want to be sure your wall surfaces are compatible with the brand you’re considering.

Most require a smooth wall surface for best adhesion.

Sheet-rocked surfaces will work if they’re not heavily textured, as a flatter surface offers a better hold.

Check to see if the decal can be repositioned if you happen to make a mistake with alignment or adhesion.

You may also want to check that the letters can be removed without damaging the surface, particularly if you’re a renter just looking for some temporary decor. There should be no sticky residue remaining once the words are removed. The most common removal method is to heat the lettering with a hair dryer keeping the heat source about 8 inches away from the wall, then carefully peeling off the lettering.

If you plan to use your wise words outdoors, like on a patio or house wall surface, note whether or not they are compatible with the outdoors.

In addition to the particulars listed above, investigate how the lettering can be cleaned if needed. Many phrases can simply be wiped with a damp cloth should the need arise.

One important thing to check on — are you purchasing an entire phrase in one piece, or are you buying individual letters that you will need to space and align yourself? Phrases are the quickest and easiest to apply as the manufacturer has done all the alignment and spacing work for you.

Make it your own

There are hundreds of premade phrases and sayings available, but if you want to customize something, it’s easy to do so. Companies allow you to choose the words, type size, color, size and number of lines, making it easy to add a child’s name or favorite saying to their bedroom wall or playroom.

Some decal sellers also allow you to alter the lettering sizes within a single phrase and/or add embellishments, like scrollwork and flowers to the verbiage.

Phrases can use multiple type sizes and fonts, and often you can shape the phrase instead of just making it on straight lines. Perhaps you want to place it over a rounded archway or stair step down a triangular window arrangement or read vertically instead of horizontally.

Size smart

When you are selecting or creating your perfect phrase, be sure to carefully read the parameters about line size. You need to take into account that some letters are ascending, meaning that they are taller than others — for example, a lower case l, k and h. Other letters are descending, meaning that they extend below the main line of type — like a lower case g, q and p. Note how the company measures the line size to avoid any surprises — some measure from top to bottom, others measure letters that aren’t ascending or descending to determine the line height.

Phrases can generally be up to about 2 feet tall for maximum impact, or they can be 1 inch tall for tiny spaces.

Application notes

Decals need to be applied to smooth wall surfaces that are dry and free of dust and grease. So be sure to clean walls thoroughly and let them dry before applying wall words.

Most decals will not work on brick, stucco or concrete surfaces or walls that have sueded or sand-finish paints or other textures. Check the instructions for the feasibility of applying lettering over wallpaper, as some brands aren’t recommended for that type of surface.

If you’re in doubt as to the requisite wall surface, many decal companies offer a small sample of the vinyl material so you can try it before purchasing your phrase.

Walls should be at room temperature for the best adhesion, and if you’re applying words outdoors in the winter, warm the wall with a hair dryer before application.

Most brands of wall words can be used in the bathroom, pool or spa areas, despite high humidity, but a dry surface is necessary for the initial application to ensure adhesion. After that, a humid environment will not affect the lettering.

No matter how the manufacturer recommends applying the lettering decals, one thing is for sure — you’ll need a level line to follow. A piece of painter’s tape or chalk works well and both are easily removable after the application. Some letterings come with guide lines on the covering film for easy alignment.

Lettering needs to be burnished in place on any wall surface for best adhesion and a tool may be included with your order.

Individual brands vary for application instructions, and some offer online video tutorials for added help.

Beyond the wall

Though initially designed to be applied to wall surfaces, words can also be applied to appliances, ceilings, soffits, doors, chair rails or furniture. To make freestanding plaques, the words can be rubbed onto boards, mirrors or smooth-finished chunks of slate or marble.

Some companies sell phrases that have chalkboard portions incorporated. For example, “To Do List” might have a large rectangle of chalkboard space below the lettering so you can actually itemize the tasks. Another prophetic phrase that comes with a chalkboard is “Keep Calm and _______” so you can fill in the blank. Some phrases come with a dry-erase component, much like a bulletin board for making lists.

Choices abound

The decision of what words to select can be a hard one. There are so many good options, such as motivational, hobby, sports, religious phrases or simply fun themes. Here’s just a few that might fit with your decor:

• Always Kiss me Goodnight (over the bedroom headboard)

• Life is Beautiful (above a mirror)

• Eat, Drink and Be Merry (kitchen or bar)

• Wash your hands … and use soap (kid’s bathroom)

• Find a job you like and add five days to every week (office)

• I’m the big sister (for a child’s room)

• Pushing 50 is exercise enough (above the treadmill)

• Real men wear aprons (kitchen)

• Laundry today … or naked tomorrow (laundry room or closet)

• Bon Appétit! (kitchen or dining room)

— Reporter: gwizdesigns@aol.com