Guys! Seriously! The title to this post is no joke! This is truly the easiest board and batten accent wall you will ever do! I could even go so far as to say, the easiest project you will ever do! So, I had this wall that had long overstayed it’s welcome!
There was a time this rustic look fit with my style….
But those days have come and gone. It was time to bring this wall up to date with the rest of my house! At first I tried painting it black, but, nope! I didn’t like that at all! It still felt too rustic. :(
So off came all of the rustic shiplap (which was actually pallet boards that I had stained to give them a dated rustic look–here’s the link for how I did that)….
Fresh coat of white paint and…..Yep! I like it better already!
So, let’s get to it! Here’s what I did…
The Easiest Board and Batten Wall DIY
Materials Needed:
(Affiliate Links Included)
- 4×8 Sheet of MDF Board (Amount and thickness is based upon space and preference; I prefer 1/2″ thickness)
- Nails for Nail Gun (Size depends on thickness of MDF board; for a 1/2″ thickness, you’ll want 3/4″ or longer nails)
- Painter’s Tape
- Paint
- Wood Filler
- Sandpaper
- Paintable Caulk
Tools Needed for the DIY board and batten wall:
(Affiliate Links Included)
- Miter Saw
- Table Saw (optional) Home Depot will usually cut your boards to the size you need
- Jigsaw (optional)
- Nail Gun(Hammer and nails work too, but much faster and easier with a nail gun)
- Tape Measure
- Caulk Gun
- Level
Step One: Rip MDF boards
The first thing you need to do is rip your MDF boards to the width you want them. I chose to do 4″ wide boards. If you don’t have a table saw, check out your local Home Depot. Many will make your cuts for you.
You could also use a circular saw.
The number of vertical boards needed completely depends on the width of your space. My wall space was very small, so I only needed 9 boards.
Measure the height of your wall and cut your boards accordingly. Don’t forget to account for the length of your wall to ensure you have enough vertical pieces to cover the entire wall.
Step Two: Place your Boards
Find the center of your wall and attach your first board there, using a nail gun or brad nailer. Be sure to use a level to ensure that it is straight up and down.
Ensure that your boards are properly aligned from the top of the baseboard to the ceiling.
Then use a 1x2x8 to space out your boards. What I mean by this is:
- after your first board is attached
- place a 1x2x8 board flush against the side of the 4″ wide MDF board
- and attach your next board (4″ wide MDF board) flush against your 1x2x8 board, using your nail gun.
Again be sure to make sure it’s level). The batten spacing will help maintain a consistent and professional look.
Continue placing boards all the way to the right of your center board and then all the way to the left. It is very unlikely that your last board on each side will fit perfectly. You’ll probably need to rip that board more narrowly than your other boards.
Rip it to fit, and attach it the same way you’ve attached all of your other boards.
This ensures that your entire wall looks cohesive and well-designed.
When finished, your wall will look something like this….
Step Three: Filling Nail Holes and Sanding
Once all the boards are in place, the next step is to fill any nail holes with wood filler. Let the wood filler dry, then sand it smooth to prepare for painting. This helps ensure a seamless look.
Step Four: Painting Your New Board and Batten Wall
And now you’re ready for paint. I wanted it to be pretty uniform to the rest of my walls and therefore, chose to go with white. Painting the new baseboard the same color as your vertical pieces will give a modern board and batten look that ties the whole room together.
Apply a couple of coats of paint for a polished finish.
I absolutely love how this easiest board and batten wall turned out! And these gold frames! Perfect!! Want the link for the gold frames? Here it is!!
WANT MORE GREAT ACCENT WALL IDEAS??? CHECK OUT THIS POST!!
I love how the two board and batten walls complement one another so well. Creating a feature wall like this can really make a focal point in your living room or any other room in your own home.
Want to recreate that square board and batten wall? Here’s the link….
And a view from the other side too….
So incredibly easy! Ready to give it a go?? This DIY project is a good idea for anyone looking for an easy way to add character and style to their home.
FAQ: Board and Batten Wall DIY
Can I use liquid nails instead of a nail gun to attach the boards?
Yes, you can use liquid nails or another type of construction adhesive to attach the boards to the wall. This method can be especially useful if you prefer not to use a nail gun. However, make sure to hold the boards in place until the adhesive sets.
How do I ensure a seamless look with my white walls?
To achieve a seamless look with your white walls, make sure to fill any gaps and nail holes with wood filler and sand them smooth before painting. Applying a couple of coats of paint will also help blend the boards with the rest of your walls.
Can I use this technique in rooms other than the living room?
Absolutely! This DIY project can be used to add character and style to any room in your home, whether it’s the living room, guest bedroom, dining room, or even a hallway. It’s a versatile design that adds visual interest wherever it’s applied.
How do I work around light switches when installing the boards?
When you encounter light switches or outlets, you can use a jigsaw to cut notches in the boards to fit around them. Make sure to measure carefully and cut precisely to ensure a neat fit. This way, your light switches will be seamlessly integrated into your new board and batten wall design.
Designer Tip: When It Might Be Time to Bring in Help
If you’re working on your home and things still don’t feel quite right, you’re not alone. Many of our clients start exactly where you are now. They’ve gathered ideas, saved inspiration photos, and maybe even purchased a few pieces, but the space still doesn’t feel cohesive. That’s often the moment when having a designer can make all the difference. We help homeowners create a clear plan so every decision works together. From layout and furniture placement to finishes and lighting, the goal is a space that feels thoughtful, comfortable, and complete.
If you’d like a little guidance with your space, you can learn more about our interior design services below.
Explore Interior Design Services
Planning a kitchen, living room, or full home project? Start with a quick discovery call to see if we’re a good fit.
Let’s go beyond the design to build something beautiful together!
Until next week,
Happy Building, Friend!!
Don’t forget to join my VIP List below for many more great tutorials.
Hop over to Instagram to see all of the D2B behind the scenes. What am I working on now?….come check it out!
More Great D2B Posts:
DIY Square Board and Batten Wall Treatment-Staircase
Traditional Board and Batten DIY Tutorial
0 Comments
Trackbacks/Pingbacks