Removable board and batten wall treatment for a cabin cozy living room
Right when everyone is busy gearing up for Christmas decorating, there’s me staring down my living room walls.
I wasn’t really excited to decorate for Christmas until I did something extra special in the living room to add more character…
But this isn’t exactly the best time of year for major renos! I should be hauling out the Christmas tree! So what would be relatively easy to do but still make a big desired change all the same to freshen things up?
And that’s when I replayed yet again for the millionth time of my desire for a removable board and batten wall treatment for a cabin-cozy living room.
Why removable? Well…
Why removable?
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So I can change my mind with minimal effort to fix! 🙂 And for another reason…
Since painting my living room walls a bright white, I’ve loved them. But I kept visioning cabin-cozy character to the walls. I mean, shiplap walls would be amazing! But it’s also more expensive, involved and very permanent.
I wasn’t ready for permanent quite yet, because there’s another white elephant in this room. And his name is popcorn ceilings.
I’ve planked popcorn ceilings before HERE in my master bathroom. They turned out amazing! However this area is so much bigger. And after getting a few quotes, they came so high I let it go for now.
So if I wanted to go ahead with a cozy wall treatment before the ceilings were done, it would have to be removable… just in case.
That’s when I mulled over my quirky removable board and batten wall treatment idea once again.
The idea was very simple… a board and batten wall of sorts, with random sized and spaced boards, with the odd one on an angle for something different, similar to what I did in my master bathroom HERE and laundry room HERE.
I was still a little undecided about going for it until I spotted these bundled mdf mouldings in Home Depot. Well that would make this job easier! Next thing I knew, someone’s hands (mine!) were rounding up a buggy and plunking 2 sizes into the cart. Huh. Guess I was going for it after all…
And so I did. I went full tilt and the results turned out SO good! I’m finally going to have that cabin-cozy Christmas, thanks to this super easy removable board and batten wall treatment!
This would also be an awesome and easy wall treatment for renters too since it leaves just minimal nail holes when removed.
Here’s what I ended up doing…
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Removable board and batten wall
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Supplies I used:
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2 sizes of MDF moulding – mine measure 2.5″ and 3.5″ (mine were from Home Depot in Canada)
Wall paint (I used a pure white Acrylic eggshell by Cloverdale Paint in Canada)
Paint brush – I personally love a good quality synthetic paint brush you can find HERE
Drywall filler and putty knife
Painters drop cloth or old sheets
How-to:
Paint walls
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1. I first painted all the walls my desired colour of pure eggshell white straight out of the can. Yup. That’s my white!
Paint boards
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2. All the MDF moulding pieces (that came primed) were rolled with the same roller and paint so they would look seamless against the walls.
And there’s one more very simple step to the wall planks that really makes a difference…
Angle wall plank bottoms
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3. Each wall plank bottom was angled at 40 degrees, leaving a flat area to sit on the baseboards.
Because my baseboards had a thinner top, I decided to try angle cuts on the bottoms of the wall planks, so they would better marry the baseboards, as if joined together.
The above picture is a side view of a wall plank. The lower part goes against the wall while sitting on the baseboard and the higher part faces out.
I fell in LOVE with the result!
The angle cuts really give the boards a higher quality finish, looking less bulky than if they were to just stick out beyond the baseboard.
Above is a side view drawing of a wall plank and baseboard meeting up.
But if your baseboards are squared off, an angle cut wouldn’t be needed.
Attaching the boards to the wall
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4. One board was measured, cut, then air nailed along the ceiling.
I used 3 nails. Very minimal.
4. Two different sized wall boards were cut to fit vertically, then spaced randomly and nailed to place on the wall.
I like to start with one nail in the centre of the board, then slightly tap board into position against a level. Then add more nails once straight.
Hitting studs wasn’t on my radar. I just used enough nails for the boards to look like they were tightly fit. They turned out looking GREAT!
And, my very favorite detail comes next…
Adding an angle board
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5. 1 board was measured, cut, then nailed into place on an angle.
I love the added detail! I think it adds a cozy cabin or ski lodge vibe!
It was a little tricky to measure, cut and fit the angled board though, thanks to a rock fireplace surface on one side and a closed in wall on the other!
And this is impossible to explain. LOL
But I basically used a string as a measuring guide, transferred the length onto the board, then used a paper template traced against the fireplace rock to cut the bumpy edge.
To figure out the angle cut on the right, a little board (on the right) was placed on top of the long board, pushed up against the wall. Then traced and cut.
It was a perfect fit!
6. Once one side of the fireplace was done, I moved onto the other side.
7. Each nail hole was filled with drywall filler, allow to dry, then lightly sanded and painted.
Since I was using MDF moulding instead of real wood, I found the surface sometimes cracked sort of like an eggshell when the nails went in. So I found drywall filler did a better finishing job than caulk.
So! Let’s take the tour so you can see the astonishingly different result!
Before with no wood trim:
The finished board and batten
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And after! Check out that decadent character just a few MDF moulding boards made!
If you adore the neutral argyle pillow, you can learn how to make it HERE
Plus find the Argyle stencil HERE
And backing up, here’s the entire wall. Isn’t it pretty?!
Because the walls were sized differently on both sides of the fireplace, the only boards I ensured to copy for both sides were the angled boards and the two closest to the mantel so a center view had a cohesive look.
The board placement is meant to look random. You can even exaggerate irregular placements even more if desired! I may add one more to the left.
I mean, THIS winter-themed living room with its bare white walls is pretty too!
But the removable board and batten wall treatment adds a cozy element they just didn’t have before!
I’m still deciding if I will wrap the entire room with this treatment in the new year… but it does look great as a feature wall by itself.
And should I decide to do the ceilings at a later date? These boards will pull off in minutes and can be reused again!
This removable board and batten wall was a very quick and easy project with big impact.
Leaving plenty of time to still put up that Christmas tree…
I’m loving it and I’m just glad I finally went for it!
What do you think of boarded walls? Could this be a possible easy solution for you too?
Other wall treatment ideas you may enjoy:
Board and batten attic towel wall in bathroom
Pallet wood closet wall in bedroom
Black wall with shelving in guest room
Visit other unique wall treatment projects HERE
Check out all my other DIY projects HERE
I love this look! I think it may be too much on all the walls but very much a win as an accent wall. Great job! Now where is that Christmas tree and stockings? Lol
Thanks Deb! I’ll get right on it… LOL
Oh my gosh Donna that looks amazing!! You’re making me want to do that someplace in my house… but where? You have such beautiful and eclectic wall treatments in your home. I absolutely love the bedroom with the shelves. Amazing! Thanks for all the inspiration! I’ve been amazed and inspired by you for 10 years now and I’ve tried (copied) many of your projects. xo
Awww, thanks for the major kudos, Susan! Pick a wall… any wall with a room that needs a little something more… it’s easy to do!
It really adds that something something and looks really nice!
Thanks Bliss!
Great post, We had popcorn ceilings throughout our home and covered all of them with Styrofoam ceiling tiles. We absutely love them and they are easy to put up and inexpensive. You might want to check them out. Everyone who has seen them wants to know what they are.
Thank you Gae! And I googled the panels right away. What a cool option to consider!
Hi, how are they attached to the ceiling? Glue?
I googled it and it appears glue is what is used. Very interesting!
Donna,
You did a great job on the walls, I love the subtle hint of the angled boards with those lovely wooden skis, makes you want to take a downhill run!
Not that I left a comment on a previous post because I was too busy grabbing my car keys to go get the bulletin board for all my jigsaw puzzles. I got a great size for $7.99 at a discount store. It was such a “duh” moment for me since I’m always repurposing items. So thanks for that one too.
Sara
Thanks so much Sara! And way to go on the puzzle board! I plan to bring mine back out once I finish decorating for Christmas!
That board and batten is subtle but truly makes a world of difference.
Thanks so much Mary! I am LOVING the change!
Donna! This wall treatment is so different, unique and fun. Love the random spacing and the diagonal boards that make it relaxed and with movement. Most board and batten walls I have seen on Pinterest are straight up and down, evenly spaced, and though they look nice, I am so drawn to your variation! It does give off a cozy, cabin-y vibe, especially with the vintage skis and the rustic stone fireplace. You are so creative. Like others, I *have* to find a wall in my house to do something like this!
Blessings,
Sindy
Wow Sindy… thank you so much! I myself prefer non-symmetrical decorating because there’s a break for my brain to rest, otherwise I play back what I see a million times over. Haha! Sounds like you totally get me! Yes, try it and report back! It’s easy.
WOW! I love board and batten walls! I’m going to have to steal your idea as I love that they are not permanent. I’ve wanted one of my bathrooms board & batten for a long time 🙂
Thanks Sharon! This one’s an easy one to copy for sure!
I’m currently finishing a bathroom reno and my inspiration was your bathroom ceiling and board-and-batten look walls. I hope to finish it up this weekend, wish me luck! Now onto my living room … it’s crying out for a fresh look and I may incorporate the same boards there.
I went to check out your pallet wood closet wall and the majority of the pictures wouldn’t display, but the one or two finished looks were great! Different from the all-white, but it would be a great solution for uneven walls or a rustic touch if you want it. Thanks again for your inspiration!
Thanks Melanie! Your bathroom sounds amazing! So happy to have inspired!
And egads… I’ll go check out and try and fix that post! Thanks for the heads up!
Great job! I think you should make that permanent.
Haha! Thanks Jane! It’s there to stay until I tackle the ceiling one day for sure! I am loving it!
Donna,
Another amazing project!
Donna, I love it and the idea of temporary treatment. Although, I don’t know if I would ever change it. The extra detail really accents the fireplace. Great job.
Thank-you Jeanette! And what a compliment! I don’t plan to remove it unless I have to work on the ceiling… but I’m not sure I see the ceiling quite as much now… hmmm!!
Hi Again Donna,
You said you were overlooking the ceiling for now and I definitely wouldn’t suggest tackling it during the holidays. Yes, it would be pricey to have someone do it and I’m not sure you could google, I didn’t try that myself for a “How to remove a popcorn ceiling” but maybe even YouTube. I do know it’s actually rather simple, besides the mess, and moving stuff below out of the way. Warm water in a spray bottle, and one of those handy wide putty knives, and it can be scrapped right off. It’s just plaster added over the dry wall ceiling. It’s simply labor intensive if you have to pay for it but personally I’d rather save it for the finish work.
Story on me, I grew up in an older home with hung plaster walls, needless to say my Mom wasn’t keen on us putting nail holes in those but my Dad even showed me how to fix them when a door knob went through one. Whoops! I was in high school and SO bored with the ceiling in my bed room that I begged my Mom to let me redo it. She said if I paid for the wallpaper she’d pay for someone to hang it. Can we say green grass cloth walls and blue, green and white floral ceiling! Like being in a field of flowers! this crazy girl got her dreams and Everyone loved it and being in the room. So, go for it!
Sara
Hi Donna
Love the look of the board and batten..I have a stone fireplace and dark panelling on either side..everyone says my room is too dark. After reading this I am tempted to do this look. I love it…I need to go back as well and find where you made the wood shutters as well. Thanks for all your great ideas! You inspire us all during this unknown time.
Kathy
Thank-you Kathy! You may wish to consider painting your paneling first! Your walls would likely have a boarded up look doing that as well. I do find a dark fireplace lends itself well to lighter walls around it, otherwise you can end up with a big dark hole on one side of the room. I even generally decorate with lighter things on the fireplace mantel so they show up! haha
Thanks Donna. I am a bit nervous about painting the panelling incase I find it too stark..I will also decorate with lighter things to see if that changes it up. Thanks for the great tips…stay safe and well. Kathy
Boarded walls look amazing in different tones too! White just happens to suit my own home because ALLLLLL my walls are white. haha
Genius????!!!!!!