The Easy DIY Board And Batten Wall Hack That Works In Every Room

Whether it's on your interior walls or your home's exterior, board and batten is having a bit of a moment. Thanks to the popularity of the modern farmhouse look, this centuries-old style is having a comeback. And when it comes to interior walls, this is an incredibly DIY-friendly project that can give a once boring room a bit of architectural interest. This easy project also has the advantage of being inexpensive, especially when you use a hack that cuts down on the materials you need to get the same look as full board and batten walls.

Traditional board and batten uses a vertical trim (or battens) to cover the seams between boards applied to the wall. It's often used as a decorative wainscoting in homes. However, if you have walls that are in good shape, you can skip the boards and apply battens directly to the wall. This method will save you time, money, and no one will be able to tell the difference between your hack and the real thing.

The cost of materials for a board and batten project differs depending on the size of your room and the exact materials you use, but for the sake of simplicity, let's assume you use primed MDF for the battens – a 1 inch x 4 inch x 8 foot board will cost you somewhere between $10 and $20 at a home improvement center. Similarly, a 1/4 inch x 2 foot x 4 foot piece of MDF costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $15. So, it stands to reason you can cut the cost of your project roughly in half by skipping the boards, and just installing the battens.

Even if you choose to go with higher-end materials, you can expect to see similar savings. There are a few things to know before you choose this method. First, if you have textured walls, you may need to mud and sand them to achieve a more uniform texture, but the extra effort will be worth the savings. Also, be sure you know how to measure for board and batten, so you buy the right amount of materials.

Some especially thrifty DIYers have even used recycled materials — such as baseboards — as their battens, bringing the cost for this easy hack down even further. Of course, if you choose to use recycled materials, it's even more important to measure correctly so you know whether or not you have enough to finish the project.

Colton Crump DIY shows viewers how to use this hack in any room. Start by clearing your walls of any art, light switches, or other items that might be in the way. Choose your focal wall to begin your measurements, to ensure your battens fall perfectly on the wall you expect to look at most often. You can then apply your horizontal pieces (cut to length, of course) around the room, ensuring they are level before permanently attaching them to the wall. Use a product like Liquid Nails to secure them in place and use finishing nails to keep them from moving as the adhesive dries. Repeat the same process with your vertical battens, making sure you space them appropriately.

If you have textured walls, you can use mud to smooth them out before sanding, priming, and painting your brand new board and batten. To get great results, it's a good idea to know how to use paint to define your new architectural element to ensure you pick the perfect paint color.