This super easy and affordable board and batten tutorial will give any space in your home immediate character and charm. And the best part? You don’t have to remove your baseboards!
Adding board and batten to our main living area has been on my to-do list for some time now. I think it is such an affordable and easy way to add character to any space.
I’m going to show you how we did ours. However, it is entirely customizable so you can tweak it to fit your space how you want it. And the best part? No need to remove your baseboards!
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Supplies Needed for DIY Board and Batten
- Wood – We used Common Board from Home Depot
- 1×2’s for the board sitting on top of our baseboard, and 1×4’s for the other vertical and horizontal boards
- Saw
- Tape Measure
- Level
- Liquid Nails
- Nail Gun
- Caulk/Caulk Gun
- Wood Filler and Putty Knife
- Sander
- Paint/Brushes/Roller
We decided to add the board and batten to our entryway, hallway, and part of our living room. Like I said, there are so many ways to customize how you want your board and batten to look. But I knew that I wanted ours to be pretty simple.
Here are some before pictures of the space we were working with.
Directions for Attaching DIY Board and Batten
- We didn’t want to rip up our current baseboards to do this project. And I also didn’t want the 1×4’s to stick out over them either. So we added a 1×2 right above all the baseboards to make it look more put together. And it would end up flush with the vertical boards.
- I used a miter saw to cut the angles and attached them with liquid nails on the back. Then used our nail gun to secure them from the front.
- Next we lined up our 1×4 vertical boards where we wanted them. We had these cut in half from 8ft 1×4’s at Home Depot, so each vertical board measures 4ft. After figuring out which spacing would look best (15 inches apart) we started to attach them. Then we used liquid nails on the back of each board and our nail gun on the front to attach them. Make sure each board is flush to the horizontal 1×2 on the bottom. Use your level to make sure they are all vertically straight.
- Once you have all of the vertical 1×4’s complete, you can attach the top horizontal 1×4. We did have to fill in a few gaps since all wood isn’t its exact measurement. I used wood filler for these imperfections.
Directions for Filling, Sanding and Painting DIY Board and Batten
- After all the boards were attached, I used wood filler to fill in all the nail holes. Also any gaps where the wood meets each other. Once it was completely dry, I used a sander to sand it down.
- I used paintable caulk on each space where the board met the wall. That way it would look seamless when I painted it.
- After everything was filled in and cleaned up, I taped off the board and batten and was ready to paint. I highly recommend using a regular paint brush to cut into all the corners. Then use a small roller to fill in all the rest.
- I am pretty much in love with the KILZ Magnolia Paint right now. So I decided to use KILZ Magnolia Home True White in a Satin finish. Love this paint!
- Once your paint is all dry and finished, remove the tape and enjoy! It really does make a world of a difference in your space!
This little update truly changed the look of this entire space and I am so so glad we finished it!
What do you think? Have you added something like this to your home? Or do you plan to? Let me know!
More DIY Posts
- How to Install Vertical Shiplap
- Farmhouse Pantry Makeover
- Entryway Closet Makeover
- Easy DIY Baby Gate
- Industrial Coffee Table
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Brianna says
Question so the 1×2 you put over your baseboard still over hangs your baseboard right? It’s just so the vertical boards don’t?
Jeremyt says
Ashley, I will need to do a similar camouflage in the transition from baseboard to horizontal board like you did. My question is regarding that 1 x 2 piece. How far is it “overhanging” your baseboard and when you are in the room can you even notice that overhang? I have 1/4 inch baseboards at the top so working with a thin area and wanted to know. Thank you!
james says
You really a good content writer, am really admire it.
If I have a huge window in my living room and I want to do the whole living room, would I do just verticle boards under the window even though they are not going to be 4′ high or would you just not do anything under the window? thank you much
aa says
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VertigoVisual says
Amazing article, loved reading it. i really like your blog.
jeena says
WOOW its really amazing .
You made my day , its nice to read this .
Thank you so much
steven oliveri says
Looks great but I would have 45 the ends of the verticals so it would be flush with the floor molding.. I think that would have looked much better and cleaner but all in all great job and thank you for sharing.
bell says
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Jannie says
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Coco says
This was really helpful because I was hoping I could leave my baseboards but wasn’t sure how to make it work. This explained it so well and it looks beautiful too. Thank you!!!!
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Susan Mathison says
I realize that this is an older post, but I wanted to comment on the idea of using the 1×2’s over the baseboard trim! I’ve avoided using any sort of board and batten or shiplap because of my baseboard moldings. Thanks for the tip- yours look great!
Ashley Broviak says
I love that! Thank you for sharing, and hope it was helpful!
Chile says
You say you added the 1×2 a top the current baseboards. My question is, did you just put it right at the top of the baseboard or did you have to miter the backside? I get you would need to miter the corners, but was wondering if any other adjustments were needed.
Tara Bearup says
If I have a huge window in my living room and I want to do the whole living room, would I do just verticle boards under the window even though they are not going to be 4′ high or would you just not do anything under the window? The space under the window is about 2 feet.?? I love this
Melisss Perrotto says
Random question but what length nails did you use? Definitely trying the 1×2 trick so I don’t have to take off the baseboards!
Diane Kuzina says
Looks great going to do it in my fixer upper house im working ony
MR HELP says
thanks to sharing such information with us. I hope you will share more information in future about home renovation Lahore.
Sue says
My walls are textured do they have to be worked on, or can they just be primed and painted with the paint you used?
Ashley Broviak says
If you are okay with them still being textured I don’t see why it wouldn’t work! I have seen people add sheets plywood to the walls BEFORE they added the battens so it was smooth..if that makes sense…?
Sonia says
Absolutely beautiful! Starting my foyer this week. How tall is the board and batten on the wall? The height is perfect.
Roland Buggs says
Hi Ashley, Great tutorial!Your home is so beautiful. I think we can do this, be great in dining room. Beautiful job.Thank you for the inspiration as always.
Debra Robishaw says
Great tutorial. I think we can do this, be great in dining room. Beautiful job.
Sandra says
Looks so much brighter and makes such a difference, beautiful!
Ashley Broviak says
Glad you like it! It definitely brightens up the space!
Julie @ Restyle Relove says
Great tutorial Ashley. I love board and batten. Your home is so beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration as always. 🙂 Julie
Ashley Broviak says
Thank you Julie! Such a sweet thing to say 🙂
Samantha says
Beautiful job!! What color grey is on your walls?
Ashley Broviak says
Thanks so much! It’s called Dolphin Fin by BEHR! I love it!