Creating character, increasing the value to your home, and creating a personalized space are often goals for homeowners. Adding a wall treatment, such as board and batten, is a great way of achieving all three of these goals at once. Before we dive into board and batten, I want to clear up a little confusion about various wall treatments – shiplap, board and batten, and wainscoting. I think you will find this helpful!
Shiplap, board and batten, and wainscoting are terms often used interchangeably, but in reality they are 3 distinct wall treatments. Shiplap uses boards of wood that are applied to the wall horizontally, one on top of the next, so they create a small to minimal gap between them. Board and batten is the patterned use of wide boards separated by narrow strips – this can cover 1/2 the wall to the whole wall, where battens are applied vertically and sometimes horizontally as well. Wainscoting is the application of wall paneling (sometimes grooved) and covers the lower portion of the wall.
Why Choose Board and Batten?
Board and batten, along with other wall enhancements, can elevate the look and feel of any room in your home. Because board and batten can be applied to walls in a variety of ways, it adds loads of personality and style. Other benefits include:
- Adds character & charm
- Provides texture & dimension
- Creates visual interest & balance
Board and Batten Styles and Design Ideas for Every Room
Balance in the Kitchen
What I love about this example is that is displays the use of board and batten to help balance the room. As you you can see in the before photo, chair rail is mounted part way up the wall. While this can be an interesting element in some spaces within the home, in this kitchen, it served as more of a visual interruption. So we were able to remedy this by adding board and batten between the trim and baseboard and found coordinating square tile backsplash to keep the
Harmonious Bathroom Design
I love this bathroom design from our Trolley House Flip. The nature inspired wallpaper brings some elements of outside into the space. By adding the wooden board and batten to the adjacent wall, it only serves to support the biophilic touches within this bathroom design.
Welcoming Atmosphere
Entering into your home should immediately set you and your guests at ease. This entryway I created (through AI tools to help depict design concepts for my clients ) is a great example of creating a strong welcome. The contrasting wall acts as a focal point for the practical components of the space.
Tips for a Perfectly Finished Walls
Should you DIY or Call the Professionals?
Here’s the thing with board and batten, DIY is a great option for many people, but before biting off more than you can chew, I recommend doing a lot of research and assessing whether you really have the right skills to get the job done correctly. Adding board and batten will require the use of power tools and accurate measurements. I emphasize the the latter because this will require strong planning and meticulous execution. Plus, you will need to understand how to work with or reinstall your existing baseboard trim to achieve the right outcome. This may not be for the novice DIY’er.
You should plan to call a professional if you 1) don’t have any (or have very limited) experience with this type of work; 2) want to add a pattern that covers the whole wall and uses both horizontal and vertical battens; and 3) have other unique features or factors that need accommodation during the installation.
What’s great is that there are more than enough DIY videos to help guide you – even as you assess whether this job is for you or the professionals!
Basics to Know
If you are considering whether adding board and batten to your walls is right for you and your home, here are some helpful insights :
When installed correctly and incorporated well into an overall design, yes, adding board and batten will increase the value of the home.
Adding board and batten comes and goes from the interior design trend scene. Designers and homeowners have used this enhancement as a staple wall application and feature for decades, so it shouldn’t be considered a trend.
The level of difficulty can depend on a variety of things. For a basic pattern, the installation is pretty straight forward. For more complicated patterns or to accommodate unique features on a wall, the level of difficulty increases.
The wood will be the most costly part of this project. Depending upon the type of wood you select, you can find ways to minimize the cost.
Final Thoughts
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Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)
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Hi Sarah,
Another great post! I didn’t know you offered this service. My husband and I are moving this fall and I’d love to get your advice on where to add some board and batten. It already has wainscoting. I was thinking a focal point in a bed room or even in a bathroom.
Donna
Hi, Donna!
I am so glad that you are inspired by this post! I would love to help you determine where to add board and batten in your home. If you want to schedule a design consultation with me, you can book one here:
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/40cc5459/appointment/67230711/calendar/10606243
Plus, if it is easier to do this virtually, we can do that too!
Have fun making house plans – I know I always do : )