A wood accent wall is a great way to give a room a cozy and warm touch. They are simple to construct, can be finished in a variety of finishes, and look great anywhere.
Continue reading to learn how to make this simple home project so that you can start building your wood accent wall.
What You’ll Need
- 3 cm x 15cm tongue and groove boards
- You can stain the color of your choice
- Sealant
- Finish nails
- Stud finder
- Niveau
- Hammer
- Carpenters pencil
Measure Your Space
To ensure that you have enough supplies, you will need to map the space you are working in. There are few things more frustrating than having your job interrupted mid-job to make it back to the shop. And no one loves having to return supplies to the store again and again.
After measuring the wall to be worked on, you can determine how much wood is needed for the project. This project can be tackled in the easiest and most efficient way: with 3 cm x15 cm tongue and groove boards. These boards are simple to use, can be stained, and give off a beautiful finished look.
However, if you prefer to use reclaimed or other wood, you can still build a wood accent wall. Nearly all the steps in our guide will still work.
It is time to purchase supplies once you have a rough idea of how much wood you will need.
Stocking Up
You probably already have the tools you need to do this job. If not, this is the perfect time to rent or buy them.
It’s also an excellent opportunity to choose how you want to finish your wall. There are many options. You could choose a stain to stain your entire wall in one color or you could choose several colors and make a unique pattern on your wall. Or, you can buy prefinished tongue-and-groove planks that will simplify the process.
After you have decided how to finish the wall, and all the supplies are purchased, it’s time to start cooking on your accent wall.
Mark The Studs
It is important to mark and locate the studs on the wall before you start.
If you are old-fashioned, use a stud finder or knock and listen to identify the location of the studs. Mark the location of the studs at the top and bottom of your wall with a pencil made by a carpenter. Next, draw a line between your mark at bottom and the mark at top using a straightedge or a level.
This will make it easier for you to locate the studs once it is time to nail your planks.
Choose A Pattern
You are almost ready to build the wall. However, it is a good idea before you start to choose a pattern for your wood accent walls. You may be able use full planks depending on the wall’s width. You can also use multiple cut planks for an additional dimension to your project.
You will need at least two different lengths of planks if you plan to use multiple cut planks. I use 25 cm planks to make it easy. I then cut them so that I have 15 cm and 10 cm pieces. You can choose the length of your planks.
Take The Planks
After you have decided whether you will create a pattern for your wood accent wall, it is time to cut your planks. You may be able skip this step if your room is the same length as the planks that you purchased.
For most people, however, cutting will be necessary. Mark the location where you will need to cut each plank with a pencil. Next, you will need to use your tablesaw (or any other saw that you have) to cut the planks.
Preparing The Wood
This step depends on how you intend to finish your wood accent wall. You can skip this step if you have prefinished planks. This step can be skipped if you are finishing your wall in a single color. If you are using multiple colors to give your wall dimension and interest, however, it is best to remove the staining before installing.
Use the paintbrush and the stain you have chosen to color each plank. Let each plank soak up as much stain possible. Then wipe the plank with a clean cloth to remove any remaining stain. Continue this process until all planks have been stained. After that, let them dry.
Installation Of The Wall
Now it’s time to attach your planks to your wall.
You’ll be working from the bottom. Start by attaching your first plank to the wall, with the tongue facing up. You can drive nails into the previously marked stud locations. You can create a patterned wood accent wall by repeating this process with as many plank sections as you need.
Next, place the tongue side up on the next plank. Align the groove on its bottom with the tongue of the one you just attached. Some planks will snap together easily, while other times you’ll need to give your top plank a few more shots with the hammer before it locks in place.
Nail the plank in place once it is in the groove. Continue this process until the wall is reached.
You can measure the outlets and then cut around them when you are installing the wall. Once you have reached an outlet, lay your plank out as if you were installing it. Next, use a Sawzall or a Jigsaw to make the outlet smaller.
Take The Final Plank
You will need to cut the last plank, unless you are extremely lucky and have enough room to add another full plank to your wall. You will need to measure the distance between the ceiling and the top of the plank, and then mark the line with a pencil and level. You will need to mark the groove from the bottom of each plank you are ripping.
Next, use a table saw to rip the last plank. Then, discard the section using the tongue. To finish the wall, you will install the final plank in the same manner as the others.
Finishing The Wood Accent Wall
You can skip staining if you have already finished the job, or if prefinished planks were purchased.
If you are using a single color stain on your walls, then stain them first. Use a paintbrush and the stain you choose to evenly stain the wood. After allowing the stain to dry, wipe the wood with a damp cloth to remove any remaining stain. You can repeat this process as many times as you need to get the finish that you desire.
To ensure that the wall looks great for many years, seal it. You can then admire your new wood accent wall as it dries by applying one to two coats of sealant with a paintbrush.
The Final Word
It’s a simple and enjoyable project to build your own wood accent wall. You should have all the information you need to build your wood accent wall. However, feel free to modify the outline to make it your own.
Check out these tutorials if you’re eager to get started on your next woodworking project.
