DIY wood planked wall
August 27, 2012
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Our basement stairway was kind of the pits after the basement finishing – the tools and drywall scuffed and dinged up the walls, the old carpet was just…well, GROSS. And I had been using the walls in on the stairs to “store” all of my extra frames that I’m saving for upcoming projects.
Here it was in all it’s glory a few weeks ago:
The guys had to tear out some of the old carpet to install the baseboard trim by the stairs, so this actually looks better than it had looked. Before there was no trim at all along the bottom.
The first project was painting that trim before the new carpet was installed. It got a coat of primer and two coats of gloss white paint, which wasn’t too bad because I didn’t have to cut in or be careful because I knew the walls were getting repainted and the carpet was out of there.
After the new carpet was installed I went ahead with the walls. I decided to wait and paint after the carpet was installed because I figured there would be a bunch of scuffs from it being taken downstairs and installed on the stairs. And I was right. :)
I am pretty good at cutting in now, after years and years of painting, but I even so I like to tape off the trim before I paint so it protects it from those little bitty annoying flecks of paint:
I used my FrogTape and it didn’t have to be perfect because it was just there to protect the newly painted white trim. You can see that I don’t stick the tape down onto the trim, I let it stick out from the wall so it’s like a little “umbrella” for the trim. Precious.
After the painting was done (I used the Marina Gray color from the basement that I told you about in this post), I was onto my the big idea I’ve had for the large wall in the stairway.
I had been dreaming this up for months and I was so excited to get it started. The basement bathroom still sits empty and unfinished, but I just had to focus on this instead because I was so psyched about it!
I bought five packages of these pine wood planks from Lowe’s:
They are about $9 each so this project was less than $50 total. I installed them on the wall, much like I do any beadboard project – I started at the top and went down from there, making sure each one fit into the next snugly.
This tongue and groove planking is SO easy to install! I just nailed it in with my nail gun as I went down the wall. When I was done I gave it a very light sanding (this stuff is already smooth to the touch) and then taped off my walls and ceiling:
I used the delicate FrogTape for the ceiling because every. single. time. I’ve ever taped off the ceiling to paint, some of the paint comes off with the paint. This time it didn’t, so that was a nice bonus. ;)
My drop cloth was cut up trash bags:
I usually just use an old sheet for my drop cloth, but this time I was using stain, not paint. And stain is impossible to clean up – I wasn’t taking any chances with new carpet:
I used this dark walnut color and looove it. It’s close to the color of our wood floors and it’s nice and rich and lovely.
I gotta tell you, I was sweating while staining this wall – I’ve never stained anything this large or vertical and I had to work fast to keep a “wet edge.” I was also trying to watch drips and trying not to flick it everywhere as I was working.
Sweating.
After I was done wiping it down (I showed you how to stain here), I stood back and swooned:
I LOOOOVE it. Luuuuurve. Luuuuv. Whatever.
Obsessed with it.
Before we had a one bulb light fixture in this space that I installed years ago, but it didn’t give off enough light for my liking. Since this space was getting a redo anyway, I replaced it with a new track light:
I loved that I could aim a couple of the lights on the awesomesauce wall and the others off to the side.
Normally I wouldn’t be thrilled about track lighting, but they’ve come a long way. I’ve mentioned before that I’m going for a slightly industrial, but warm, look in the basement, and I think this light fits in SO well with the wood wall:
I had to use my jigsaw to cut the planks so they fit around that small ledge we have down there. It’s sooo not perfect but no one will ever notice it…as far as I know. ;) Oh, and the boards themselves aren’t exactly the same length. I was going to caulk the edges but after I stained I realized you can’t even tell.
I still have to paint that ledge white and then this space is DONE. Who knew a simple basement stairway would be so much work?
Here’s another quick look at the before:
And after trim, paint, new carpet, a wood planked wall, a new light and minus a cat:
OH, I also spray painted the brass hardware brushed nickel (after I took this picture last night) and cleaned up the railings really well. They were NAS. TY.
Here’s the bottom set of steps before:
(They had to take some of the stairs apart to install the trim, hence no carpet here).
And here’s the view from downstairs up to the wood wall:
LOVE IT!! It’s warm and unique and I would hug it if I could.
OK, I’ve tried.
One of the many things I love about the basement is all of the wall space – it has so much potential! We don’t have a lot of wall space upstairs because our home has an open floor plan, so I’m stoked about doing some fun things with all of it.
Even the stairs have a ton of wall space. I don’t know if I’ll hang anything on the wood wall or let it be the art. If I don’t, there's a large wall above the ledge that I want to do something fun with.
What do you think, add art to the wood wall or let it be? What would you do?
Affiliate links may be included for your convenience.
Here it was in all it’s glory a few weeks ago:
The guys had to tear out some of the old carpet to install the baseboard trim by the stairs, so this actually looks better than it had looked. Before there was no trim at all along the bottom.
The first project was painting that trim before the new carpet was installed. It got a coat of primer and two coats of gloss white paint, which wasn’t too bad because I didn’t have to cut in or be careful because I knew the walls were getting repainted and the carpet was out of there.
After the new carpet was installed I went ahead with the walls. I decided to wait and paint after the carpet was installed because I figured there would be a bunch of scuffs from it being taken downstairs and installed on the stairs. And I was right. :)
I am pretty good at cutting in now, after years and years of painting, but I even so I like to tape off the trim before I paint so it protects it from those little bitty annoying flecks of paint:
I used my FrogTape and it didn’t have to be perfect because it was just there to protect the newly painted white trim. You can see that I don’t stick the tape down onto the trim, I let it stick out from the wall so it’s like a little “umbrella” for the trim. Precious.
After the painting was done (I used the Marina Gray color from the basement that I told you about in this post), I was onto my the big idea I’ve had for the large wall in the stairway.
I had been dreaming this up for months and I was so excited to get it started. The basement bathroom still sits empty and unfinished, but I just had to focus on this instead because I was so psyched about it!
I bought five packages of these pine wood planks from Lowe’s:
They are about $9 each so this project was less than $50 total. I installed them on the wall, much like I do any beadboard project – I started at the top and went down from there, making sure each one fit into the next snugly.
This tongue and groove planking is SO easy to install! I just nailed it in with my nail gun as I went down the wall. When I was done I gave it a very light sanding (this stuff is already smooth to the touch) and then taped off my walls and ceiling:
My drop cloth was cut up trash bags:
I usually just use an old sheet for my drop cloth, but this time I was using stain, not paint. And stain is impossible to clean up – I wasn’t taking any chances with new carpet:
I used this dark walnut color and looove it. It’s close to the color of our wood floors and it’s nice and rich and lovely.
I gotta tell you, I was sweating while staining this wall – I’ve never stained anything this large or vertical and I had to work fast to keep a “wet edge.” I was also trying to watch drips and trying not to flick it everywhere as I was working.
Sweating.
After I was done wiping it down (I showed you how to stain here), I stood back and swooned:
I LOOOOVE it. Luuuuurve. Luuuuv. Whatever.
Obsessed with it.
Before we had a one bulb light fixture in this space that I installed years ago, but it didn’t give off enough light for my liking. Since this space was getting a redo anyway, I replaced it with a new track light:
I loved that I could aim a couple of the lights on the awesomesauce wall and the others off to the side.
Normally I wouldn’t be thrilled about track lighting, but they’ve come a long way. I’ve mentioned before that I’m going for a slightly industrial, but warm, look in the basement, and I think this light fits in SO well with the wood wall:
I had to use my jigsaw to cut the planks so they fit around that small ledge we have down there. It’s sooo not perfect but no one will ever notice it…as far as I know. ;) Oh, and the boards themselves aren’t exactly the same length. I was going to caulk the edges but after I stained I realized you can’t even tell.
I still have to paint that ledge white and then this space is DONE. Who knew a simple basement stairway would be so much work?
Here’s another quick look at the before:
And after trim, paint, new carpet, a wood planked wall, a new light and minus a cat:
OH, I also spray painted the brass hardware brushed nickel (after I took this picture last night) and cleaned up the railings really well. They were NAS. TY.
Here’s the bottom set of steps before:
(They had to take some of the stairs apart to install the trim, hence no carpet here).
And here’s the view from downstairs up to the wood wall:
LOVE IT!! It’s warm and unique and I would hug it if I could.
OK, I’ve tried.
One of the many things I love about the basement is all of the wall space – it has so much potential! We don’t have a lot of wall space upstairs because our home has an open floor plan, so I’m stoked about doing some fun things with all of it.
Even the stairs have a ton of wall space. I don’t know if I’ll hang anything on the wood wall or let it be the art. If I don’t, there's a large wall above the ledge that I want to do something fun with.
What do you think, add art to the wood wall or let it be? What would you do?
See all the other ways I've used these simple wood planks in our home here!
Affiliate links may be included for your convenience.
I think I drooled a little on my keyboard. That wall is AMAZING! We're getting ready to finish our basement, I might have to do this too!
ReplyDeleteAs for the artwork, unless it's a piece that really pops, I'd leave the wall as-is. It's gorgeous!
Ooh Sarah, it's so pretty! I love the way it looks with your new lighting and wall color. I'd leave it as is too.
ReplyDeleteWe did this same thing for an accent wall in our nursery, but used the cedar ones instead since he's a boy and boys get stinky. We also decided not to stain since it was cedar, but I went back and forth for a while. It's nice to see what it would look like if we decide to do it one day. They look great in your basement! Awesome job!
ReplyDeleteAwesome work girl! Leave it as is!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving that you post earlier in the day. Now I don't have to wait until just before bed to read them. =) How's the day without the Bub going? I'm getting ready for my little girl to be gone all day starting next week.
~ Catie
I love it Sarah! It looks fabulous and really give the stair well some personality! I feel so inspired to try in my house somewhere! Have a fabulous week! Angie xo
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! Makes me wish I had a basement! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my word! What a focal point!! Sarah, it looks fabulous. Love the stain. :)
ReplyDeleteOne large-ish piece of art. Something simple, with rustic elegance. Lurve your wall!
ReplyDeleteWe did ours with the same wood, but we used Cabot in the color Tannery. We love it and get so many compliments on it. Yours looks totally fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI'm a woodworker, so I hate covering up my pieces (I build fine wood furniture), but I also know that my pieces are intended for use, so my preference is to be very minimalistic about what is placed on them... so my advice would be a single large canvas item... can be a family portrait on the beach or a favorite painting... but keep it simple and 'earthy' in tone. That's my 2 cents :P
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, but definitely put something on the wall! I feel like it's a museum waiting for its art.
ReplyDeleteLOVE it! Can't wait to do this some day!!!
ReplyDeleteOk ... I am in love! I have been wanting to do the same type of thing in my sons room but with pallet wood, and then I realized what a pain it is to take the pallets apart. Sooo I just may have to go this route! Thanks for the idea!!
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to try this. It will be one of my first projects once I finally buy a house. Thanks for this DIY post.
ReplyDeletewww.homesweetabode.blogspot.com
Love, love, love that wall! I'd only seen that in restaurants before. It's funny folks said either leave as is or one big piece of artwork. My 1st thought was use it as a gallery wall for the kids school/art work. All framed in white (like your trim/railing) and changed out regularly. Place the nails in between your planks so they're semi-hidden. Multiple pieces would ensure some could be seen from downstairs and some could be seen from upstairs. Just my two cents...
ReplyDeleteAwesomeness! Love it! I'd let it stay just as it is. It's lovely as is!
ReplyDeleteOMG I love this!!! I want this in my home now!
ReplyDeleteI really love this! It's a great way to accent a wall without it being an "in your face!" kind of color. Perfect choice on the stain, too. Love. Love, love, love. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
Emily
It looks gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering -- why did you choose to stain it after it was installed (instead of staining the planks first, then nailing them up)?
OK I have to have this in my boys room! I would want to put a deer head on my wood wall because my boys are all into hunting and everything "woodsy". It would be PERFECT! Awesome job and thanks for the inspiration!!
ReplyDeleteLovely project! I've been considering a similar project but the wall I want to work with has a closet door in it. I've been concerned about how "finished" it will look along the edge of the wood planks where they run up against the door frame and the baseboards.
ReplyDeleteHow about you? How'd the project turn out around the baseboards?
I think I would use that wall as a "Mantle". In other words a big Christmas wreath of some sort, a big frame that can be changed out with seasonal pictures or whatever. I wouldn't tie myself down to a set piece of artwork. It's a gorgeous wall, it doesn't always need something but you could use it for seasonal dressing up occasionally.
ReplyDeleteUH-MAZING!! Seriously! Pinning this for a future project idea. Thank you for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeleteHeather
I LOVE this wall!! What a statement! Can something rustic be called beautiful at the same time? It looks much more expensive than it cost. (In my opinion) I think you should leave the wall as the art that it is right now. Eventually you can add a large print when you're ready, but for now I think enjoy it like it is!
ReplyDeletethat looks amazing! definitely a feature instead of this thing i pass on the way downstairs. and super cute kitty...guess i'm noticing now b/c it looks like our new one.
ReplyDeleteLike another commentor, I am wondering if the planks could be stained before installation? I can definitely see the pros - what would be the cons?
ReplyDeleteThanks all! I chose not to stain beforehand because that's just how I do things -- I prefer to stain/paint after everything is installed. In this instance it was much quicker to to stain while they were on the wall -- I would have had to wait to till they were completely dry to handle them (for sawing, jigsawing and installation).
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! I think I would add artwork.
ReplyDeletePHENOMENAL! I love this! So unique, so warm and so COOL!! I'm thinking about how I can utilize this somewhere in my home - brilliant! I saw for now, leave it be, and just enjoy it - I'm sure you'll come up with some way to dress it up if the mood strikes you. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove this! It's such a statement and really warms up the space
ReplyDeleteSo fun!
ReplyDeleteWow. I love it. Really. :)
ReplyDeleteLove this! I'm so glad you posted because I've been obsessed with the Home Depot TV ad that shows the couple putting up a wood focal wall made from...Pergo? Now I'm going to have to try it!
ReplyDeleteSIMPLY AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI just used these same planks in my sons room...love them:)
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, Sara. If possible it might be nice to add one of those wall fountains. It would be very dramatic. You rock, girl!
ReplyDeleteWOW. That looks absolutely gorgeous! What a bold, yet simple statement wall!
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that?! I love the texture it adds. I think I personally would hang some art on it for some color, but that's just me!
ReplyDeleteOh my word! That is amazing! I love the new take on the wood paneling, this is SO much better than the old style, and I love it (luuuurve it) so much! I can't wait to have my own house so I can add this for sure! :D
ReplyDeleteYou've done it again. Genius!
Yea, very awesome! Great stain color. I love how you always show us how to do really easy but amazing things to the home. I would definitely try those planks!
ReplyDeleteWOW. WOW. WOW!!! Did I say, WOW? I love what you have done....that is absolutely A M A Z I N G!!! XO ~Liz
ReplyDeleteI love the texture and dimension it adds to what is such a blank slate! I have the same dilemma about adding artwork. I stenciled my stairway and really don't want to put up artwork and create any holes. I'm thinking 3M strips might be the way to go.
ReplyDeleteWow, Sarah! Amazing! What a gorgeous focal wall. Love, love love!
ReplyDeleteThe plank wall is ah-mazing, totally worth all that sweating and taping and staining:)
ReplyDeleteIt looks awesome! I have been dying to plank something here. Love the color!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Now should I do one or both stairwells? lol I like Tracis idea of dressing as a "mantle" for different seasons. I also think a large (I mean large, too) black & white photo canvas of something you really like (i.e. NYC? Family? Bub?) could be used year round. AND I love it bare and spotlighted by the new track lighting. That new light really "makes" it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful project! I love the end look - you are brave for staining on the new carpet - I would have been to afraid of getting some stain on it! We are finishing our basement right now and are looking for ideas for the walls - will have to keep this in mind :)
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! I can't wait to own our first house so I can do that to our bedroom wall!
ReplyDeleteLOVE that wall! I wish I had a place I could do that in my house! It turned out beautiful and I have to admit, when I first read that you were staining it, I thought that was a bit crazy. :) Good job!
ReplyDeleteTurned out great!!
ReplyDeleteWow that is gorgeous! I would probably put a collection of frames on it. A mix of textures and colors and family photos. Either way it adds so much warmth to the room!
ReplyDeleteI love this!!! What a difference...it certainly makes for an inviting basement
ReplyDeleteThis is double fantastic! I love the wall so much I'm packing my duds to come and live with you!
ReplyDeleteThe wall and stairwell look great. How about a large mirror with a simple white or brushed "nickel" frame?
ReplyDeletelove love love, and you did it,Rocks
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to do the area around out fireplace ...between two windows and up to the peak(36 feet) redo the fireplace and a new mantle. Your idea hits it....thank you I love this and feel you deserve a weekend off....girl
That looks fantastic! I would have died trying to stain that wall; you are amazing!
ReplyDeleteOK so I'm in love with this!! I'm working on a similar project outdoors...and it's coming together SO nicely!! yours looks awesome, and I just love how it looks from the stairs!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks fantastic! I am curious about how it came out along the bottom. Were the planks a perfect fit from top to bottom of did you have to cut the bottom piece to fit. Also, did you remove the base trim and put it back on top of the bottom board?
ReplyDeleteI love it! Looks great. I was in the middle of decorating etc our newly built home when my husbands job moved us to Germany. I love checking out your blog and getting new ideas for our return in 2.5 years! Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteThis looks absolutely amazing -- you are the DIY queen! I say you should keep it bare and let it speak for itself -- it is a beauty! :-) Can't wait to see what else you have in store for us!
ReplyDeleteYou know something? I generally dislike timber walls unless they're painted, but this looks great! Its a real statement. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI'm in love. This will be perfect on my master bedroom focal wall. You are so creative! Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteLove your wall, perfect for the stairwell. Enjoy it blank for awhile, then when you're ready for a change, add a little bling. :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it too!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the wood planked wall! Looks so awesome! You've got me wanting to try this out to a wall in my house now. Hmmm...which one? I think you could do maybe just a single piece of simple artwork on the wall but it totally looks great without any, too.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the plank wall!!! You should be so proud - it looks awesome!!! where and what lighting did you use - would love to put it in my hallway :)
ReplyDeleteWowzers!! Love it. I was lining up to do a plank project too but your wall is to die for! I may need to rethink....
ReplyDeletewow! Inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't do anything to the wood wall. It's gorgeous the way it is! GREAT WORK!
I think one of those large floor standing mirrors with a great contrasting frame would look incredible if you have the floor space for it.
ReplyDeleteWell, you single-handedly just sparked a whole new wave of planked walls! It looks so amazing! Prepare to be duplicated! ps -- did you seal it? think it's necessary? I'm staining some stuffs and wondered.
ReplyDeleteThis. is. gorgeous.!! I've seen plank walls before that were painted white, but this dark stained plank wall is so warm and rich looking! Great inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteI ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS WALL! It is gorgeous. What a great idea to make the transition to the basement. I don't think it needs art. Its a work of art itself. love your blog and projects. check out my new design blog :)
ReplyDeletenice... that turned out really nice.
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS GORGEOUS!!! I can't wait until I have a place to do this!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are quite a carpenter person. You do all this yourself? You are so brave and clever. Guess it's like alot of things it's only scarey til you go at it then you can only learn and get better as you go? Sure looks like it. You'll have the best house in your area. It must be so great to have a basement to hide all your crafting messes as you make them, complete projects. You must have alot of energy also. So admire your resourcefulness and love your blog.
ReplyDeleteLeave that wall. It's beautiful. I also would like a wooden wall hug, if I could
ReplyDeleteYour wall looks GORGEOUS! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! I think I would have stained them before putting them up.
ReplyDeleteella
TX
I LOVE it! I would add a chunky round white framed mirror. Ok, that's my gut instinct anyway. We have a staircase like this and a mirror on the landing helps see which kiddos are lurking at the top past bedtime!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the planked wall! It looks amazing. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I would be tempted to add a single metal sculpture...something soft, flowing form, hinting of motion....like a satin brushed nickel finish of a bird in flight, or something circular and open....to add a little curve and fluidity and a faint gleam for the light to bounce off of.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely some kind of focal art. Some rustic print, wrought iron art, or a patchwork quilt?
ReplyDeleteIt looks FABULOUS!..I luv it.. luv it..luv it. I wouldn't add anything myself cause its amazing now but u could if u wanted..Thinking of where I could do this in my house
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to do a reclaimed wood wall. I'd hand one large piece of statement art after the newness wears off. Great work!
ReplyDeleteJust gave this great post a shout out!
ReplyDeletehttp://4you-withlove.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-friend-kari-of-newlyweds-on-budget.html
Just playing on Pinterest instead of shopping on black Friday! :-) LOVE this - I have been wanting to do this on my living room ceiling but I don't know if the weight would be too much! LOVE it! Nicely done. Thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHelp! I really want to do this but when I went to Lowes and Home Depot I can't find anything comparable. Can you tell me specifically what it is called? I couldn't find anything that inexpensive and since I am planning to do it on a huge wall the cost is important.
ReplyDeleteTammy I don't know the name specifically, other than beadboard (this one is without the "bead") or wood planks. I've heard from others who can't find it so I wonder if it's a regional product? Mine were on the end cap last time I was there, and the price has gone up a bit to $15, but the price could go down again. (Last I heard wood prices were up.)
DeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteYour wood wall inspired us to do something similar in our baby girl’s nursery. It turned out great… you can check it out here: http://purposefulproductions.blogspot.com/2014/04/diy-wood-accent-wall.html
Kassy :)
this looks amazing! so rustic! now off i go to find a wall of my own to do this to.
ReplyDeleteI will be doing this over Christmas break behind my toilet! I have been trying to ficure out what to do on that wall! Can't wait! Looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! You did a wonderful job!
ReplyDelete