Simple step by step to wall panelling or board and Batten! With wall panelling calculator!
This DIY was way easier than I imagined and so so effective! - To see a quick vision of this project check out this reel.
Here are some fab inspiration pictures which I loved! From a selection of beautiful Instagram accounts! The beautiful pink panelling from Sophie from @at_home_with_the_ryans and the black living room is from another Sophie from @no.42_x aren't they just stunning! The 3rd is my finished panelling in Natural Hessian!
Step By Step Guide to a panelled wall!
Step 1) Measure your wall which the panelling is going onto! Remember to measure ABOVE the skirting board as otherwise your measurements of the wall will be incorrect. Learn from my mistake! Oops!
Step 2) Using this spreadsheet calculate how many verticals you need. Just enter your wall width and your ideal spacing between (or how many verticals you want and it will tell you the spacing), the spreadsheet will work out how many you need and then what the actual spacing will be as with my method to ensure a good finish I love to have a panel at either end of the wall.
Write these down, for this guide I will use my measurement gap of 300mm for ease.
Step 3) Work out the height you wish to have your panelling.
- Do you want it just above your headboard to act as a shelf?
- Do you want it further up the wall the hang artwork on the panelled part of the wall?
- Do you want it for a space like a hallway where hip height works best?
Are you going to have a horizontal panel piece along the bottom above the skirting board? If so then you will need to remove this height from your total height, don't forget the top vertical too! e.g. Panelling height 1450mm with top and bottom verticals, order height of 1250mm (if strips are 100m wide).
Step 4) Is a shelf part of your design? If so what are you wanting the shelf to hold? A few prints or vases, flowers, plants the whole lot? Do you want it a full width? A shelf needs to be a minimum thickness of 12mm MDF
Step 5) Order your panelling! I use a site called Cut My Plastic! Its fab, enter all your measurements and ships right to your door! It is the cheapest to your door service I have found and the customer service is great too!
For the panelling I would suggest 9mm MDF, although I used 6mm I do regret this as there isn't as much definition. Just add to the site the dimensions you've worked out about and there you have it. If your room is wider than 2400mm you'll need to get 2 pieces, think were you want the join, I found it easer to just get 2 of the same lengths.
Do take note on your wall where the slats will go, are there any plug sockets in the way? If there are don't worry Cut my Plastic can accommodate for this also! Brilliant right! (Why didn't I know that before!)
If you're adding the top shelf you need a piece of 12mm MDF which will span the entire width of the room. (You will probably need to buy 2 shorter sections)
Step 6) Order your other essentials!
Here's your shopping list! I got everything I needed from Screwfix!
- Double sided tape (I only used one roll for the entire wall!)
- Filler, you can use any type of filler if you already have some! Polyfilla is great to have in the house anyway! I have linked exactly the one I used.
- Paint of your choice
- Masking Tape
- Paint Brushes/Rollers etc.
If adding the shelf - This will be covered in a following tutorial.
- Nails
- Wood Glue
- Screws and Rawl Plugs10mm (Only needed if you're adding a shelf like mine!) - Depending on the type of walls in your house you may need different types of fixings.
- Electric Drill and Screwdriver.
Step 7) - You're ready to go! Start with the bottom and end pieces
First If you are using a piece at the bottom, attach this, (If not, I didn't, then complete this step with your first end piece!) using the double sided tape, run the tape the entire length of the MDF.
Smooth down the tape so fully secured to the MDF and then remove the backing. Use a level to ensure straight on the wall and smooth fully down ensuring a good bond with the wall.
When using a level you want to aim for the bubble to be centralised between the 2 lines.
At the end of this step you will have attached to the wall at either end of the wall, and if using the bottom horizontal.
Step 8) - Measure and mark for the next pieces! We will start from the left panel and work across.
Now you need the measurements from the calculator! Remember those? Did you write these down? From my example I am going to use 300mm. This is the space where you will see wall.
From the right hand edge of your 1st panel measure (for me 300mm) make a mark.
Place your upright MDF to the right of this mark and mark at the right hand edge. Repeat this process from that mark until you've made it to the right hand upright!
We are doing all the measuring now to ensure that your figures are remembered definitely work on your wall.
Everything correct? Still with me?
Step 9) Tape all of the remaining uprights, don't forget to smooth down the tape! Peel and stick according to your marks from Step 8! Be sure to use the level to ensure they're straight! Press down to support.
Repeat until all pieces are on and then attach the top pieces also******! If at this point you do have some massive gaps at the top, just peel off your panels and move them up, gaps at the bottom are seen less than gaps at the top.
**** IF YOU ARE INCLUDING THE SHELF THIS WILL BE INCLUDED IN A SEPARATE TUTORIAL BUT CONNECT THE SHELF TO THE TOP HORIZONTAL USING GLUE AND NAILS! THEN THIS WILL NEED SCREWING INTO THE WALL NOT TAPING*****
Step 10) Once all the panels are in place, time to caulk and fill!
Here you need to caulk and fill as per this diagram.
TOP TIP 1 - For caulking use a small bowl of water and washing up liquid in, dip your finger in this before wiping away the caulk this will stop it getting stuck to your finger.
TOP TIP 2 - After you have caulked preparing to wipe down release the pressure from the caulk gun to prevent wastage.
Step 11) Sand the filler!
Once the filler has dried sand this down to smooth, this will give you a seamless look once painted!
Step 12) Tape Up! Paint all the MDF with the MDF primer!
Just get in all the gaps, edges doesn't matter if you get the wall too! Just go for it!
Step 13) Add some colour!
Once the Primer is fully dry now you can add your chosen paint colour! Bring it to life! The colour which I used was Dulux Natural Hessian.
YOU'RE DONE!! If you've given this a go I would love to see how it has turned out! Tag me on Instagram @thisgirldiys or send me a picture!