How to DIY Picture Frame Board and Batten
Looking for a way to elevate a space in your home? Look no further. This DIY picture frame board and batten wall treatment is the perfect addition.
This modern take on the traditional board and batten look offers a sophisticated look for any space. We added picture frame molding to our formal dining room, and I love how it came out. I wanted to recreate the concept in our primary bedroom but with some extra dimension.
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How to DIY Picture Frame Board and Batten
I was amazed at how much interest this DIY picture frame board and batten added to our primary bedroom. We have been slowly adding to our builder-grade home over the past two years, and I am so excited that this project is complete.
Materials:
- brown board
- 1×4 boards
- 1×6 boards
- ply cap molding (can also be called baseboard molding)
- crown molding
- sandpaper
- wood filler
- caulk
- primer
- paint
- spacers for outlets
Tools:
- painting roller and tray OR
- paint sprayer
- pneumatic nail gun
- level or a laser level
- pry tool
- miter saw
- table saw/skil saw
- tape measure
- caulk gun
- multi tool or jig saw
- stud finder
Before and After
How to calculate picture frame board and batten spacing
We started with a large blank wall behind our bed. I drew up a few different ideas of spacing for the board and batten and ultimately went with 5 panels. It’s a good rule of thumb to work in odd numbers, as they are more pleasing to the eye.
Once I knew how many panels I wanted to create, it was time to calculate the measurements of each panel.
Our wall is ___ inches wide. We used 1×4 boards vertically to create the panels. Even though the boards are labeled as 1×4, they are truly .75 x 3.5 inches.
We knew that we would have 6 vertical boards across the wall, so we measured the total distance of the wall and subtracted 7 inches to account for the 2 boards that would create the border. We then took that measurement and divided it by 5 to calculate our brown board widths. The 1×4 boards will cover the seams of these boards.
For the horizontal pieces, we used 1×6 boards. The height is truly a matter of personal preference, so we measured a few inches above our nightstands to place those boards.
Once we had our measurements, it was time to head outside and start ripping down our brown board to size.
Installing picture frame board and batten
After scoring the caulk line on the baseboard and using a pry tool to remove the baseboard, we were ready to move forward.
We marked that measurement on the wall and cut our brown board to that width. The brown board covers the textured walls and creates the traditional board and batten look.
We used our table saw to cut the brown board to width and attached it to the wall with our brad nailer along the studs. We used an oscillating multi-tool to cut out where the outlets in the wall are. We also used spacers to bump out the outlets so they would be flush with the wall once the brown board was attached.
Once the brown board was installed, we filled all of the nail holes with wood filler. We also applied two coats of primer on the boards with the BIN primer because the brown board was so glossy, and we didn’t want the paint to eventually chip or peel once the project was complete.
A few days later, we came back and nailed some strips of the brown board to the wall where our horizontal pieces would be above the original brown board. This would ensure everything was flush and level.
Then, we started on the header horizontal board. We used 1×6 boards for all horizontal pieces. We installed that board along the wall a few inches from the ceiling. Our crown molding would eventually cover this gap.
* We used pre-finished boards. They are great quality for the price, and you do not have to worry about knots or wood grain!
We used our brad nailer to attach everything. Once we completed the top board, we moved to the bottom board. We did the same thing, keeping it a few inches away from the floor, as we planned to put the same baseboard back along this wall as in the rest of our home. This is optional. If you don’t want to add a baseboard on top of this piece, go ahead and take it to the floor.
After those horizontal pieces were installed, we moved on to installing the 1x4s on the edge of the wall. Then, we used our original measurement calculations to find where the center of each 1×4 should be placed to create equal-sized panels. Use a level to keep everything square!
Then, we started working on the horizontal 1×6 boards that would essentially break up the long panels. This adds an extra dimension and interest to the wall, but you could skip this step if you want. We installed the 1×6 boards a few inches above our nightstands.
Finally, it was time to start on the star of the show! The picture frame molding. We use this ply cap molding that you can find at your hardware store. I have consistently been able to find this trim at Lowes. We like to use the PVC version of this product because it finishes much better than the wood option.
We mitered a 45-degree angle on each piece to fit in the panels we created. This really makes the wall look luxurious! Once all of the pieces were installed, we filled any nail holes.
Once we installed the baseboard and caulked any seams, we were ready for paint!
*We did not caulk the ply cap molding to the wall, but if you need to, you can.
We used Sherwin Williams Super Paint in Satin in the color Pure White. We painted the wall using our paint sprayer, which gives a beautiful, soft application.
How to DIY Picture Frame Board and Batten
With the wall painted and dry, we could finally put our furniture back!
