Rental Friendly Faux Board and Batten DIY
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This article gives step-by-step instructions for creating faux board and batten using contact paper and PVC trim. This DIY project is rental-friendly and doesn’t require any expensive power tools.
We currently rent a house and the half bath felt plain. Instead of adding artwork I decided to wallpaper the upper wall and add a faux board and batten to the bottom of the wall.
I had the trim molding cut in-store and adhered to it using command strips. I followed a similar process in my laundry room last year and the trim still looks good.
After adding the faux board and batten I can say it’s an easy 1 day project! It adds character to a plain wall and if you are wallpapering—it will likely save you money not installing wallpaper to the floor.
5 Steps To Install Faux Board and Batten
1. Adhere White Contact Paper to the Wall
Measure the height you want for your white contact paper and install top to bottom using a wallpaper smoothing tool. I started in the middle of the wall, then repeated on either side until the bottom half of the wall was covered with contact paper.
2. Purchase PVC Trim Molding
I picked the widest but lightest pieces of PVC molding for this project. The contact paper I used was 17.7″ wide so I spaced my board and batten 35.4″ so every other seam was covered. For my half bath, I needed three 36″ PVC molding pieces and 1 long PVC molding piece for the top. While in the store I asked an employee to cut the trim before I purchased it.
3. Apply 3M Command Strips to Trim Molding
Place 15lb+ picture hanging strips along the back side of trim molding every few inches.
4. Attach PVC Molding to the Wall
Attach each short piece of molding to the wall with the picture hanging strips. Push firmly once installed. I recommend using a level to make sure the pieces are straight. I attached my board and batten every 35.4″ so every other seam was covered.
5. Attach the Top PVC Molding Piece
If you are wallpapering the upper wall, I recommend waiting to adhere the top PVC piece to the wall until after the wallpaper goes up. Then using picture hanging strips, press the PVC molding to the wall. It will rest on the lower PVC molding pieces.
Faux Board and Batten Supply List:
- White Peel and Stick Contact Paper
- Wallpaper Smoothing Tools
- PVC Lattice Molding, cut to size
- Command Picture Hanging Strips, 15lb+
- Pencil and level
Total cost: $70.31
Oh and here is a link to the fun dog wallpaper! I am a sucker for Rifle Paper Co. prints. And this dog wallpaper is peel-and-stick and rental-friendly.
Overall I am pleased with how the faux board and batten turned out! It was a relatively low-effort DIY project and elevated the bathroom’s style. Faux board and batten is more unique than just adding artwork, and it is removable and therefore rental friendly.
Rental Friendly Faux Board and Batten
Step-by-step instructions for creating a faux board and batten using contact paper and PVC trim. This DIY project is rental-friendly and doesn’t require any power tools.
Instructions
1. Adhere White Contact Paper to the Wall
Measure the height you want for your contact paper and install top to bottom using a wallpaper smoothing tool. I started in the middle of the wall, then repeated on either side until the bottom half of the wall was covered with contact paper.
2. Purchase PVC Trim Molding
I picked the widest but lightest pieces of PVC molding for this project. The contact paper I used was 17.7″ wide so I spaced my board and batten 35.4″ so every other seam was covered. For my half bath, I needed 3 short PVC pieces and 1 longer PVC piece for the top. While in the store I asked an employee to cut the trim before I purchased it.
3. Apply Command Strips to Trim Molding
Place 15lb+ picture hanging strips along the back side of trim molding every few inches.
4. Attach PVC Molding to the Wall
Attach each short piece of molding to the wall with the picture hanging strips. Push firmly once installed. I recommend using a level to make sure the pieces are straight. I attached my board and batten every 35.4″ so every other seam was covered.
5. Attach the Top PVC Molding Piece
If you are wallpapering the upper wall, I recommend waiting to adhere the top PVC piece to the wall until after the wallpaper goes up. Then using picture hanging strips, press the PVC molding to the wall. It will rest on the lower PVC molding pieces.
Recommended Products
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tiptopcarbon Wallpaper Kit Wallpaper Smoothing Tool Wallpaper Tools for Peel and Stick on Contact Paper Hanging Vinyl Backsplash Window Film -
Safiyya 393"x17.7"Peel and Stick Wallpaper White Wallpaper Waterpoof Contact Paper White Wallpaper Self-Adhesive Peel and Stick Wallpaper Decorative Wallpaper Vinyl Roll for Wall Kitchen
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Command Large Picture Hanging Strips, Damage Free Hanging Picture Hangers, No Tools Wall Hanging Strips for Back to School Dorm Organization, 14 White Adhesive Strip Pairs(28 Command Strips)
