If you’re looking for long-lasting and cozy walls, installing a board and batten wall is the solution. To get the most out of the board and batten wall pattern, study these 17 board batten wall ideas.
The best part is that you can use board and batten patterns in almost any interior room. They look elegant and cozy for the bedroom walls just as they do for the living room walls.
What is Board and Batten?
Board and batten, a.k.a. B&B or board and bat, is a type of wall paneling or siding style that consists of wide boards installed vertically and narrow strips of wood placed horizontally or diagonally over the seams.
Originally, board and batten paneling was used as a building technique for agricultural structures like barns. However, it has evolved into a decorative element in a variety of architectural styles such as rustic, modern, and farmhouse.
Pros and Cons of Board and Batten Walls
Before we start looking at various board and batten wall ideas, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of board and batten.
Pros of Board and Batten Wall
Aesthetic appeal: this type of paneling or siding is so cozy both for the interior and exterior of a home.
Durability: board and batten can last for several years if it’s installed properly.
Versatile: the technique can be used in various ways in architectural styles and designs.
Weather resistant: again, B&B siding has been used in farms for so many years, and it’s known for its resistance to strong winds, heavy rains, and snowfall.
Cons of Board and Batten
Expensive: board and bat is a little bit more expensive than other types of wall paneling or siding.
Labor-intensive: To achieve a cozy look with B&B requires precise measurement, cutting, and installation. And it takes time to get down with a specific wall.
Limited color options: board and board wall is not like blank walls that take you can throw any type of paint and work. It’s super selective.
Best Board and Batten Wall Ideas
Let’s look at these 17 board and batten wall ideas in fine detail.
1. Traditional Board and Batten Wall
Traditional board and batten paneling involves attaching the boards vertically to the exterior of a building, leaving a small gap between each board. The battens are then attached over the gaps between the boards, creating a raised, textured pattern.
It’s a popular choice for rustic and farmhouse-style homes, as well as for commercial buildings like barns and sheds. Most importantly, with a traditional B&B, you’re assured of a durable, low-maintenance option for exterior siding.
Note: there are also traditional board and batten for interior rooms. These usually have vertical rectangular boards.
2. Modern Board and Batten Wall
Modern board and batten paneling take after the traditional B&B. However, instead of widely using board and bat on the exterior walls, most modern property owners also use the technique to beautify the interior rooms.
So, if you’re renovating an old property, you should consider using board and bat in some rooms of your house. You can use it in the bathroom, bedroom, living or home office.
3. Rustic Exterior Board and Batten Wall
This is a type of exterior siding that emphasizes a natural, rugged look. It typically features wide boards with visible knots, grain patterns, and other imperfections that add character to the building’s appearance.
It’s commonly made of wood, such as cedar or pine, which can be left untreated to weather naturally and develop a rich, warm patina over time. You can use a rustic board and batten paneling for cabins, cottages, and other rustic-style homes.
4. Board and Batten Accent Wall
Another great B&B wall idea is to transform ugly interior walls with a board and bat accent wall. This is one of the best board and batten accent wall ideas.
It’s when narrow wood strips, or battens, are attached vertically to the wall, with wider boards attached horizontally in between. The result is a pattern of raised rectangles that creates a striking visual effect.
Using this paneling technic, you can personalize your room. And the best part is that you can do it yourself in a mini DIY project.
5. Board and Batten Wainscoting
This is another great wall décor idea for interior rooms. FIY: Wainscoting is a decorative interior wall paneling that typically covers the lower portion of a wall, often up to chair rail height.
By extension, board and batten wainscoting is an interior wall décor for the lower portion of the wall using boards and battens.
Typically installed in dining rooms or other formal spaces, board and batten wainscoting can be painted or stained to match the room’s decor and can add texture and visual interest to an otherwise plain wall.
6. Board and batten wall in a neutral color palette
Unlike popping colors, neutral colors work perfectly on a B&B wall. FYI: a neutral color palette consists of muted colors such as white, beige, gray, and black, and is often used in interior design to create a calming and sophisticated atmosphere.
I particularly like the board and bat painted in white. Of course, you can also paint it gray –especially if it’s used for wainscoting.
7. Modern board and batten wall with a dark accent color
This one is a favorite of many people. It features a bold, rich color used sparingly in interior design to add contrast and drama to a space.
You can use it as one of the 2 colors of a bedroom. For example, you can paint one side of the bed –especially where there is a headboard –in a dark accent like black or mint green and paint the remaining three walls in white.
8. Distressed Wood Rustic board and batten wall
Distressed wood is very popular in rustic style. Just so you know, distressed wood refers to wood that has been intentionally manipulated or aged to give it a weathered or worn appearance.
This can be achieved through a variety of techniques, such as sanding, brushing, staining, or painting. You can then use such wood for interior wall siding like board and batten wainscoting.
Note: if you don’t like the look, you can still paint it. However, people who opt for distressed wood like the look.
9. Board and batten half wall in a bathroom or powder room
Do you want stunning bathroom walls? Well, you can create an awesome interior for your bathroom using board and batten. it’s one of the modern board and batten wall ideas.
Install the board and battens up to half of the bathroom walls and leave the top area. Then create a distinction between the two patterns by painting them in different colors.
Painting the lower part, a.k.a. B&B half wall, in white matches well with the bathroom fixtures. If you’re going for a contrasting look, you can paint the upper wall black or gray.
10. Board and bat wall with a decorative panel or artwork
A wall pattern can be boring if it doesn’t allow any decorative items to be put on it. Board and batten siding is not such a pattern.
You can add wall décor just like any other wall. With just a nail screwed into a board or on a batten, you can hang a wall art, clock, or mirror.
For board and batten wainscotted walls, it’s even easier. You can place decorative panels or artwork above the top batten.
11. Board and batten wall with a built-in bench or seating area
You’re not going to believe this one. Image a wall with a built-in seat!
Crazy, right? I thought so too at first. But, yeah, you can create a board and batten wall with a bench or seat.
And the best part is that you can create seats with storage. This way you’ll be able to sit on it as well as store some small items.
12. Board and batten wall with a sliding barn door
Another great wall idea with board and batten is to install a sliding barn door that compliments the look. A sliding barn door has the same rustic design and origin as the B&B.
You can use this combination for a wall between the dining and living rooms. This way you’ll just be sliding the barn door when you want to pass.
13. Board and batten wall with a custom mural or wallpaper
This idea involves using a custom mural or wallpaper and a B&B pattern on the same wall. You can place murals or wallpapers on the board and let the battens protrude.
However, the most common one is to use the board and battens for wainscoting and install the wallpaper or mural above the wainscot.
14. Board and batten wall in a nursery or child’s bedroom with fun accents
A nursery or toddler’s bedroom is another great place to use board and batten. You can install board and bat in one wall and leave the other walls.
This will automatically create a focal point on the wall. And it looks excellent when the B&B wall is painted in a different color. Paint it with colors like black, white, orange, mint green, or blue.
And of course, you can hang some dolls, and other dangling pieces of accents to make the room rich for your child.
15. Board and Battens for exterior walls
Instead of leaving the bricks or whitewash-painted walls exposed, you add board and battens on these walls to make your property cozy and expensive.
Installing boards and battens on exterior walls is a popular idea for most people who like rustic style. Of course, it’s beneficial because it increases the value of the property.
And the best part is that you can install B&B using a variety of materials like vinyl, cedar, redwood, pine, and cypress. If one of these wood is readily available in your area, use it.
16. Board and Batten for Entryway Walls
This is another interesting idea. Instead of install B&B in a particular room, you install the pattern on the walls of the hallway or entryway.
17. Bedroom Board and Batten Wall
With this idea, you choose one wall of your room. And you install the batten boards on that particular wall and paint it in contrasting color.
How to Install Board and Batten Wall in 8 steps
Tools Needed to Install Board and Batten Wall
Before you embark on board and batten installation, you’ll need the following tools:
- Tape measure
- Saw (either a circular saw, miter saw, or hand saw)
- Drill or screwdriver
- Level
- Wood glue
- Brad nailer or hammer and finishing nails
- Stud finder (optional)
- Wood filler
- Sandpaper
- Paint or stain and brushes or rollers
Board and Batten Installation in 8 Steps
You can install board and batten on a particular wall using the following few steps.
Step 1: Measure the height of the wall and mark the desired height for the board and batten.
Step 2: Cut the boards to size and paint or stain them as desired.
Step 3: Install a horizontal board (the “baseboard”) at the bottom of the wall using a level to ensure it’s straight. Use nails or screws to attach it to the wall.
Step 4: Cut the vertical boards (the “battens”) to size and space them evenly along the wall. Common spacing is 16 inches apart.
Step 5: Attach the battens to the wall using a level to ensure they’re straight. Use nails or screws to attach them to both the baseboard and the wall studs.
Step 6: Once all the battens are attached, install a horizontal board (the “top rail”) at the top of the wall, using a level to ensure it’s straight.
Step 7: Fill any nail or screw holes with wood filler and sand them smoothly.
Step 8: Paint or stain the board and batten it as desired.
Note: Depending on the size of the room, you may need to adjust the height and spacing of the board and batten to ensure it looks proportionate.
FAQs on 17 Board and Batten Wall Ideas
What kind of wood do you use for board and batten walls?
Cedar, redwood, pine, cypress, and vinyl are some of the materials that you can use to install a board and batten wall. Of all these, cedar is the best because it’s strong and durable.
What rooms are best for board and batten?
Board and batten siding can be used in the bedroom, bathroom, dining room, kitchen, living room, or exterior walls. Personally, I love it when board and batten paneling is done in the headboard wall of the bedroom
What is the main disadvantage of batten boards?
The main downside of batten boards is that they can catch fire. Unlike other wall paneling materials tiles and cement, batten boards are not resistant to fire.
Note: you can fireproof your batten walls by painting them with fire-resistant paint.
Conclusion on Board and Batten Wall Ideas
If you don’t like the look of the walls of your home, you should give board and batten a try. And the best part is that you can install the pattern on the walls of your interior room or the exterior of your house.
Embark on a DIY board and batten installation project if you’re a DIY enthusiast. Or you can have board and batten installed in a small room first. If you like the look, you can do the rest of the walls.
You may also like the following ideas:
19 Incredible Loft Bed Ideas for Low Ceiling
17 Inexpensive Porch Ceiling Ideas for an Adorable Porch Experience
Otherwise, I wish you the best of luck!
Xoxo!
