Looking for board and batten wall ideas? I’m sharing my favorites, including the one I used in my own home…
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I love board and batten walls because they’re one of the easiest ways to add architectural interest to a room. I’ve installed all sorts of wall paneling in my homes in the past, including picture frame molding, chair rails, and yes, board and batten, and I find board and batten to be the easiest.
Installing it in our entryway, above, took my husband and I a few hours on a Sunday.
Not only that, but board and batten looks great, too! As I mentioned, board and batten (and all wall paneling, in general) instantly adds architectural detail and character to a room, making it feel more interesting and special.
While board and batten walls are often linked to farmhouse-style design, I actually find them to be suitable for all sorts of home styles. My house is an old colonial, and my style leans more traditional, and I think the board and batten in our entryway fits perfectly.
If you’re considering adding board and batten to a room in your house, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite board and batten wall ideas, including the style I went with in my home. I’ve found images that represent all sorts of styles and use-cases to show just how versatile this trendy trim can be!
Contents hide
1Board and batten wall ideas
1.11. Board and batten with a traditional twist
1.22. Add hooks for a functional board and batten entryway
1.33. Add wallpaper to a board and batten wall
1.44. Paint above your board and batten
1.55. Or paint the board and batten itself
1.66. Go monochrome
1.77. Use the idea as a kids room accent wall
1.88. Add beadboard between board and batten
1.99. Create a grid-like design
1.1010. Take it floor-to-ceiling
1.1111. Add a homey feeling in the basem*nt
2Is board and batten still in style?
Board and batten wall ideas
1. Board and batten with a traditional twist
This is the board and batten wall we did in our entryway. To make it suite the more traditional space, we added an extra piece of decorative picture rail molding long the top trim piece. Here’s a closer look at it before I painted it.
2. Add hooks for a functional board and batten entryway
One of the most popular ways to use board and batten is in an entryway or mudroom area, with hooks along the boards or battens for storage. This space does both for extra function.
3. Add wallpaper to a board and batten wall
My favorite board and batten idea, which you can probably see from the photo of my entryway, is to add wallpaper above the board and batten. I love this idea not only because it’s gorgeous, but it also makes your wallpaper go a lot further – you get a pop of pattern without having to spend the money to cover the whole wall.
Imagine the space above if the entire room was green. It would be cute, but not really memorable, right? The addition of the accent wall and wallpaper tie the entire space together and add interest.
4. Paint above your board and batten
There are a few choices when it comes to painting your board and batten wall. One is to paint above the board and batten, like the above. This works well if you have white trim throughout your home, and want the board and batten wall to feel seamless (i.e. if you’re doing a board and batten wall on only part of a wall to carve out an entry, for example.). It also works well if you just like this look!
5. Or paint the board and batten itself
The other option you have with board and batten is to paint the board and batten itself, and leave the top portion of the wall white.
To me, this look feels fresher and more modern, since the white-on-the-bottom look reminds me a little of the days when people would only paint above their chair rail, and leave the lower portion of the wall white. However, both are beautiful and it’s totally a personal style choice.
6. Go monochrome
If you love the look of all-white walls (like I do!), and want to add some interest, try a board and batten wall in all one color. It creates just enough visual interest to make white walls feel intentional.
7. Use the idea as a kids room accent wall
Adding detail to kids rooms is what makes them fun. I love a board and batten wall as a backdrop to a bed or crib, or done around the whole room like in the image above. Another great thing about board and batten in a kids room – as kids grow and their tastes change, you’ll only have to paint one half of the wall 🙂
8. Add beadboard between board and batten
If you want to double up on the detail, try adding beadboard paneling between the battens on your wall a la the above photo. This look works well for homes with a traditional twist, coastal spaces, or farmhouses.
9. Create a grid-like design
If your home is more modern, or you like to embrace trends, this grid-style take on board is batten is a trendy accent wall choice.
10. Take it floor-to-ceiling
There’s also the option to do a simple floor-to-ceiling board and batten treatment, which feels a little more unique, since it’s not quite as popular as th half-wall or 3/4 wall options. I LOVE what Anissa Zajac of House Seven Design did with these walls (just like I love all the things she does. Queen.).
11. Add a homey feeling in the basem*nt
The basem*nt in our Vermont log cabin is currently all white, which feels a little stark and not very cozy, so I’ve been thinking about adding board and batten for a while. Here’s the main inspo pic that made me want to do it!
Is board and batten still in style?
If you’re wondering if board and batten is still in style, the answer is yes. This farmhouse-inspired wall moulding gained major popularity over the last few years, along with it’s even trendier cousin, shiplap. But, despite being everywhere, board and batten paneling is still going strong.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or a home to share, but I can provide information and insights on board and batten walls. Board and batten walls are a popular architectural feature that can add visual interest and character to a room. They consist of vertical boards (the boards) with thin strips of wood (the battens) placed over the seams between the boards. This creates a textured and visually appealing wall surface.
Board and batten walls can be installed in various styles and can complement different home designs. They are often associated with farmhouse-style decor, but they can also work well in traditional, coastal, or modern interiors. The versatility of board and batten walls makes them a popular choice for many homeowners.
Here are some board and batten wall ideas that you might find inspiring:
1. Board and batten with a traditional twist
Adding decorative picture rail molding along the top trim piece of the board and batten wall can give it a more traditional look.
2. Add hooks for a functional board and batten entryway
Board and batten walls are commonly used in entryways or mudrooms, and adding hooks along the boards or battens can provide functional storage space.
3. Add wallpaper to a board and batten wall
To add a pop of pattern and visual interest, consider adding wallpaper above the board and batten. This can create a focal point and tie the entire space together.
4. Paint above your board and batten
One option for painting a board and batten wall is to paint above the board and batten, creating a seamless look. This works well if you have white trim throughout your home or if you prefer a cohesive appearance.
5. Or paint the board and batten itself
Alternatively, you can paint the board and batten itself and leave the top portion of the wall white. This can give the wall a fresher and more modern look.
6. Go monochrome
If you love the look of all-white walls, consider painting the board and batten wall in the same color as the rest of the walls. This can add subtle visual interest while maintaining a clean and cohesive aesthetic.
7. Use the idea as a kids room accent wall
Board and batten walls can be a great backdrop for kids' rooms. You can use them as an accent wall behind a bed or crib or extend them around the entire room.
8. Add beadboard between board and batten
For added detail and texture, consider incorporating beadboard paneling between the battens on your board and batten wall. This can work well in homes with a traditional or coastal style.
9. Create a grid-like design
If you prefer a more modern look, you can create a grid-style design with your board and batten wall. This trendy accent wall choice can add a contemporary touch to your space.
10. Take it floor-to-ceiling
Instead of the more common half-wall or 3/4 wall options, you can choose to extend the board and batten treatment from floor to ceiling. This can create a unique and eye-catching feature in your room.
11. Add a homey feeling in the basem*nt
If you have a basem*nt that feels stark or lacks coziness, adding a board and batten wall can help create a warm and inviting atmosphere. It can be a great way to transform the space and make it more comfortable.
Is board and batten still in style? Yes, board and batten walls are still in style. They have gained popularity in recent years, along with other wall paneling options like shiplap. Despite being a trendy choice, board and batten paneling continues to be a popular and versatile design element in many homes.
I hope these board and batten wall ideas inspire you to add architectural interest to your space! Let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with.
