DIY Modern Board and Batten Wall

Before: This little boys room was ready to be turned into a family work out room. We moved all the furniture out and grabbed our supplies for the new accent wall.

For this wall I used about 12 1×3 primed MDF boards (8 feet long) that cost about $5 a piece, sold at Home Depot. I used brad nails to install into the studs. Find your wall studs and create a horizontal line on the wall for each stud so you can tell where the studs are throughout the process.

You will create any design you desire using these boards. I wanted to create a Modern Board and Batten Wall that I had seen on the blog Plank and Pillow. The tutorial the Henry and Brooke wrote is so easy to follow and super helpful.

I created my pattern that was similar to Henry’s at Plank and Pillow. The basic principal is to start with a large line somewhere in the center and work off from it, with 45 degree angle cuts. I spaced my boards about 20 inches apart. Before nailing to the wall I made sure to find the studs I had marked so the nails were secure. I also used a level to ensure the horizontal pieces were straight. 

I filled in the nail holes, let dry, and then sanded them down before I started to paint. I also like to wipe down my wall with a microfiber rag before I get ready to paint to make sure it is clean and free of dust. You can caulk the edges but I chose not too.

I cleaned up the room and prepped it for painting.

Use a paint that is paint and primer in one, and only requires one coat. You can be generous with the paint as you roll it on with the Purdy rollers. I started with the boards first and then filled in the sections.

This Blue Endeavour (HGSW1451) color from HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams really turned out beautifully. Once it dried completely I was so smitten by how subtle the color was, but how it added such a beautiful statement. It was exactly what I had wanted.

We installed the workout equipment we received from  and everything fell into place. I then finished decorating the room and absolutely loved the final product! This place is now a spacious work out room that has such beautiful colors in it.