Foolproof Board and Batten

Today I’m going to show you how EASY and AFFORDABLE it is to create a beautiful statement in your space with this foolproof board and batten tutorial!

Hey friends! One of the things I am asked about all the time is the board and batten in sweet Caleb’s nursery. I’m finally taking the time to walk you through it step by step and show you just how simple it really was. 

Foolproof Board and Batten – Step 1

First, my husband nailed 1×4 pine boards horizontally,  78 inches up from the floor. He used his brad nailer, and you could also use Liquid Nails for extra adhesion.

NOTE – It is SO important to use a level during this first step! We live in an old house where both the walls and floors are rarely straight. The floors especially have settled over time, so while it’s still important to measure as a general guide, be sure to use your level as well. 5 feet from the floor in one area might be lower than 5 feet from the floor in another area.

The reason why the 1×4 is already painted in all these photos is because in my previous nursery design I had already asked my husband to complete this step. The 1×4 served as a perfect ledge for letters that spelled ‘Ethan’, and it also created a division for multiple colors.

When we refinished the nursery for our third baby boy, I knew I wanted board and batten. Rather than replacing the 1×4 trim, we decided to keep it and incorporate it into the plan. You could of course use a 1×2 or a 1×3, but we stuck with what was already there.

Foolproof Board and Batten – Step 2

Once your horizontal 1×4 is nailed in place, it’s time to add the vertical boards. We chose pine 1×2’s for this design and we spaced them 14 inches apart. We measured everything out ahead of time and marked each place where a board would go with a pencil.

Then we simply measured the distance between the bottom of the 1×4 and the top of the baseboards. Be sure you measure each and every space before you make your cuts. Some boards were a quarter inch shorter or longer depending on the floors. 

Foolproof Board and Batten – Step 3

After we nailed all our boards into place, I filled all the nail holes with spackling and caulked any gaps between the wood boards and the wall. 

Foolproof Board and Batten – Step 4

After the spackling and caulk was dry it was time to paint. I used “Cool Metalwork Grey” by Glidden and everything got two coats. 

And that’s it! So simple right? I chose a beautiful woodland wall paper for the space above the board and batten, and you can read about all the other details in the nursery design here. 

Do you love board and batten as much as I do? It goes so well with any style, I just love how classic it is. Thanks so much for stopping by today friends!

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