How to Install Beadboard Paneling

Come see how we transformed our entryway with classic, timeless beadboard paneling!

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As promised, I am going to share everything we know about how to install beadboard paneling. We have installed beadboard in several places throughout our home, but this is the first time we have ever gone floor to ceiling with it! 

For our entryway, we used about 5 sheets of beadboard. That may seem like a lot for such a small space, but due to all the weird cuts and odd shapes (like our round door), we went through a lot more than we had anticipated. 

We purchased our beadboard at Menards, and I want to point out that not all beadboard paneling is the same. 

When we went through the three sheets we had purchased from Menards, we had to purchase a few extra sheets from our local lumber yard. Both the lines and thickness of the boards were not the same, and while that really bothered me at first, we really had no other choice (apart from waiting a few more weeks until we made another trip to the city, which I did not want to do). 

The project was taking long enough, and from far away you really can’t tell that there’s a difference between the boards. So I let it go and we used both variations, but it’s just something to keep in mind. 

How to Install Beadboard Paneling – Materials Needed

• Measuring Tape
• Pencil
• 1 1/4 Inch Brad Nails
• 4×8 sheets of beadboard
• Chop Saw
• Brad Nailer
• Air Compresser
• 1 1/2 inch Brad Nails
• Jigsaw
• 4 ft Level
• Latex Caulk
• Lightweight Spackle

How to Install Beadboard Paneling – Measure and Cut

First of all, make sure all of your cuts are parallel to the lines on the beadbaord panels. In other words, don’t ever cut across your lines horizontally unless that is where your stopping point is (ceiling, molding, etc.). 

We live in a 90 year old home, so nothing in this house is straight or level. When my husband went to cut a piece for a specific area, he measured from corner to corner in that area and used his straight edge to mark the line between each point so he knew where to cut. 

He used a jig saw to cut the beadboard.

How to Install Beadboard Paneling – Attach the Beadboard

After each piece was cut out, we attached it to the wall. Don’t be upset if your piece doesn’t fit the first time after cutting it; that happened to us numerous times! My husband used 1 1/4 Brad Nails and his nail gun to attach the panels. He put nails in every corner of each piece he hung as well as along the seams. For longer pieces, he used more nails. 

How to Work Around the Stairs

Our stairs were a bit tricky. Since we didn’t have a skirt board, we had to create a faux one using lattice trim. We chose to angle it parallel with the stair railing, about 10.5 inches up from each stair.

My husband used his nail gun to attach it, and then we simply painted the trim and all the wall underneath of it white. 

For the panels above the lattice, my husband followed the same directions that I shared in step one. He measured from the top to the bottom on each side of the space he was cutting a panel for, then used a straight edge to connect the dots, draw lines and cut. 

How to Cut around Tricky Spots

For odd areas like our round door, we had to create a pattern using some tracing paper. I taped the tracing paper to the wall and used a pencil to draw my shape. Then, I cut my shape out of the paper and traced it once more on to some cardboard. 

For cutting around areas like the switch plates and fixtures, my husband measured from the top of the area he was cutting a panel for to the top of where the opening needed to be, then used that measurement to mark the lines on his panel for cutting.

Beadboard Paneling – Trimming it Out

Once all of the breadboard is hung, we like to use trim to give it a more finished look. Our baseboards were already there, but for the ceiling we chose some simple quarter round. 

Once again, my husband attached the trim using his nail gun and 1 1/4 inch nails. 

We also added some new trim around the entry opening, I can’t wait to share a full tutorial on that very soon! 🙂

Beadboard Paneling – Finish Work

After all the beadboard and trim was hung, it was time for the finish work. This is where I step in. We have a little saying around here – “do your best and caulk the rest.” Ha!

I make sure to caulk all of the seams between panels and trim, and I also use spackling to fill all of the nail holes. 

Once everything is caulked and filled, it’s time for paint. 

Beadboard Paneling – Paint and Decor

I use this brush for cutting in, it’s my favorite brush of all time. I usually start by cutting in and then I follow up immediately with rolling using a 3/8 inch roller cover. I chose to use an eggshell finish that wasn’t too shiny, but still wipeable. 

After everything is painted and dry, it’s time for the fun part. Decorating! 

We hung new light fixtures as well as some fun number hooks I got from Marshall’s. I just love the way this space came together. You can see the full tour here! 

I hope I covered everything! Do you have any more questions about how to install beadboard paneling? Let me know in the comments below! 🙂

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