Square Board and Batten Wall Treatment and Master Bedroom Makeover

This post is in collaboration with 3MDIY.com. All thoughts, opinions and projects ideas are my own. 

I feel like I say "Bedroom Makeover" more than any homeowner should :) But that's what happens when you like to change things up and get bored quickly. My last makeover was just a little step to get it to where it is now since apparently new bedding, lamps, and a rug only kept me happy for a few months.

I was toying with the idea of doing something to the far wall for years now, but never quite decided what I wanted. That's why it took years :) I had like a gazillion ideas in my head and not one that I wanted more than the other. Well, there was one...a planked wall with real 12" boards which was going to cost over $300. So, of course, that was not going to happen...although I did measure out for it and was sooo super close to doing it :) But, my cheapness won lol. The next few ideas were board and batten type ideas, either go vertical or horizontal. Couldn't decide. So I did both :)

My bedroom from a year ago seems sooo distant in style now compared to this one. It feels like it was lacking design, where this one has a ton of it. And now it feels like a complete sanctuary. A few elements obviously went in to creating the difference: the mirrors, the new lamps, the headboard, and of course, the wall.

I was so happy that 3M DIY wanted to partner up with me again to help create this wall. Here is the tutorial!

Supplies needed:
3M™ Safety Products (Safety Glasses, Respirator and Ear plugs)
Building Materials:
Boards of MDF found in molding aisle (enough that will create the height you need and width you need along with the amount of columns/rows you want) I used 3.5" MDF.
Decorative molding that will fit your baseboards and MDF (see below for explanation)
Paint
ScotchBlue™ Painter's Tape
 ScotchBlue Drop Cloth
Measuring tape
Nail gun (or hammer and nails if you dare)
Level
Stud finder
3M SandBlaster Sandpaper from 3M™ Advanced Abrasives
3M™ Patch plus primer
White caulk

The list seems long, but don't be intimidated :) It's really easy!

Step 1: Paint the wall. My room has vaulted ceilings. So, I decided to paint up to the break point of the other two walls. I used ScotchBlue Painter's Tape  on the top, sides and just above the molding and the ScotchBlue Drop Cloth to protect the carpet because truth is, I'm a mess when painting ;) You can paint before or after, but I chose before since I know how much of a pain it is to try to paint into a ton of corners. I used about 3 coats on my wall. To get a good straight line when painting half a wall, use a laser level and line your tape up on the laser.

Step 2: Measure where you want your boards. I wanted to three rows and three columns. So, I divided my wall up by 3rds both vertically and horizontally (not including baseboards) to get my marks.

Step 3: Lay down your decorative molding, upside down, onto your baseboards. Why you ask? Well, first off, it gives you chunkier baseboards...who doesn't want that? And secondly (the main reason), most MDF will be thicker than the top of your current baseboards so unless you want to rip out your current baseboards, this is an easy trick to make it look good and not have an overhang.
See exhibit 1, MDF straight on baseboard with ugly overhang:

Exhibit 2, MDF on top of upside down decorative molding on top of baseboard. Beautiful:

 Step 4: Place your top piece of MDF horizontally across the wall if you don't have vaulted ceilings. If you do have vaulted ceilings, I didn't do this until step 6 below.

Step 5: Place your vertical pieces of MDF on the wall first using nail gun, safety glasses, and ear plugs..oh, and level of course :) Make sure it's level! I started with the two end pieces:

Found, measured and marked where I needed the other two pieces, and nailed them up there.

Now, this would be great if you did this so each of these pieces go into a stud, but more than likely they won't. So, if you are worried, you can always liquid nail these to the wall also.

Step 6: Place the very top piece of MDF on top of the vertical pieces you just secured. It should be level, but it's always good to make sure :) Now secure into the wall in each stud.

Step 7: Measure and cut the length of horizontal slats you need. Be sure to use your safety glasses and respirator mask for safety. Make sure to measure each piece separately just in case your measurements were just a little off or your MDF is just a tad bit off level. Better be safe than sorry and have all too short pieces, right? :)

Step 8: Now place your horizontal slats at the marks where you divided your wall and secure into place. Make sure they are level.

Step 9: Fill in all the nail holes and seams with 3M Patch Plus Primer. FYI guys, not just cuz this is a 3M product, but this stuff works! It's amazing; I use this stuff on everything.

Step 10: Once the patches are dry, sand a way. I used 3M SandBlaster Sandpaper in 180 grit from 3M Advanced Abrasives. 

Step 11: Use the painter's tape to once again protect your adjacent walls and ceiling. Paint the MDF and if you feel the need, paint the walls again also to make more cohesive.

Step 12: Caulk the sides and ceilings. You'll notice that your walls may not be as perfect as you had wished and bow a little, or your ceiling slumps a little. This will take care of those nasty gaps you see. You can see in the below picture the gap on top...ugh...and the part that is caulked on the bottom:

Much better, yes? You can also do this to any of the other gaps you may notice throughout your wall. I would have done it more to mine, but after doing just one column, my hands were hurting like heck. So, I figured, within time :)

I was able to paint this with one gallon of paint ($25),  9 MDF boards ($54) and 1.5 pieces of decorative molding ($9). All for a grande total of  $88. This covered a wall that is 9' high and 12.5' wide.

I think it is worth the price for the amount of change it has brought to the room. I always say this, but I wish I had done this sooner. It made such a big difference.
 
You may or may not remember, but here's the before of our bedroom when we first moved in:

Yeah yeah...eww :) lol. Amazing what a little time and patience and a thrifty nickle will get you huh? (and don't even ask why I have fake flowers on the headboard lol)

I think the total cost of this room makeover, from 5 years ago to this is:
Wall: $88
Headboard: $25
Lamps: $50
Bedding: A gift but was $99
Chairs: $10
Table: $20
Rug: $149
End tables and dresser: Free
Curtains: $30
Sunburst Mirrors: $20
Accessories: $15 Mostly used from other rooms in house
Pillows: Also just reused from other parts of house.

So, just about $500 room makeover to take it from ewww and dark to nice and serene :) Plus, find a cheaper or smaller rug...or no rug and that brings it down to $350. Much more manageable in my eyes.

I didn't realized how beige these walls were and how they really darkened the room until I put this new wall in. Makes me want to paint the ceiling too :) Who paints the ceiling the same color as the walls? Ugh, it drives me nuts! lol ..and 20 foot ceilings are not the easiest things to paint.

Before, just a few months ago with the beige walls:
And after:

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I am proud to be a 3M- sponsored blogger, and, as part of my responsibilities, I get the opportunity to evaluate products from 3M DIY. Opinions are my own and additional product used in the project were selected by me.

 Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”