How to Create an Accent Wall That Wows!

About the Author

I’m Hana from @hanashappyhome. I’m a design and DIY blogger committed to showing you the REAL side of DIY. In my most recent DIY project, I made it my mission to add some dimensional feature to our simple powder room — so what better way than doing a DIY accent wall?!

Some backstory on me: I’m currently on maternity leave DIY-ing with power tools, crafting and occasionally diffusing tantrums. I learned how to use power tools growing up with my dad. I’ve built a fence, installed french doors, tiled our backsplash, installed laminate floors, and more! My passion is to empower and inspire Muslim women to learn how to build. I’m not afraid to take a risk and learn how to use a new tool (and make many mistakes along the way!).

Follow along on my projects @hanashappyhome and check out my blog hanashappy.home.blog.

Let’s Get Building!

What you need

• Wood trim of your choice (I used 1×2 primed MDF)
• Saw
• Measuring tape
• Level
• Painters tape
• ScotchBLUE Pre-taped Painter’s Plastic and cutter
• Nail gun and 2 inch nails
• Sprayer and paint of your choice
• Caulk and caulk gun
• Wood filler
• Primer, small roller and foam brush

STEP ONE

Map out your design on the wall using painters tape. Yes, this is a tedious task, but it will set the basis for the entire project.

STEP TWO

Measure the length of each edge of the square.

STEP THREE

Using the miter function, cut each piece of wood. Only cut a few pieces of wood and nail them because some measurements may be off. Be sure to label each piece of wood A, B, C, to correspond with your diagram. Otherwise, you can get mixed up with which piece fits in which space.

STEP FOUR

When you begin nailing the wood trim, nail to adjacent pieces already on the wall. Do not nail any floating pieces that do not touch another piece of trim.

STEP FIVE

Once the design is complete, fill all the miter edges with wood filler. I recommend using your fingers as you can control the filler better

STEP SIX

After the wood filler is dry, sand down the edges. I used an electric sanding machine. Clean all the dust from sanding.

STEP SEVEN

Caulk all edges where the wood trim meets the wall. Use a small bead of caulk, and be sure to wipe off excess with a wet finger

STEP EIGHT

Re-prime the MDF. This isn’t a must-do, but the paint will go on much more evenly if you do 2 coats of primer. Honestly, I worked so hard on the wood trim design that I didn’t want to take any shortcuts on the finishing touches.

STEP NINE

Tape your wall. If you opt to use a sprayer, spend the extra $5 and purchase the ScotchBlue Painters tape with the plastic attached. It’s 4 feet of plastic attached to the painter’s tape and it sticks to your furniture and tiles to protect them. It’s amazing!

STEP TEN

Paint your wall. I used a sprayer, but I had to use a roller and brush beside the toilet and vanity. A sprayer is better for open walls with no obstructions in front of them. Next time, I would probably paint the wall first and give it a final coat with the sprayer for an even finish.

STEP ELEVEN

Proudly show off your new wall and be sure to tag me so I can admire it!

Closing Thoughts…

I LOVE this DIY accent wall. This was my first time doing a board and batten wall. Although I picked a high traffic area (the powder room), it was a small wall. I’m glad I started with a small space as I learned a lot for my next board and batten wall.

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