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We are so excited to share the step-by-step guide instructions for how to DIY a shaker panel accent wall in our client’s master bedroom. 

Wallpaper, shiplap, wainscoting, board & batten, or paint…we’re all about the accent walls, and whatever you choose to do, they are sure to make a statement. 

This is a twist on a board and batten, which means putting wood strips on your wall in a pattern or design! But we did it in a shaker style.

It’s an affordable way to give character to your home, add a focal point, and elevate your space. We’re all about adding wood paneling and elements to your rooms; whether adding wood plank ceilings, wainscoting, or this right here, we’re about to show you. And we have tutorials for all! 

This was such a fun, quick and easy project, and we’re excited to share the how-to behind the full shaker panel wall process so you can DIY it too. 

Gather Tools & Materials

First, you’ll want to ensure you have the right tools and materials to do this project. 

• 1 x 4 Select Pine (10 pcs at 12′)
• Finish nailer
• Miter Saw
• Level
• Caulk
• Wood glue
• Power sander
• Measuring tape
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Paint roller 
• Painter’s tape
• Drop Cloth

Measure Walls 

Then you’ll want to choose which wall you’re doing your accent piece on and measure the wall so you can figure out your complete wall design. Measure your walls from side to side and top to bottom. When doing the shaker-style design, the goal is to have every box perfectly square and all boxes measure the same.

Create your Design Plan

Once you know your measurements, it’s time to make your design plan. We used Chief Architect to sketch out this wall design.

And if you’re a visual person like us, you can also use SketchUp or Illustrator to mockup your design. Otherwise, a hand sketch will do just fine.  

We did 5 squares by 5 squares. This wall was 133″ wide and 108″ tall.

If your walls aren’t as tall, wide, or even larger, the number of horizontal and vertical boxes does not have to be the same. Here are the measurements for our wall design.

To figure out spacing, we took 133″ (the length of the wall) -21″ = 112″

We then divided that number by 5.
112″/5= 22.4.”

Which gives us the size for each space. 22.4″ 

• 133″ is the overall width
• 21″ is the 6 vertical boards multiplied by 3.5 (1×4, which is actually 3.5″ wide)
• 5 is the number of spaces we will have

Level & Plan

Get your level out and pencil in your design. We used a laser level, so Jamie could see the light and follow it perfectly along a straight line.

And then, he uses a hand level to pencil the lines in. He also uses that to trace along. 

Border Edges

Then, you’ll want to border your edges with the wood. The sides, bottom, and top will probably not be perfectly straight or level/plum.

To get yours level and plum, you can scrib, which just means to fit the woodwork to the wall or the ceiling, the boards to the wall or ceiling. Or if the gaps are too big, use caulk to fill the gaps. 

  

Secure Horizontal Boards in Place

Once your border edges are nailed in place, it’s time to hang your horizontal boards. Follow your pencil markings and hang and nail them into place.

Locate studs and nail them if possible for a more secure installation. We also placed wood glue on the ends and adhesive on all the boards’ backs to help hold them into place as Jamie moved and nailed along. He was a one-man show when doing this part of the process.   

Nail your Vertical Boards in Place

Once the horizontal boards were all in place, he moved on to cut, fill, and nail the vertical boards into place. Going off of the design plan, he knew the accurate measurement of the length of each board should be cut too.

However, he measured twice before running out into the garage, on the job site, to cut before putting it into place. And even though he still had his pencil lines to follow the design, he also had his laser level on to ensure accuracy. 

 

Sand

Once all of the boards are in place, it’s time to sand using an electric power sander. This ensures a smooth-to-the-touch finish for your shaker panel wall. 

Caulk

Once you’re done sanding, it’s time to caulk. Caulk around every square inside and out. You’ll want to fill that space wherever the wood touches the wall. This fills in any gapping and will make the painting process much easier. 

Paint

And then get your painting on! For this statement wall, we painted it in Graphic Charcoal by Behr. 

We also have a few painting hacks, tutorials, guides, and all things paint for you on c2s. 

And ta-da!! So much better than before! Such a simple and perfect way to make a BIG difference and statement in any space. 

 

We can’t wait to see what you all come up with. Remember to tag @construction2style so we can see your incredible work and show you some love! 

https://construction2style.com/web-stories/how-to-diy-a-shaker-panel-wall/