This bonus room makeover seems to be never-ending because I keep finding cool things to try on Pinterest, like an interesting DIY board and batten feature wall. Oh yeah!!!!

Board and batten brings some detail to an otherwise blah wall. Since I’ve pretty much changed everything in the room, why not throw a few strategically placed boards up to add a little “WOW”.

Of course, I have been all over Pinterest looking at ideas that seem very intricate and expensive, meaning that it’s definitely not for a novice. However, I’m going to modify it to match my skill set and budget.

I knew I wanted to try a really dark wall with a little added dimension. We started by ripping a sheet of MDF in 3″ wide strips. I painted everything Benjamin Moore Mopboard Black and then I started to frame out the design.

Here are all the painted boards and I filled in the wall with the black paint.DIY board and batten walls for my bonus room makeover. Benjamin Moore Mopboard Black | Board and Batten | Wood trim detail

I tried to layout a design beforehand, but I couldn’t really figure out the size or how many squares would work.  Plus, I HATE to measure anything!!  I know, that’s not good but this is where my in-house contractor comes to the rescue.  We started out putting up the border and then filled in from there.

DIY board and batten walls for my bonus room makeover. Benjamin Moore Mopboard Black | Board and Batten | Wood trim detail

DIY board and batten walls for my bonus room makeover. Benjamin Moore Mopboard Black | Board and Batten | Wood trim detail

We framed it out and then I laid out a design that looks pretty nice to  me.

Dad really loves this nail gun.  I see a whole lotta wood putty in my future!!!DIY board and batten walls for my bonus room makeover. Benjamin Moore Mopboard Black | Board and Batten | Wood trim detailGot one side done! Tah-Dah!DIY board and batten walls for my bonus room makeover. Benjamin Moore Mopboard Black | Board and Batten | Wood trim detail

Loads of wood putty and caulk.

Here is the other side of the alcove.DIY board and batten walls for my bonus room makeover. Benjamin Moore Mopboard Black | Board and Batten | Wood trim detail

After days of mind numbing caulking/puttying, sanding and then several coats of paint wer were finished.  Here’s the completed board and batten walls in the alcove! Whew! This project took quite a bit longer than I thought, but it looks so good.  No more blah walls!

DIY board and batten walls for my bonus room makeover. Benjamin Moore Mopboard Black | Board and Batten | Wood trim detail | Before and after

Before

After

Update a Room with DIY Wood Trim | Board and Batten | Crown MoldingDIY Board and Batten | Update with Wood Trim | Benjamin Moore Mopboard Black | Black WallsDIY board and batten walls for my bonus room makeover. Benjamin Moore Mopboard Black | Board and Batten | Wood trim detail | Before and after

I’m still not sure if I’m going to make this a really comfy reading nook or an home office space.  There is still plenty of time to figure it out with all the rest of my Pinterest copycat projects to complete before I can call this room finished.

11 COMMENTS

    • Hi Kyla!
      Thanks for checking out my blog! Yes, I attached the MDF with a nail gun. MDF is pretty hard and dense, almost like working with wood. I’ve seen people use glue, but I might decide to take it down one day and prying out the nails won’t destroy the wall. I just used small finishing nails in my nail gun. Hope this helps and feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.

  1. Hi! What type of finish did you use for the paint? My husband seems to think it should be sprayed and not rolled on. Yours looks awesome!

    • Hi Jill! Thank you!!! I used flat paint in the end. The first coat was satin and I didn’t like it at all because it looked too flashy. I rolled the wall and sprayed the batten pieces, just because there were so many. MDF needs primer and then two coats paint, so that was a lot of rolling. You can really do it either way, it was just easier for me to spray them since the room was under construction at the time. Good luck and I know you’ll love your feature wall when it’s complete.

  2. Hi, your wall looks amazing and it inspired me to do one in my office. Could you please let me know if you used. caulk on the seams where the mdf intersects or if you used wood putty? I ended up using caulk and it doesn’t look as seamless as your end-product.

    • I used wood putty on the seams and caulk where the boards meet the wall. You can try to remove the caulk and replace with wood putty…then sand it. Sorry, I should have specified that.

  3. I have one word Sexy love love love board and batten but in black elevated to a whole new level it matches the modern barn doors in black which by the way you inspired me to make for my entry thank you for sharing

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