One Weekend Project Idea: Wall Plank Installation

Posted by Iris M. on 20th Jun 2023

Every home has some form of wood detail that adds a sense of endurance and natural warmth. Wall planks have taken wood’s decorative trait to a higher level — complementing the existing wood structures or adding a touch of modern embellishment to a newly renovated room.

Wood has been an artistic component in home design for centuries. Today, wall planking is about blending texture and imagery with the latest colors and decorating patterns. Using wood for interior decors is the perfect weekend project for upgrading a room’s ambiance or simply changing its characteristic. Fitting the current trends toward casual shapes and surface finishes are wall plank designs.

As a DIY project, it offers easy installation on an affordable budget for every living space in the house. We carry extensive lines of flooring products that can be used for wall plank decorating such as hardwood, laminate, vinyl plank and wood look porcelain.

Accent Wall Planks

Wall planks come in a variety of designs – there’s a style for every lifestyle, imagination and budget, each one adding some depth and texture to a smooth or uninteresting wall.

Whether this is your first DIY project or you’re a seasoned weekend warrior – the material is prefabricated to make the entire process stress-free. Even better, the planks are low maintenance and offer endurance – you can enjoy your handiwork for years to come.

Rustic barn wood patterns offer a rural allure with weathered tones – perfect for adding character and dimension to any room. Mix the colors and textures for a more dramatic wall effect.
Darker formal hardwoods are classics matching the modern family dynamics. Add the finishing touches of moldings and wall borders for traditional charm.
Consider whitewashing with a cottage white effect for simplicity and an old-fashioned elegance.
Contemporary trends include soft gray combinations for a more cooling and tranquil appearance.
Warm wood tones of acacia or walnut visually enlarge the space, making the room appear more spacious and inviting.

Wall Plank Decor

Create your own individual style matched to the home’s personality. Each wall plank has unique markings, natural contrasting colors and grain variations. Choose from interlocking designs or peel-and-stick strips. Deco mat sheets support the mosaic designs for easy handling – ready to stick to a cleaned and prepared wall.

Pick your wall design among these trendy layouts. If you are inserting short cuts, be sure to finish the edges for a smooth and seamless connection. The key to a symmetrical finish is deciding whether the pattern will run across the wall or up and down.

Consider a framed effect outlining the herringbone or the mosaic arrangements with matching or contrasting wall planks. Staggering the planks is the most popular design because the layout adjusts to different plank sizes, patterns or colors without difficulty.

Horizontal
Verticals
Staggered
Mosaic
Herringbone

Installation Tools

Safety is about following the rules and taking precautions to get the job done – always wear the proper clothing and gear – avoid taking shortcuts or substituting tools.

Hammer and nails
Level
Screwdriver
Tape measure
Utility knife

Installation of Wall Planks

Covering the floor with plastic sheeting makes the cleanup easier. Read the plank material labels to make sure you have all the supplies needed to finish the project. Do a sketch of the layout you have in mind. Remember, not all wall spaces are perfectly leveled or squared – measure the entire wall space. You need the square feet measurement (length and width) to calculate the amount of material required to cover the surface. It's a safety precaution to make sure you have the right amount of planking for the job.

Turn off the power, remove the cover plate, nails or hanging metal from the wall.
Establish the wall’s center point by measuring from the top of the molding, floor or carpet.
Measure and mark the starting point at the center of the wall. Place the level at the mark and draw a horizontal line across the wall.

Plank Positioning

The plank material is lightweight, easy to handle and ready to set into place.

Place the first plank above the line mark; follow with the second plank below the line at the midpoint of the first plank – it creates a staggered pattern.
Stack from the middle upward and repeat the pattern downward.
Measure and cut the planks to fit the wall edges, outlet or air vent openings and molding edges.

Artistry tips for a decorative finish:

Place the first plank in the center of the wall – it marries the other plank placements.
Measure and precut the outlet openings – replace the covers after finishing the plank installation.
Soften the adjacent corner walls with end caps.

Conclusion

Redecorating or renovating your home allows you to add a personal touch. These small custom changes add aesthetic improvements to any room. When selecting a wall plank material, don't forget the other elements in the room – accent pieces, furniture, the layout and the lighting.

About The Author

Iris M. writes blog content for real estate; research, region and community information for the purpose of providing information to the reader, helping them with decisions when selecting a home. She writes content on a variety of subjects, pertaining to client specifics, industry related, research and informative studies, including "how to" for mass market and social media.

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