How to Create a Reclaimed Barn Wood Accent Wall: A DIY Tutorial

A wood accent wall is definitely becoming more and more popular nowadays. What’s really great is to get the look is now easier than ever! I’ve seen a lot of tutorials online using everything from real wood to vinyl flooring. In our own basement bathroom I used pallet wood and, though it didn’t come out perfect, we still like it a lot! And, because its in our basement, we’re going to keep it because of its uniqueness and character.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

One of the best ways to add a warm and rich texture to any room is to add a wood accent wall. I love the rustic look of reclaimed barn wood and wanted to incorporate it into my house. I discovered Plank It Wallscapes by Outwater: ecofriendly polyurethane planks that replicate weathered wood planks. I was impressed by the deep wood grain patterns, grooves, and textures that make them indistinguishable from real lumber. The acrylic finish was beautiful, too.

I was a bit hesitant about the installation process, but it ended up being a fun quarantine activity. The installation process was simple, inexpensive, and rewarding. Anyone with basic woodworking skills can complete this DIY project in one weekend, and if you’re new to projects like these, don’t worry, you can do it too! Get your tools ready, and let your imagination run wild. Whether it’s your bedroom, bathroom, laundry room, entryway, or dining room, there’s no limit to what you can do.

For this project, we are going to use Plank It. The beauty of Plank It is that it’s breathtakingly beautiful, easy to handle and install, and no two planks look the same. More information on the product can be found here.

Additionally, I was curious about the benefits of using synthetic material, as opposed to wood, and learned that it is easier to handle, resistant to termites, easy to clean, and is Class A Fire Rated. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase and final product!

DIY Plank It Accent Wall Installation Guide

Supplies Needed:

• Hammer
• Hand Saw
• Tape Measure
• Level
• Triangle
• Adhesive Gun
• Chalk Line
• Step Ladder

Note: you can substitute the above tools with power tools if available. 

Step 1: Pre-Stage Your Planks by Size

The first thing you want to do is to unpack your planks and lay them out close to your project area. We urge you to do this so that you can ensure a good color variation in each plank that you install.

Also, you want to wait about 24 hours before starting installation. This allows the planks to acclimate to room temperature.

Step 2: Level the First Row

The next step is to level the first row. You want to use a level in conjunction with a chalk line so that the first row stays level as you glue it to the wall.

Make sure that the first row is straight and firm. It’s important that the first row remains straight as it will affect all other planks that come after it.

Step 3: Stagger the Planks

You may want to alternate the length of each plank to give your accent wall an authentic and realistic appearance that compliments the texture of the planks.

The first thing you want to do is to take your tape measure and mark the perfect length for each plank for your wood accent wall. Next, you want to cut down each plank according to its length.

Make sure that all your measurements and cuts are precise. Straight lines and clean cuts are key to having an amazing DIY accent wall that looks professionally done.

Step 4: Mark Outlet Location

If there are electrical outlets or switches on the wall, then you will need to make cut-outs on your planks to accommodate them. It may seem like a daunting task but it’s as easy as pie.

Once you’ve reached the outlet location, you want to make sure you measure it precisely to see where it lands on your plank. Once you have identified the precise location, go ahead and make a cutout.

Once you’ve made the cutout, test it on the wall and see if it fits. Don’t install the plank on the wall before measuring the exact location of the outlet.

Step 5: Attach Planks Using Construction Adhesive

This is the last and easiest step in the whole process. We recommend that you utilize construction adhesive such as PL Premium of F26.

Also, it’s a better idea to use crown staples or pin nails to hold the planks in place until the adhesive sets.

Notice the size of the nails you are using. The bigger the nail, the more likely that it will be visible.

There you have it! It’s such a simple DIY project with amazing results.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)