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How to Use Beadboard Wallpaper

January 19, 2014 By Rhoda 668 Comments

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Way back in 2009, I discovered this wonderful beadboard wallpaper (can’t believe it’s been 5 years now!)  and I’ve been using it and writing about it on my blog since then.  I’ve share several tutorials about it over the years and still love it.  When people come into my house, I show them the beadboard wallpaper and of course, they want to pet it and see how it feels.  Their mouths drop open as they realize that yes, it’s PAPER!  But, it looks so real.  I love how easy it is to use. You don’t have to remove existing baseboards, just install right on top.  The best way to make it all look the most real is to add chunky molding on top of it and I’ve done this in several ways.  My most favorite way of adding the molding is the way we did it in my current house.

I’ll show you several of the rooms I’ve used it in up to now and then show off my rooms in this house that use beadboard wallpaper.  My favorite brand is out of England, called Graham Brown and almost 3 years ago, I asked them if I could sell it for them and they said yes! I’ve sent them lots of business over the last couple of years and I make a small commission off my sales.  My blog gets lots of traffic from beadboard wallpaper.

Now keep this in mind:  It is paper and will tear and dent under rough circumstances, so be aware of that when you are thinking about where to use it.  It’s still paper and subject to damage if there are rowdy kids or animals around.  Under normal circumstances in my house, I haven’t had any problem with dinging it, but it can happen. Just wanted to mention that too!

beadboard wallpaper

When you find something that works, you just have to spread the word and that’s what I’ve been doing since 2009.  My very first project with this fun paper was my old kitchen in Birmingham.  The ends of my kitchen and bathroom cabinets were just plain white, so I added beadboard wallpaper to them along with molding trim and loved the result. You can read that entire tutorial on the kitchen cabinets.

Beadboard-wallpaper

Next, I moved on to using it on one wall in a guestbath in that old house and it added some fun architectural interest to the otherwise plain wall. You can see that project here.  I used a standard chairrail molding on that first space.

Beadboard collage

Lastly, I moved on to the masterbath in that old Birmingham house, which if you’ve been reading my blog awhile, it was navy blue and white and the beadboard wallpaper really took the water closet up a notch in that space.  You can see from the collage below the incredible transformation the wallpaper and chairrail had in the room.  Start at that first little pic in the top right corner and follow it down and over to see the After project.  You can see that entire post here too.  It was beadboard wallpaper and simple moldings added, then all painted semi-gloss white like the trim.

Remember, you have to paint it and that’s what really makes it look real and it’s a LOT of bang for the buck!

IMG_5738

When I moved back here and took on some projects at my parents house, we added beadboard wallpaper to both of their bathrooms.  It’s all the same process:  Cut, paste, add molding and paint.  Simple, yet SO effective for adding much needed architectural detail. 

Many of you have been buying this great stuff from my Southern Hospitality online shop over the past 2 1/2 years and I thank you for that!

I still love the stuff and continue to talk about it and tell all my friends about it.  As of 1/31/17, I decided to discontinue my beadboard wallpaper shop. Thanks for supporting it for 5 years! 

vanity area

I wanted to take the time to show up close and personal how I’ve used it in my current house.  This 1979 home needed some architectural details for sure, lots of plain walls.  So, I added it to the nook in my master bedroom, to define that space and make it look better and it really does!  I opted to take it up about 2/3 the wall and added chunky 1×6 pine boards on top, all painted out glossy white to match my trim.  We also ripped a small 1” board for the very top that accents the chunky board and makes a little ledge.

beadboard wallpaper

This is my favorite way so far that I’ve used to trim out this wallpaper. I love the chunky boards and the little ledge on top.

beadboard wallpaper 2

It wraps around my little vanity area and makes it feel special.  We also added a 1” board to the outside wall where it meets the other walls in the bedroom, just to define and stop the wallpaper at the corners.

molding on top of beadboard

Here you can see the close up of the boards and how we added them. These were put up with my nailgun and all painted semi-gloss white trim paint. Don’t forget to caulk any seams on the molding.

1x6 molding

Beadboard with trim boards on top.

guest bath

In my guestbath, I opted to just do one wall to add interest in here and it really does do the trick.  Adding that chunky 1×6 board and adding 3 satin nickel hooks makes this bathroom functional and pretty.

master bath

It’s hard to take pics in my master bath without it all blowing out from the lights, but I also added it behind this cabinet to the floor and cut around the vanity. Then, once this vintage cabinet was in place, I cut those chunky boards once again to fit on either side. It really anchors this old piece and works well in here.

tv cabinet

This is a dresser I found at an antique mall that I repurposed for my entertainment center in my bedroom a few years ago.  Adding beadboard wallpaper to the door really makes this piece look a little more special.

door inset with beadboard

Simple and easy to install inside a door or drawer for added interest.  Paint it all out and you’re done!

So, I hope this got you inspired to maybe try some of this around your house. I can’t speak highly enough of this wonderful beadboard wallpaper.  Wish I had a few more spots to use it!

Graham Brown Beadboard wallpaper

In the meantime, I had a return from my shop of 3 rolls of wallpaper (changed her mind on it due to time constraints) and I had her send them to me at my house, so I’m holding 3 rolls and would love the chance for 3 of you to try it out too.

All you have to do is tell me where YOU would like to try this fun beadboard wallpaper?  What room in your house needs a little architectural detail?  One roll will go pretty far, like it will do a small powder room or one wall in a bathroom, so one roll really does do a lot.

Leave a comment and follow the Rafflecopter widget for more entries and I’ll choose 3 winners at the end of the giveaway and you will each receive ONE ROLL! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Filed Under: Decorating Ideas, Giveaway, Projects and How-To 668 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cindy says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:16 pm

    I think it would look great in my bathrooms.

    Reply
  2. Belinda Silva says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:19 pm

    I would love to use this in my laundry room and bathroom for sure!

    Reply
  3. Esther says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:20 pm

    I have used it and love it. I would use it on the back of my kitchen cabinet that has glass doors.

    Reply
  4. Kelley @ Miss Information Blog says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:21 pm

    I know it sounds boring buy I would love it in my guest bath and put a picture ledge on the top

    Reply
  5. Tyi says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:26 pm

    I think beadboard wallpaper will be perfect in my downstairs bathroom which I have decorated in a sailing/ocean theme.

    Reply
  6. phyllis henry says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    Oh, I have so many projects in mind. I’d start in the guest bath and just keep moving!

    Reply
  7. Judith says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    I would use it in my laundry room to take it up a level and maybe as a backsplash in the kitchen.

    Reply
  8. Jennifer says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    I would love it in my kid’s bathroom!

    Reply
  9. Sherri Farrell says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    I’d love to use it my master bathroom!!!! Or master bedroom!!! Or laundry room!!! You’ve got my creative juices flowing!!!

    Reply
  10. Vicki says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    I think it would look great in one of the bathrooms!

    Reply
  11. Sherri says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:35 pm

    OH! I would love to start my bathroom project with this lovely wallpaper! Our home had the traditional contractor wall paper on the walls in the bathroom, and when I took it off, I found that the walls had never been sanded down or primed. I’m not good.at.all when it comes to finishing walls like that, because painting them would show the flaws at eye level when sitting down…if you know what I mean! I just can’t get inspired past the wall issue, but winning a roll of this wonderful wallpaper might just jumpstart those creative ideas I need to finish this project!

    Reply
  12. Denise says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:36 pm

    Your floors are pretty & you make things look easy!

    Reply
  13. Phyllis Bell says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:36 pm

    I just finished redecorating my 1/2 bath and I would use the wallpaper in there. I love it! It is exactly the finishing touch that the small area needs. I have always wanted a seascape themed bath and I think the ‘cottage’ look of the bead board wallpaper would be perfect. I love the idea of painting it white and specifically using it on the vanity (I’m not pleased with how the current paint job turned out).
    Thank you! Love you site!

    Reply
  14. Belinda says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    I’d like to use it to perk up my laundry room.

    Reply
  15. Smoore says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    I would love to use it in my Moms house in her bathroom. Its so pretty and easy to use.

    Reply
  16. Susanne says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:50 pm

    I would use it in my bathroom. Thank you so much for the giveaway.

    Reply
  17. Tammi Mitchell says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:52 pm

    Hallway! It’s been half painted for years…I was in car accident,broke an arm…since then…..it’s like we are walking blind down the hall! No one wants to acknowledge the job needs to be completed!

    Reply
  18. joyce says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    My Mom passed away one and a half years ago. Something I got to bring home from her kitchen was a vintagey probably 1950’s cabinet with a metal top. I was thinking of doing beadboard on the sides of it, but this wallpaper looks just as nice and would be so much easier for me to do! Thanks for the chance to try it Rhoda!

    Reply
  19. Shelley Hudnall says

    January 19, 2014 at 8:03 pm

    Having a new to me house, I can see multiple places this would be usefully; especially in the kitchen!

    Reply
  20. Arli says

    January 19, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    I would add it to a wall in my bathroom!

    Reply
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Thanks for stopping by! I'm Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn't have to cost a fortune and I've spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I'm here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won't you join me?

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