Oh yeah, I’ve been at it again with the beadboard wallpaper and have totally transformed that blah 70’s bath into a beautiful coastal inspired space. I had avocado tiles and an aqua laminate countertop to work with, so adding beadboard wallpaper to the space gave it a much more interesting architectural feel and at a cost of $25 per roll, it’s a bargain. I used less than 1 roll for this project and still have a little left.
I love this stuff all over again. If you missed my earlier posts about my new found love of beadboard wallpaper that started 2 years ago, you can go here, here, and we even had a beadboard wallpaper linky party here.
Sigh, it’s so pretty!
Before I show off the new bathroom, I’m going to share the how-to’s on the beadboard wallpaper and the new vinyl faux wood planks that went down on the floor. Y’all, it’s gorgeous now and I’ve only got one more thing to do to the mirror and it will be show-worthy. I promise it will be worth the wait! 🙂
So, first step was to paint out the walls. I didn’t bother to paint below the chairrail, since that is where the wallpaper will go. Painting first makes sense, then you don’t have to worry about getting it on your new wallpaper. I decided where the chairrail would sit and used the light switch as my guide, right below that.
Wonderful Beadboard Wallpaper
Getting ready to start the wallpaper. I began in a corner, working my way around the wall. I did have to wallpaper behind the toilet, but managed to slide it behind before we took the toilet out for the floor planks. First thing, I measured from the baseboard up to the point I wanted the chairrail to sit and there I had my measurement for the length of wallpaper I would need to cut. I cut across the wallpaper as straight as possible, measuring on each side and drawing a line with my yardstick to ensure as straight a cut as possible. Then I took that first piece to use as a guide and cut several more pieces the same length, since it is repetition all the way around.
Then you just dunk the back of the paper in water, wetting it really well. That activates the glue on the back. Let it sit for about 5 minutes and then start putting it up. You may have to work it down to the baseboard to get it just at the right spot. If you can’t move it by pushing with your fingers, peel it back and start again. 
Start with the next piece, matching the seam up and get it as tight as you can. I used an old rag to smooth out the bubbles as I placed each piece and it all dries out like a charm. You do want to get it down to the baseboard as close as you can, but really when you go back and paint it all out with trim paint, those edges lay down smoothly and it looks seamless. You can work with it for quite a long time to ensure that the seams are straight.
One caution for the bottom where you have to make cuts. If you happen to have a wall that is not square, there is a possibility that your line at the bottom will be slightly off sitting on top of the baseboard. I didn’t have any major problems with mine at all and any slight gaps got covered up with trim paint, so it is really not a big deal. IF by chance you do have extreme gaps, then you could always get a small 1/4″ trim piece and slap it right over the bottom paper on top of the base and that would totally hide any boo-boos.
Here’s one wall all done, ready for chair rail to go on top. It makes sense to do it this way, then you don’t have to cut the paper with the chair rail up. This way the chair rail goes right on top of the paper, all smooth and easy. My sweet daddy wanted to do all the chair rail, so he got out his big miter saw to help me out. He’s so great! You all know I could have done this myself, since I’ve done it before, but I will let that daddy of mine help when he wants to. I think he likes to help! 🙂 
You can see here I had a little corner to wrap around, so that is just what I did. Make sure you leave enough on the ends when you are wrapping a corner to have it line up properly. Then you can cut the excess with a sharp razor blade or scissors. Press on the corners really well when you lay it all down and it will dry beautifully. 
Here I cut around the vent in the bathroom, and the vent plate will go right back on top of this. I love anything that cuts with scissors. 🙂 
This wall is completed. My dad cut all the chair rail and got it installed. I usually miss a few steps along the way and forgot to show you the chair rail up before I painted it all. 
I countersunk all the nails, caulked and painted it all. I used a small paintbrush and foam roller and that made quick work of the wallpaper.
I get asked all the time: “can you paint that wallpaper?” The answer is YOU MUST paint the wallpaper. That is what makes it look SO real. YES, absolutely PAINT that paper!
My trim paint color is Creamy by Sherwin Williams. I had it mixed in latex Semi-gloss by Dutch Boy at Walmart. I happened to be in there and noticed they had all their Dutch Boy paint on clearance for $7 a gallon! I had them custom mix this Creamy color for me and it was perfect in there. 
Two coats later and now it looks like this. You can barely see the seams after it is all painted out. New wall color is Windsor Greige by Sherwin Williams. I did get Sherwin Williams paint (in Satin) for this bathroom, since it is mildew resistant and perfect for areas that get moisture. I am loving the new color.
Here’s how my dad chose to finish out the corner chair rail. He added a small piece of wood molding instead of the real stuff. Not the professional carpenter’s way, but it works OK when all painted out. 
You can see how pretty the beadboard wallpaper looks next to the baseboards after it’s all painted out and here’s a peek at the new vinyl plank flooring that I’ll tell you about next! Love this stuff too.
Then we’ll show off the new bathroom with all the accessories and my squishy new rugs. 🙂
I put this wallpaper up about 2 months ago in my mudroom hallway. After purchasing it I returned it after a friend told me she put it in her son’s bedroom and regretted it because you could see every little ding. I had decided to put up wood bead board but after looking at the cost and time it would take I decided to give the wallpaper a try. The reason my friend didn’t like it is because she painted it blue and because the wallpaper is white it showed through the blue paint every time it got a little dent. I bought the Martha Stewart brand at Home Depot and it went up pretty easy and I painted it Cloud White by Benjamin Moore. I have had it up for 2 months now and am pretty happy with it, everybody who sees it can’t believe it’s wallpaper! I have 2 children and this is a high traffic area and despite a few dings here and there it has held up pretty well. You can fill in the dings with spackle and repaint if needed. One thing I have found is that the corners have a bit more wear so I may add a piece of moulding in these areas to prevent too much wear. I put it on Pinterest and here’s a link if you want to see what it looks like: http://pinterest.com/pin/133559945172268605/
Did you have to use paste for this type? I’m thinking about buying the Martha Stewart line but I have no experience with wallpaper.
Hi, The sides of my 1970’s kitchen cabinets have that smooth, slick fake wood paneling that looks like contact paper. What exactly would I do to prime the surface before I hang the wall paper?
Thanks,
Sarah
HI, Sarah, I think a coat of primer would be all that is needed to get rid of the slick surface. Then paste the wallpaper up there.
Hi Rhoda, I am finally ready to try my hand at hanging the beadboard wallpaper on the ends of my kitchen cabinets. Regarding the advice to start with a coat of primer — did you mean regular paint primer, or did you mean a primer specifically for wall coverings? Thank you so much for your time and advice!
Sarah
HI, Sarah, just a regular coat of primer will do, any paint primer.
Have you tried using beadboard wallpaper on the ceiling? I know it is probably a little back breaking, but I would like beadboard in my whole downstairs ad it would be cost prohibitive to use beadboard.. Thoughts?
HI, Rosie, I do think it would work well on a flat ceiling and I’m sure it would work. Although you are right, it would be back breaking for sure. I think it would be beautiful though.
Hey gals…I found a kitchen I adored that had been remodel using bead board in a well known magazine. Well not being that ambious or having that kind of $$$, I used the beadboard wallpaper, painted it with cabinet sealer type paint and am trying to track down countertops that imitate a marble look, like the remodel. But let me say, for a FRACTION of the cost, I am on my way to that designer looking kitchen. WOOHOO. I might even try appliance paint to give the illusion of highend appliances. Being creative and repurposing is good for the planet and your budget!!
Hi, Tess! I love your testimonial for beadboard wallpaper, so glad you liked it too!
I have read so many posts regarding the blogger lovers but this post is in faact a fastidious piece of writing, keep it up.
Pinned this long ago I Pinterest, and just did my kitchen. The roll was on sale at Lowes for $5.39 for 56sqft. Absolutely gorgeous!!!! I left my trim up, removed the socket covers, and out it up. I’ve never done wallpaper before and it was so easy!!! Came out perfect. Only tool I used was a foam paint brush to spread on the water. After it was up I painted the trim and the paper with a high gloss white. It’s spectacular and looks like the real thing. So easy and I’ve got so much paper left I’m going to do the dining room next! Thanks for the idea!
Just wondering if this beadboard wallpaper can be stained to match an oak color, or does it have to be painted? I was wanting to do the end pieces (that are the slick laminate) in my kitchen, but want it to tie in with the rest of the cabinets which are oak. Don’t think white paint would match well when the rest of the cabinets are oak (veneer). Please advise. Thanks!
Hi, this paper is meant to be painted so I wouldn’t recommend staining it , just don’t think you would get a good result. This would be a case for real wood to be used.
Hi there! This is so beautiful! I wanted to ask, since it has been a few years since you posted it, did you notice any shrinkage during the winter or due to the moisture? We have bead board in a house we are purchasing, but I am considering pulling it down and putting up wallpaper instead!! The bead board is cracked and old; I love the look but it needs some help.
Hi, Andie, no the paper hasn’t shrunk for me at all. I have it in my house now and it’s great. I would hate to tear down real beadboard if there is any way to salvage it.
Rhonda,
Love this wallpaper. How do you think it would work on a ceiling? We are moving into an old farmhouse with really high ceilings in the kitchen and I was thinking about putting bead board up but then when I saw this wallpaper wondered how hard that would be. Any tips?
Thanks
HI, Margo, I think it would work great on a flat ceiling. It might be a little tedious getting it up there, but definitely not as bad as putting up the real thing which is super heavy. It’s very easy to work with, so I think it would work out well.
Do you have to use any wallpaper paste when using this wallpaper? I’ve never used wallpaper before so its a new project for me. I was thinking about purchasing the same Martha Stewart wallpaper you used.
Hi, Jenn, no this paper is pre pasted so no need for paste. And this brand is not Martha Stewart, it is Graham Brown from the UK.
Hi Rhoda,
I might’ve missed it if you wrote about this already, but I have found that my bead board wallpaper has a tacky feel to it, even after 3 coats of paint. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Crystal
HI, Crystal, I haven’t had that problem at all. I don’t know why that would happen. Mine has never been tacky after the paint dried.
Would it be possible to put this on top of a popcorn ceiling? I’m guessing not.
Hi, I purchased the beadboard a long time back on your site… I finally had enough of a bathroom job I did about 10 years ago with the torn grocery bags glued to the bathroom 70s style vinyl wall board. I had painted it a robins egg blue and put a glaze which enhanced the edges… Was very happy with until……It has started pulling from the wall including the vinyl from the board… So, I have removed all and am about to finally put up the breadboard wallpaper… Very excited but nervous at the same time!! I am sure it will be easier than the sacks and glue job….. Hope so cause I am 10 years older!!
HI, Rissa, oh you are going to love the wallpaper! Such a great way to update and get some new interest going. I remember those old paper bags walls!
I was going to o order your wallpaper till I saw your distributor. I ordered a sample of this wallpaper from Graham and Brown on the 18 th of last month. Haven’t gotten the sample, have gotten nothing but run a a round from their customer service department..when they answer which is not often. They are not a reliable company in my opinion. Can you recommend someone else to purchase this style of paper from?
HI, Debra, sorry you have had problems with them. I’ve been working with them for almost 5 years and they have shipped out lots of wallpaper to my customers. The only other place I know of is Lowes. They normally carry a similar paper in the stores, so you can check them out. I’ll be happy to send you a sample if you want me to. I can see your email on the comments and you can email me your address.
Love the idea of using beadboard wallpaper. Do you think I could use it on a ceiling?
Hi, Nella, yes I totally think it would be great on a ceiling if you have the patience to put it over head. The ceiling would need to be flat.
So glad I found this on Pinterest. I’m in the process of purchasing an 1875 home in bad need of updating (farmhouse style, of course). I’ve been thinking of beadboard one way or another in just about every room! This will save me tons and I can do it myself!
Just last month, I wallpapered my master bathroom with this gorgeous breadboard wallpaper I saw right here in your DIY gallery. I painted it a semi-gloss white, and added a chair rail. It looks fabulous! Thanks for the inspiration!!
HI. Kelli, thanks for letting me know!