After watching all of the home design and remodel shows, you feel like you are ready to take on any project that comes along – I mean they make it look so easy, right? While in reality, most of them have a crew of people working that they don’t show us on the half hour show, but, there are some ideas that you can in fact, do yourself! One of the most popular design techniques that has come up from these shows is the concept of “shiplap†or pallet walls.
This is a technique that repurposes old boards to create a statement wall in any room – whether kept in the rustic unfinished boards condition they were found or repainting them for a fresh new look. Although it provides a big punch in a room, it is actually relatively easy to DIY. Step one is gathering the materials. So, to start, decide if you are shooting for the more rustic look of weathered, old boards, or the fresh look of a painted finish. If rustic, go on a hunt for boards in the color/style you want – check out yard sales, thrift stores, even big box improvement stores now sell – “vintage style†boards. If you are going to paint, start at the home improvement stores to save some time – no one will know what is underneath the paint anyway. Once you have gathered them, you’ll need nails and a saw.
When picking the wall, keep in mind you must work around whatever is there – so try to pick the wall with the least windows, doors, and heating elements, because it honestly just makes the project easier. And then start at the top. Make sure to cut the boards into different lengths – you don’t want to make it look symmetrical. Just nail the boards into place and continue lining up row by row until you get to the bottom of the wall – if necessary cutting the bottom row in height to finish evenly at the bottom of the room. While a hammer and nails would suffice, a nail gun will definitely make the job go quicker and easier.
When you are done, sit back, enjoy another home design show and get thinking about next weekend’s project!!
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