How to hang bead board paneling for a cottage bathroom

Updating a guest bathroom to add an extra layer of cottage appeal is as simple as adding a bead board wall treatment.

Even after updating my guest bathroom in recent years, (click here to see that), it still felt a little cold and uninviting. Always ready for a simple DIY project that won’t break the bank, I opted to add bead board to the main wall of this space.

Here are the steps I took to complete this cottage inspired DIY project on a budget:

• After removing everything from the wall, (towel bar and decor) I wiped down the entire wall to remove any dust. Then I took my measurements to help me make an accurate list of the materials I would need to purchase for the job.

• For this DIY, I needed 2 ½ sheets of bead board, a 9 ft. piece of wall trim, paintable caulk, and paint. For projects like this, you also need painters tape, a good trim paint brush, paint tray, paint roller frame, and a roller for the type surface you are painting. I also purchased a couple of decorative accessories to update the space, but I always “shop” my home first and use what I have on hand.

The bead board I used in this project is available at Home Depot.

• I did some browsing on the internet and found that there is no single standard height for bead board in a bathroom. The typical height for this wall treatment is 38 – 42 inches, but I chose to run mine up a little higher on the wall. The vertical stripe of the board design draws the eye up and makes the 8 foot ceiling appear higher, which lends a more spacious feel to the space. The already white walls make this small, windowless bathroom feel much bigger than it really is.

• After cutting the board with a skill saw, I attached it to the wall with a nail gun. And just like that, the hardest part of the job was done!

• I puttied and sanded all the nail holes and caulked the edges with a white paintable caulk. Then it was time for paint.

• When choosing a paint color for this wall treatment, I wanted a contrast to the already white walls. Nothing too bold, but a warmer tone to make the space feel a little more warm and cozy for my guests.

• I found the perfect color in Creamy Mushroom by Behr. One quart, and the painting was complete.

• The top trim piece was painted in this color as well. After touching up the nail holes, it was time to add my décor back to the space.

A new overhead light fixture adds to the charm of this tiny guest bath. The distressed white finish and clear frosted glass accents are a perfect choice for cottage style.

This light fixture is available at Lowe’s.

To add another layer of cozy cottage to this space, I did another small DIY project. I made a tub tray from a piece of wood we had on hand. I sanded and stained the wood with a Varathane Classic wood stain and attached vintage handles we had on hand.

Now my guest bath is warm and inviting and reflects the cozy cottage style I love so much.

Be sure to pin this project for later