In this post, I’m sharing how I installed a beautiful, rustic wood plank wall in my daughter Lily’s room for under $100. This project covers everything from prepping the materials to applying the final touches, making it a perfect DIY weekend project that doesn’t break the bank. Whether you’re looking to cover up unsightly plaster or just add character to a room, this step-by-step guide will show you how to do it all.

Step 1: Preparing the Wood Planks

For this project, I started with three 8×4 sheets of 1/4-inch plywood. My daughter Lily and I cut the plywood into 6-inch-wide planks using a table saw. If you don’t have one, you can easily use a circular saw with a guide placed on a foam sheet to make the cuts more manageable and safer.

The plywood I used has held up for years in my previous porch ceiling project, so I trusted it for this indoor wall treatment as well. It’s a durable option and really affordable. After cutting the planks, we laid them out in the sun to dry, ready for the next steps.

Step 2: Whitewashing the Planks

Lily wanted a slightly distressed look for the room, so we decided to whitewash the planks. We wiped on the whitewash, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wiped off the excess, leaving behind a light, airy finish that complements her room’s design.

After whitewashing, I sealed the planks with a water-based polyurethane, my go-to sealer for durability. I applied one layer, allowed it to dry, then sanded all edges smooth before applying a second layer for a satin sheen. This finish helps the planks stay beautiful for years to come.

Step 3: Preparing the Wall

The wall I was working with had some serious plaster issues. When I removed the old wainscoting from my son’s nursery (which was being transformed into Lily’s room), I discovered a lot of black residue behind it. After testing for mold and asbestos, I found it to be neither, but still, I wasn’t comfortable leaving it exposed.

To remove the plaster, I used a wetting method to keep the dust down, wore PPE, and took my time chipping away at the plaster bit by bit. It was tedious but necessary to make sure there were no future problems.

Step 4: Installing the Vertical Stretchers

Before starting to hang the planks, I installed vertical stretchers on the wall, where I wanted the seams of the planks to land. This was a key step in ensuring a smooth and symmetrical look. Since the plaster wall was uneven, I couldn’t always line up with the studs, so I drilled holes and used toggle bolts to anchor the stretchers in place. The toggle bolts provide extra strength and keep everything tightly secured to the wall.

Step 5: Cutting and Installing the Wood Planks

With the stretchers in place, I could start installing the planks. For this, I used a laser level (which made everything so much easier) to ensure the planks went up straight and evenly spaced. I started with a 24-inch plank at the bottom, nailing it into place with short brad nails. If you have a pin nailer, I’d recommend using that instead, as it leaves smaller holes that are less noticeable.

I left just a tiny gap between each plank to give the look of authentic shiplap, though some people use a nickel as a spacer. I also cut planks around outlets and vents using an oscillating multi-tool, which made precise cuts easy.

Step 6: Adjusting for Unlevel Ceilings

The ceiling in Lily’s room was slightly off, so instead of running the planks all the way up to it, I used the laser level to drop a horizontal line a little lower than the ceiling. I had to cut the first plank at an angle to match the ceiling, which was a bit of a challenge but worked out in the end.

Step 7: Securing the Planks and Final Touches

As I continued installing, I realized that the thin plywood needed more support. I added an extra stretcher through the center of the wall to help keep the planks from bowing. It’s important to remember that not all walls are perfectly plumb, so each plank had to be cut to fit perfectly along the edges.

Once all the planks were up, I filled in any gaps between the planks and the walls with paintable caulk, creating a crisp, clean line. I also ran a bead of caulk along the edges where the planks met the ceiling, creating a professional finish.

Step 8: Adding the Finishing Touches

Once the wall treatment was done, I added baseboard molding around the bottom, but only where the bed wouldn’t cover it. For the areas where the bed would be, I left the baseboard off until I placed the bed to avoid cutting it unnecessarily.

The Final Look

The transformation is stunning! The wood plank wall brings a warm, rustic charm to Lily’s room, and the whitewashed planks really brighten up the space. This budget-friendly project turned out beautifully, and my daughter couldn’t be happier with the results.

Conclusion

This DIY wood plank wall treatment is an affordable, beautiful way to update a room. The total cost was under $100 for all the materials, and the results speak for themselves. Even if you’re working with a tricky plaster wall, like I did, with a little creativity and patience, you can make it work. If I had to do it again, I’d probably use thicker plywood for extra support, but overall, the project turned out fantastic. I hope this guide gives you some inspiration for your own DIY projects!

Thanks for following along—happy DIY-ing!