DIY Grid Wall From Start to Finish

How to Install a Grid Accent Wall from Start to Finish

Total time: 2 days

1. Measure & Draw Grid Wall Template

   Let’s determine how we want this to look. We measure the wall across and then up and down. We decided to work with the existing baseboard we had (if you don’t have one, you will need to install a baseboard – see step 3). Once we had our template, we could determine the amount of boards we needed to complete the project.

2. Cut Top & Vertical Boards to Size

   

   Using our template as a reference, we cut the TOP and VERTICAL boards to size with our miter saw. We waited to cut the inner horizontal boards until we had the vertical boards up in place. The baseboards we have are thinner, but we wanted to use thicker boards for this project. So, we cut one end of each vertical board to a 45 degree angle (as shown in pic) so it would lay over the thinner part of the baseboard and blend in. All the vertical boards were the same size, so this made it easy to cut them all at once.

3. Install Top & Bottom Boards First

   

   Install your Top Board first. This top board is like crown molding, but since it’s just one accent wall, you don’t have to worry about making any mitered cuts. Apply construction adhesive to the back of the board, then secure it to the wall ensuring it is lined up straight with the ceiling. Then, follow up with brad nails. If you don’t have an existing baseboard, you will need to install this next. It should be the same measurement as your top board.

4. install Vertical Boards

   

   Now, we are going to install the vertical boards to fit in between the top and bottom boards. Starting in the corner and working our way to the other side of the wall. Apply construction adhesive to each boards, and make sure it’s level straight right away before the adhesive sets. Then, follow up with brad nails. Repeat this process for every vertical board at the spacing you determined in step 1. You can also make a spacer board to make this process easier.

5. Install Horizontal Boards

   

   Now we are just filling in! We measured our wall in between, then drew a mark where each horizontal board would go. We measured EACH space before cutting to ensure we had accurately sized horizontal boards. It’s the same install process as before – apply a little layer of construction adhesive, ensure the board is level straight, then follow up with brad nails. Don’t worry about gaps and nail holes – we will fill all these in soon.

6. Caulk Gaps & Nail Holes

   

   Apply painter’s caulk (paintable) along the sides of the moldings to fill in any gaps. Our walls are not straight so we had some large gaps to fill in. This process ended up taking a while but it will give you professional results so take your time here. You can also fill in the nail holes. I use a caulking gun and my finger to spread it. Nothing fancy! Allow the caulk to fully dry and then fill in again as needed. Sometimes, we caulk dries, it shrinks and you notice additional gaps that were not there before.

7. Sand Caulk

   

   Use some light sandpaper to sand off the rough edges from the caulk. This is a messy job but worth it!

8. Paint

   Now we are ready to paint! I used my small Wooster brush along the insides of the molding, and then followed up with a paint roller for everything else.