Mini Entryway Makeover: DIY Board and Batten Wall with Hooks
When we lived in our loft, we lacked a dedicated entryway, and after having our first kiddo, we quickly realized how much we needed a place to put his jackets and little diaper backpack. That’s when I decided to give a small wall by the front door a simple but functional makeover. By adding board and batten, I could bring some visual interest to the space while also incorporating hooks for practicality.
This was an easy overnight project—or one you could even knock out in a day!
Supplies:
(3) 1x2" pine boards
(1) 1x5" primed board
(1) 5/16x1.5" furring strip or lath wood
(4) matte black hooks
Screws
Drill
Brad nailer
Adhesive glue
Caulk
Wood filler
Paint
Step 1: Measure and Plan
First, measure your wall space to determine the layout. My wall was about 40" wide by 36" tall. I wanted three vertical boards to divide the space, with a thicker board on top for a ledge. You can manually calculate spacing or use this board and batten layout calculator to make things easier. Once I figured that out I placed my boards on my wall and traced them with pencil to confirm I liked the spacing, you could always use painters tape too.
Step 2: Attach the Top Board
Start by cutting your top board to size and securing it in place with screws. This will act as the anchor for the design.
Step 3: Install the Vertical Boards
Next, attach the vertical pine boards. You can use a brad nailer for easy removal in the future, but I opted for adhesive glue for a secure hold. Since I only had three boards, I first marked the center of the wall and placed the middle board there. Then, I calculated the spacing for the remaining two boards and attached them evenly on either side.
Step 4: Add the Ledge
Once the vertical boards were in place, I attached the furring strip (or lath wood) flat on top of the primed board using a brad nailer. This created a simple ledge that added extra detail to the design.
Step 5: Fill, Caulk, and Paint
To achieve a seamless look, I filled all nail holes with wood filler and caulked the gaps between the boards and the wall. Once everything was dry, I sanded the filler, primed the wood, and applied paint for a polished finish.
Step 6: Install Hooks
The final step was installing the matte black hooks. They were super easy to put in—I just followed the directions in the box.
And just like that, I had a stylish and functional mini entryway! Now, all of my kiddo’s essentials are neatly stored by the door, making our daily routine so much easier.
If you’ve been looking for a simple way to add character and function to a small space, this board and batten wall is the perfect weekend DIY project!
