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How to Make an Affordable Slat Wall

STEP 3: Stain and Seal the Plywood SlatsI stained three sides of the slats using a special walnut stain. I did not bother staining the side of the slats that would be up against the wall. Once the stain dries, seal the wood. (I foolishly waited until the slats were installed on the wall to seal it.) Allow the stain to cure before installing it on the wall. This will prevent the stain from making your whole house smell!

STEP 4: Paint the WallPaint the wall where you will be installing the slats whatever color you would like. The wall color will show through between the slats. I chose to paint my wall black because I like the contrast of the wood against a black wall.

STEP 5: Cut the Wood Slats to LengthSince no wall in my house is straight, I did not expect this wall to be an exception. Therefore, I only cut a handful of slats at a time. I installed those slats and then cut the next batch. This ensured that the slats weren’t too long or short.

STEP 6: Install the Wood SlatsTo secure the slats to the drywall, I used both construction adhesive and finishing nails. I applied several small dots of construction adhesive to the slat and then nailed it to the wall, making sure the spacer was tight between the two slats. I put the nails in at a slight angle and alternated directions (left to right). I cut one of the slats slightly shorter than the rest and used it as a spacer to ensure that the slats were spaced the same.

STEP 7: Cut Around Any OutletsI had one outlet and one blank cover plate on the accent wall. Luckily, the slats were spaced perfectly to where I only needed to cut one slat per plate cover. For these, I simply cut out enough of the slat to install the covers.

STEP 8: Enjoy Your New Slat WallI installed this slat wall as an accent wall in my boys’ room. A slat wall would be the perfect addition to any room!