When planning Kennedy’s nursery, I knew I wanted to include some vertical paneling along the bottom half of the room to add some height and dimension to the space. My original plan was to purchase the same tongue and groove shiplap planks that we installed on our main floor, but I pivoted last minute when I found a way to create the shiplap wainscoting look for less.
While at Home Depot picking up materials for the nursery, I came across some wide ‘plank’ beadboard which I decided was a much better option for the nursery. Here’s why:
Decorative profile:
The wide beadboard is about the same width as the shiplap boards, but includes a softer ‘bead’ edge which I think makes the nursery feel more cozy. Shiplap has stronger lines and visual contrast between the boards, but the profile of the beadboard worked better with the other elements of our nursery (i.e vintage wallpaper accent wall and antique gold crib.)
Easy to Use and Install:
The paneling comes in sheets rather than individual planks, which makes for super easy installation that I was able to complete in one afternoon. I only had to make a few cuts and use minimal materials (liquid nails, brad nailer, caulk) to adhere the sheets to the wall. The paneling also came pre-primed and pre-finished, so it only required one coat of paint.
Cheaper:
For my particular project, purchasing a few sheets of paneling was much more cost effective than purchasing individual shiplap planks. The only other material I had to purchase that I didn’t have on hand was the moulding/trim for the top edge.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a shiplap fanatic… but I really am loving this alternate option for the shiplap wainscoting look for less.
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