NewlyWoodwards

an unconventional home

Stairway inspiration: Square board and batten to hide damaged walls

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When you have a stairway with lots of damage, you have to be ready to deal with lots of repair.

Or you have to get creative.

In our case, we got creative. We chose to install a type of board and batten on the staircase to create an upscale look, and to avoid all the wall repair that would have otherwise been necessary. Plus, there were a lot of the different (ugly) textures on the wall.

In the past week, Ryan got almost everything installed in the staircase, and I think it’s going to look super nice when it’s a crisp, clean white.

But I will say that it was a lot of work for him. That’s a lot of boards to install.

The pine “batten” boards cover the seams of the plywood underneath. I really like the grid look.

And it creates some visual interest on a pretty boring and closed-off stairway.
(As an aside, the process was very similar to our board and batten installation in our dining room. It’s still one of our most popular posts. Check it out if you are interested in our steps and tips.)

 

Update: If you want to see the finished staircase, check out these posts:

What do you think of the wall treatment?

Comments

  6. It’s things like this that is going to make your house be amazing. Like oh hey, let’s go upstairs, WOAH would you look at that stairway?!?! Unexpected details and whatnot…love them. And for reals, Ryan is pretty darn impressive. I tell you all the time how awesome you are but I don’t go on and on about Ryan enough. Way to go Ryan, way.to.go.

  10. How clever is that? Another Amazing NewlyWoodward creation! We will be anxious to see the finished painted result. Love it!

  16. Hi! Just wanted to say that I’m a long time reader, but I think this is the first time I’ve commented. I think your home is amazing! You should be proud of all the work you’ve done. It is very inspiring 🙂

  24. Wow, that looks awesome! I can’t wait to see it painted white! Maybe next week??? 😉
    I’m curious as to when you are going to buy a house and stay in it, or are you going to keep doing this? I don’t know if I could completely renovate a house and NOT stay in it forever!
    I’m just curious and maybe a little nosy 🙂

  30. Oh I cannot wait to see this painted out. You guys are so classy. What are your ideas for the stair treads? I’m sure whatever you’ve got in your creative head is fabulous.

  32. Wow again my jaw dropped with another amazing project – I’m thinking I’ll need to hire you guys to help once we start to renovate… once we move… ahem.

    I can’t wait to see it bright white oooh.

  33. wow! you can just tell that is going to look amazing! what a great way to add interest to such a large space. and way to go ryan, of course!

  34. Wow – that looks like it was quite a bit of work. Ryan deserves a lot of credit – it can’t have been easy to get those all so straight.

    I agree with Decorandthedog – it’s going to be amazing when it’s all painted white. What are you thinking for the stairs?

    Andrew
    Wholesale Flooring Ace

  36. I love board and batten. Someday I hope to have a house that lends itself to classic touches like that. Then we would hire you and Ryan to come and help us install it. :o)

  37. This is going to look awesome! I want to do this somewhere in my house…along with about 50 other things that I have to convince the husband are good ideas! 🙂