DIY Reclaimed Wood Plank Focal Wall for a Playroom Makeover

Sometimes the least expensive choice is not the smartest choice. We learned that lesson during our latest playroom makeover, especially while planning a DIY reclaimed wood plank focal wall.

We have officially reached Week 4 of the 6-week One Room Challenge. The last time I shared our DIY built-ins, the center section between the two bookcases was still completely blank. That empty space was always meant to become the focal point of the room, and this week it finally received the texture and warmth it needed.

UPDATE: The full playroom makeover reveal is now complete.

My plan was to add a wood plank wall between the two built-in bookcases to bring contrast, natural texture, and a little rustic character into an otherwise bright white playroom. A wood accent wall is such a simple way to make a room feel warmer and more finished, especially when the space already has a lot of painted surfaces.

We have used wood walls in several areas of our home over the years, and each one has been a little different. We added planks behind the bathtub in our primary bathroom, installed faux shiplap in the foyer, created a wood detail above the fireplace, added a planked focal wall in the bedroom, and even used reclaimed-style wood on the kitchen bar. Clearly, wood walls have become one of our favorite DIY projects.

For this playroom, though, I wanted to find the most budget-friendly method possible. At first, I thought we had found the perfect solution when I came across free old wood fencing. All we had to do was pick it up and haul it away. At the time, it felt like a major win.

I convinced myself that the old fence boards could be scrubbed, cleaned, and transformed into something beautiful. Then they sat in our garage for three months. When we finally pulled them out to use them, we realized they were covered in moss, grime, and questionable moldy areas. At that point, the savings were not worth the risk of bringing possible mold into our home.

So we moved on to Plan B. It was not free, which had been my original goal, but it was safer, cleaner, and much easier to install. We found ready-made rustic pine wall planks in the lumber aisle at Lowe’s and decided to give them a try.

The wood cost $117 in total. While that was more than I hoped to spend, the planks were already stained and grooved, which saved us a lot of time. Compared with raw pine boards or salvaged wood that needed heavy cleaning and prep work, these planks made the project much faster and more manageable.

Supplies Used:

5.5-inch x 8-foot barnwood pine wall planks
Circular saw
1 1/2-inch finishing nails
Tape measure and pencil
Hammer
Jigsaw

The entire DIY wood plank wall took about an hour from start to finish. Robert and I measured the width of the wall, marked each plank, and used the circular saw to cut the boards to the lengths we needed.

As we worked our way up the wall, we nailed each plank into the wall studs using finishing nails. The grooved edges helped the boards fit together neatly and created a more polished look without much effort.

A few boards were more challenging because not every plank was perfectly straight. Some were slightly warped, so we had to tap them into place with a hammer to make them fit securely into the groove of the board below.

Even with those minor adjustments, the pre-stained planks were absolutely worth it. Instead of spending an entire Saturday cleaning, sanding, staining, and installing old wood, we were still able to enjoy time together as a family. For a busy weekend DIY project, that convenience made a big difference.

When we reached the top of the wall, we had to work around the trim that had already been installed on the built-ins. We held a plank in place, marked the areas that needed to be cut, and used a jigsaw to notch the board so it would fit properly. Installing the plank wall before adding the trim would have made this step easier, but we made it work.

At the very top, we ended up with about a 2-inch gap between the final plank and the ceiling. To make the wall look complete, we nailed a 1-inch x 2-inch board into the gap.

Later, I caulked around that board and painted it the same white color as the built-ins so it blended in cleanly with the surrounding trim.

The finished wood plank focal wall completely changed the feel of the room. What was once a plain empty space now has warmth, texture, and a strong visual anchor. The wood grain adds just the right amount of character without overwhelming the playroom.

This is also where the TV will eventually go, creating a cozy spot where Olivia can watch cartoons and where we can enjoy casual family movie nights together.

We also found a striped cotton rug that feels like it was made for this playroom. I painted the wooden crates too, although I still plan to add a little something extra to them before the room is fully finished.

I am still rearranging the shelves and figuring out the best place for everything. Olivia has plenty of access to toys and games behind the doors of the built-ins, while I have been enjoying the process of styling the open shelves.

And the ceiling fan is officially installed.

The mint-colored ceiling fan has a vintage-meets-modern look, and it is different from anything I would normally choose. But that is part of the fun of decorating a playroom. This space does not have to feel overly serious or formal.

This room is already becoming such a gift for our family. Lately, we have been turning off electronics after dinner and spending time in here together playing games, making music, dancing, and ending the day more intentionally. I am excited to see how this playroom continues to serve our family.

Here is where the playroom to-do list stands now:

DONE: Install built-in bookcases
DONE: Paint and install desks
DONE: Paint walls
DONE: Find a colorful rug
DONE: Install ceiling fan
DONE: Install reclaimed wood wall
DONE: Frame and paint window
DONE: Paint wood crates
Replace sofa with a slipcovered one
Make oversized storybook art
Hang curtains
Finish decorating shelves
Implement and organize a toy storage system

There is still more happening in this playroom, but I do not want to reveal everything too soon. Wider room photos are coming soon, and this DIY reclaimed wood plank focal wall has already brought the entire space one big step closer to feeling finished.