Woo-hoo — it’s reveal day for our DIY board and batten!
Earlier this week I shared our foyer makeover and the first part of our DIY board and batten project. I’m thrilled with how the finished hallway and foyer turned out; it truly changed the look and flow of this part of the house.
Before the update, we had a shiplap accent wall that added personality, but the front door and the connecting hallway still felt very plain and builder-grade. The corridor between the foyer and living room was dark, flat, and completely lacked any wow factor.
When the boards went up they were raw and unfinished — the perfect canvas for a fresh paint job. We took our time prepping the surface: spackling nail holes and seams, caulking gaps, and sanding wood knots so the finish would be smooth and seamless.
Before sanding was finished I snapped a progress photo — sanding is an essential step if you want crisp, clean lines and a professional-looking result.
Once everything was filled, sanded, and dusted off, we taped up the trim and got ready to paint. My daughter Olivia even helped with the taping — she thought the little pieces of tape were stickers.
Glidden Paint sent a gallon of their Duo Paint + Primer for me to try, and it impressed me. It felt like a higher-end product in terms of coverage and finish, while staying budget-friendly — which is important in all of my projects.
I used the color Crisp Linen White in a semi-gloss finish. Because I was painting over darker paint and raw wood, I applied two coats for complete coverage. The paint dried quickly between coats, so the process moved along without long wait times.
A few practical tips from this project: start with careful surface prep (spackle, caulk, sand), paint the trim first and feather it out to avoid hard edges, and use a quality brush for the trim along with a mini roller for the panels. I also line my paint tray with a plastic grocery bag for easy cleanup — simple tricks that save time.
The paint is low-VOC, so it didn’t fill the house with fumes — there was very little odor. After two coats the finish looked smooth and durable. I still had a cup or two left in the gallon after finishing the hallway and foyer, which was a nice bonus for touch-ups.
Lola supervised most of the project from her nap spot — she’s my favorite DIY assistant.
After the paint cured and the tape was removed, the hallway felt transformed. The new trim and fresh white paint added depth, brightness, and architectural interest, making the connected spaces flow together much better.
This update complements other budget-friendly changes we’ve made, like our $80 wood beam doorway and a $35 wagon bench. The bench pops against the shiny new trim and will soon get hooks and a little art above it to complete the entry vignette.
Next up: the front door. It’s still plain white and I’m debating a new color — leaning toward a gray or blue to add contrast and curb appeal. If you’re planning your own board and batten, keep in mind the basics: prep carefully, choose a quality paint (especially when covering dark colors), and work in thin, even coats for the best finish.
We’ve come a long way since closing day, and this small, budget-friendly DIY made a big visual impact. If you plan to tackle a similar hallway makeover, pin or save this post for guidance — board and batten is one of the easiest ways to add architectural detail and value to an entryway or corridor.
