We have shipped thousands of boxes of reclaimed wood over the years, and we always love seeing where people put it. Living rooms, bedrooms, home offices, restaurants. Every room looks different because every board is different. Here are the ideas and tips we have picked up from watching our customers do amazing things with our wood.
What you will find in this guide:
Living Room Accent Walls
The living room is where most people start, and it makes sense. It is the room everyone sees.
Behind the TV. This is the most popular spot by far. A reclaimed wood wall behind a mounted TV gives it a warm, grounded look instead of just a screen floating on a white wall. The natural brown tones of the wood work as a neutral backdrop that goes with just about any furniture.
The fireplace wall. If you have a fireplace, putting reclaimed wood on the wall around it or above the mantel is a guaranteed showstopper. The combination of fire and aged wood has a natural, cabin-like appeal that people are drawn to.
Go floor to ceiling. For living rooms, do the whole wall. Partial walls can look like you ran out of material. The beauty of reclaimed barn wood is that no two boards are the same, so even a large wall never looks busy or overwhelming.
For big living room walls over 80 square feet, our 5.5 inch wide boards are the way to go. Wider boards fill the space with fewer seams and the grain really gets to show off.
Bedroom Accent Walls
The wall behind the bed is the second most popular spot, and it might be the most satisfying to wake up to.
It replaces your headboard. A lot of our customers skip the headboard entirely once the wood is up. The accent wall does double duty, giving the room texture and warmth while acting as a natural headboard. It looks intentional and high-end without a piece of furniture taking up space.
The cozy factor. There is something about aged wood that makes a bedroom feel warmer without making it darker. Our brown natural boards have golden and amber tones that catch lamplight in a way that paint just cannot do.
Bedrooms are usually smaller walls, so 3.5 inch wide boards tend to work better here. More plank lines mean more texture and detail, which looks great behind a bed.
Home Office and Video Call Backgrounds
This one has taken off in the last few years. With so many people working from home, the wall behind your desk is basically your professional image on every Zoom call.
Put the wood behind your desk. Position it so the reclaimed wood fills your camera frame. Brown barn wood photographs beautifully under any lighting, and it looks a lot more professional than a bookshelf or a blank wall.
We have had customers tell us they get compliments on their background in meetings all the time. A few have even gotten clients asking where they got the wood.
Half wall option. If you do not want to do floor to ceiling in an office, go from desk height to the ceiling. It creates a clean look that reads as intentional, and you use less material. Three boxes usually covers it.
Kitchen and Dining Areas
Kitchen backsplash. Reclaimed wood behind open shelving or above the counter adds a ton of character to a kitchen. Just make sure to seal it with a clear matte polyurethane if it is going near a sink or stove. Our wood handles it fine once sealed.
Dining room wall. The wall behind your dining table is a great spot, especially in open-concept homes where the dining area needs something to define it. The wood creates an intimate, restaurant-quality atmosphere. Speaking of restaurants, this is exactly what Gordon Ramsay did with our wood.
Want to go deeper on kitchen ideas? Read our full guide: Reclaimed Wood Kitchen Ideas: Walls, Backsplashes and More
Bathroom Walls
People are always surprised when we say yes, you can use reclaimed wood in a bathroom. A few things to keep in mind:
- Put it on the wall behind the vanity or behind a freestanding tub. Stay away from inside the shower.
- Apply 2 to 3 coats of clear sealer before installing. This protects against humidity and splashes.
- Make sure the bathroom has decent ventilation. A bathroom fan that actually works is all you need.
The contrast of old barn wood against white tile and modern fixtures is one of those combinations that just works.
Commercial Spaces
We have done a lot of commercial work over the years and it is some of our favorite stuff. Reclaimed barn wood in a business space tells customers you care about details and quality.
Some of the projects we are most proud of:
- Gordon Ramsay used our boards in a restaurant interior
- The Baltimore Ravens put them in their media studio
- ESPN used them as a broadcast backdrop
- Starbucks locations used them for that signature warm feel
- Regions Bank and Wow Cafe have done full wall installations
If you are doing a commercial project, we ship the same product in any quantity. Just order what you need from our shop.
Design Tips We Have Learned Along the Way
Pick the right board width for your wall size
This matters more than people think. Wide boards (5.5 inch) on a small wall look cramped because you only get a few rows. Narrow boards (3.5 inch) on a huge wall can look too busy. Rule of thumb: 5.5 inch for walls over 80 square feet, 3.5 inch for walls under 80 square feet.
Paint the wall dark first
This is our number one tip that most guides skip. Paint the wall dark grey or charcoal before you start installing. Any tiny gaps between boards will blend into the dark background instead of showing white drywall. It takes 20 minutes and makes a huge difference in the finished look.
Lay out the boards on the floor first
Before you glue anything to the wall, spread out all your boards on the floor. Arrange them by shade and length. Mix the lighter and darker pieces so you do not end up with a dark corner and a light corner. This step takes maybe 15 minutes and it is the difference between a wall that looks random and one that looks planned.
Let the wood acclimate first
When your boxes arrive, put them in the room where you are installing. Open the boxes and pull out the bundles, but leave the plastic wrap on. Let it sit for about 72 hours. This lets the wood adjust to your home temperature and humidity so it does not expand or contract after installation. Skipping this step can lead to small gaps appearing weeks later.
Stagger the seams
Never let vertical seams line up between rows. Offset them by at least 6 inches. Our boards come in random lengths which actually makes this easy. Just avoid placing two short pieces next to each other.
How Much Does a Reclaimed Wood Accent Wall Cost?
This is one of the most common questions we get. Here is a quick breakdown based on wall size. Prices include the wood only. You will also need construction adhesive or a brad nailer, which most people already have or can pick up for under $30.
| Wall Size | Order Amount | 3.5″ Boards ($11.75/sqft) | 5.5″ Boards ($12.50/sqft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half Wall / Backsplash | 20 sqft | $235 | $250 |
| Behind TV (5ft x 7ft) | 40 sqft | $470 | $500 |
| Small Wall (6ft x 8ft) | 60 sqft | $705 | $750 |
| Medium Wall (8ft x 10ft) | 100 sqft | $1,175 | $1,250 |
| Large Wall (8ft x 14ft) | 120 sqft | $1,410 | $1,500 |
We sell in 20 square foot increments. Measure your wall (width x height) and round up to the nearest 20. Always order a little extra to account for cuts.
Orders over $200 ship free.
Ready to Get Started?
- Measure your wall (width times height) and add 10% for cuts
- Pick your width: 3.5 inch or 5.5 inch
- Order your boxes (free shipping over $200)
- Acclimate for 72 hours
- Install in an afternoon with our step-by-step guide
Questions We Hear a Lot
What room looks best with a wood accent wall?
The living room behind the TV or fireplace is the most popular and usually has the biggest wow factor. But honestly, we have never seen a room where reclaimed wood did not look good. It just fits.
How big does the wall need to be?
Any size works, but walls at least 60 square feet tend to look the most impressive. Small sections like backsplashes and half walls look great too if you keep the edges clean.
Full wall or partial?
For living rooms and bedrooms, go full wall. For kitchens, bathrooms, and offices, partial walls can look just as good and use less material.
Can I put reclaimed wood on the ceiling?
Yes. We have seen some amazing ceiling installations, especially in bedrooms. Use construction adhesive plus finishing nails for ceilings since gravity is working against you. It takes a bit longer but the result is worth it.