Home Improvement Ideas Molding & Trim Installation & How-To How to Install Beadboard Change the look of a room in a weekend—or your whole house in a few weekends—with easy-to-find and easy-to-install beadboard. Here's how to install beadboard. By Kelly Roberson Kelly Roberson Website With extensive experience writing for home design and architectural magazines, Kelly Roberson is a seasoned pro. She has more than 20 years of experience writing for home and garden brands.As a freelance writer for more than 13 years, Kelly was a project manager, editor, and writer for a long list of magazines, including many gardening, home design, and holiday crafts titles. Today she works in developing creative content for marketing clients in a number of industries, including financial planning.Kelly Roberson graduated from Drake University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on March 23, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Found in a variety of home styles—traditional, beach, and cottage style, to name a few—beadboard, also called wainscoting, can add character and welcome detail to a range of rooms. And adding beadboard isn't that complicated of a project, either. With a few key tools and some essential steps, you can transform your home. Here's how to install beadboard. Bonus: More Pretty Trimwork Ideas What You Need Measuring tool (yardstick, ruler, measuring tape, etc.)LevelChalkBeadboard panelsCircular sawHole sawConstruction adhesiveBrad nailerNailsTrimPaint, for trim (optional)Finishing nailsCaulk Step 1: Establish the Beadboard's Top Line No matter the age of your home, floors tend to settle and shift, even by fractions of an inch. Those small increments can impact both the visual appearance and the installation of beadboard. To counteract any house shifting, you'll establish a level line at the top of the beadboard. Start by picking a side wall and measuring up from the floor to the intended height of the beadboard. That's your starting spot. Use a level and a chalk line (not a measurement from the floor) to mark a continuous level line around the room. Step 2: Cut and Adhere Beadboard Next, you'll need to cut individual pieces of the beadboard—which is sold as large sheets of paneling—to fit around the room. Cut the paneling piece-by-piece with a circular saw. You will also need to use a hole saw to make any openings, such as for electrical outlets. Then begin to install beadboard pieces from your starting spot. Once one piece is cut, apply construction adhesive to the back of the beadboard paneling piece. Then, place on the wall, using the continuous top-level line as your guide. Attach the next piece, matching the groove and tongue of adjacent pieces as you go. Use a brad nailer and nail from the center edge of each piece out to the corners. Step 3: Add Trim, Chair Rail, or a Baseboard After you've attached all pieces of beadboard, you can add trim to the top and bottom to give it a finished look. Many homeowners finish with simple quarter-round trim, but more intricate assemblies work as well. You can also purchase pre-painted trim, or paint it yourself. Measure the top and bottom of the beadboard and cut trim pieces to match. Miter any corners and install the top and then the bottom of the trim pieces, using finishing nails. Fill the nail holes and any gaps with caulk. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit