Bead Board Paneling

One of the most versatile materials that you can work with when doing home improvements, renovations, and decorating, is bead board paneling. Bead board paneling can be used in nearly any room of your home and provides a charming escape from boring wall paper and similar wall coverings.

No matter where your decorating tastes lie - from Victorian farmhouse décor to the look of a rustic lake house or cottage, bead board paneling may provide just the desired look you are trying to achieve.

Bead Board Paneling - Early Uses

Bead board came into use during the late part of the 19^th century and the early 20^th century, with widespread use being seen in hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens throughout America.

Originally used to protect the paint on walls in high traffic areas, bead board panels were applied at a chair rail high or higher and were made of leftover wood that was joined to form the actual panels of bead board.

Customizable Bead Board Paneling for Your Home

Bead board paneling is easy and fun to personalize and "make it your own" - by painting or staining, or you can purchase pre-stained or pre-painted bead board. Bead board is commonly made from a variety of different woods, which makes it affordable for even the most meager of budgets.

Commonly used woods for bead board include oak, fir, cedar, pine, and wood composite materials.

Decorating your Home with Bead Board Paneling

Because bead board is easy to clean with just a swipe of a damp cloth, it is a perfect material to use nearly anywhere in the home. Bead board paneling adds vintage charm to any room, so it's perfect for bedrooms, bathroom, and other spaces in the home where you want to create a vintage feel.

The vertical lines of beadboard draw the eye upward to create a sense of space, which makes it perfect for smaller rooms that are more closed in to give a sense of greater size.

Tips for Decorating with Bead Board Paneling

Decorating with Vintage Bead Board Paneling

If you live in an older home, you may have some of the most beautiful bead board lying beneath other materials on your walls, such as layers of paint and wallpaper. This vintage bead board paneling can be easily stripped and varnished to restore it to its once beautiful glory. Because bead board of yesteryear was made with "old growth" trees that are not readily available today, it would be impossible to find beadboard of the same quality on the market today at any price. Want to find old growth bead board paneling for your newer home? Check with a local architectural salvage company - but be prepared to pay a hefty price tag for this type of bead board paneling - but it can be worth every penny for the quality.

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