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Wall Decor

DIY Faux Brick Wall from Wall Paneling: Fall One Room Challenge Week 2

October 7, 2021Building Projects, DIY Woodworking, One Room Challenge, Wall Decor

This faux brick wall is made with joint compound and wall paneling, and when you’re done with it, it looks like real german schmear.

If you missed my plan for the One Room Challenge Game Room Makeover, head there to see what this wall is becoming a part of! I’m thrilled with how this faux brick wall turned out, plus, it’s a cost effective stone wall.

This faux brick wall is made with joint compound and wall paneling, and when you're done with it, it looks like real german schmear.

Faux Brick Wall Made from Paneling

When we think of wall paneling, the old dark wood panel walls from the 80’s come to mind. But, wall paneling done right can become beautiful feature walls! Don’t believe me? Check it out.

If you read the post linked above, you know that I’m participating in the Fall One Room Challenge hosted by Better Homes and Gardens. I’m working on building a wall to wall console for video game storage and use, this faux brick wall, and some DIY shelving to make an awesome game room for my kids.

I can’t wait to see it all come together, and this feature wall was the first step! Let me break it down for you so that you can see how a blank white wall can become a white ‘brick’ wall.

This faux brick wall is made with joint compound and wall paneling, and when you're done with it, it looks like real german schmear.

What you need to make the faux brick wall:

  • brick wall panels (they come in 4’x8′ sheets, so get what you need to fit your space)
  • liquid nails or other construction adhesive
  • brad nailer (optional – you could use a hammer and nails but a pneumatic nails sinks the nails in and they become invisible)
  • circular saw or jigsaw to cut the paneling to size or cut out outlet holes etc.
  • joint compound
  • plastic taping knife
  • 120 grit sanding block
  • white paint
  • water
  • foam paint roller

How to make the faux brick wall

A brick wall panel is a chipboard panel with an acrylic coating that looks like real brick. To me, it has the shape of brick but is missing the texture and imperfection of real brick.

So, in this tutorial you will see how to layer joint compound over the brick paneling to get the texture of real brick, and the result is beautiful!

process photo of brick wall paneling installation

Step 1. Cut the brick panels to size with a circular saw or table saw.

Step 2. Measure and cut out any outlets, wall vents or other holes that you need to access on the wall behind the paneling. Do this by marking the cutout, beginning a jigsaw hole with a drill, and using a jigsaw to cut out the shape needed.

brick wall paneling

Step 3. Attach the brick wall panels to the wall with liquid nails and then secured with nails (a brad nailer makes this super easy).

joint compound and scraper
joint compound on brick wall paneling

Step 4. Use joint compound and a plastic taping knife to spread joint compound over the brick wall panel.

This is where you get the faux brick look, there isn’t a ‘right’ or ‘perfect’ way to do this, basically just keep spreading until you get the look and texture that you like.

white brick wall

Step 5. Let dry for 24 hours, then sand with a 120 sanding block to take off any rough spots or large bumps.

sanding block over brick wall

Step 6. Whitewash the brick by making a wash of 1 part white paint and 1 part water and apply with a foam roller.

white wash paint roller over brick wall

That’s it!

Tape a step back and enjoy your faux brick wall! It has the beautiful texture and color of real brick with german schmear, for much cheaper.

How much did this joint compound brick wall cost?

Alright so here is the budget breakdown for this ‘brick wall’.

Before I get to the budget, I’ll give you the dimensions so you can get an idea of how much space this budget covered.

My wall was 138″ wide and 104″ tall. This is roughly 12′ x 8′. Because I’m doing built ins on the bottom half of the wall I didn’t need to add more brick to go all the way to the floor, the 8′ was enough.

Budget breakdown:

  • (3) 4’x 8′ brick wall panels – $120
  • liquid nails – $7
  • joint compound – $16

I had the rest of the materials such as tools and paint on hand so didn’t need to purchase any of that.

Which brings the total for my faux brick wall to $143.

Just for reference, there are some amazing interior brick resources that you can use such as Brick Webb, which are thin pieces of real brick. They run around $11.50 per square foot (not including grout etc.), so for my wall that would have been $1,104 in brick alone (vs. $120).

Now, if I had the budget I would go with the Brick Webb, I’m not at all saying that it isn’t worth it, but for this project and a room that my kids use that I found old pizza crust from who knows when in, the faux brick wall is just fine 🙂

I hope this gives you the courage to try and make a faux brick wall in your home!

This faux brick wall is made with joint compound and wall paneling, and when you're done with it, it looks like real german schmear.

Check out the other posts in this One Room Challenge game room makeover

  • Week 1: Game Room Makeover Plans and Mood Board
  • Week 2: Make a Faux Brick Wall (current post)
  • Week 3: DIY Built in Gaming Console from Stock Cabinets
  • Week 4: DIY Faux Marble Countertop with Epoxy
  • Week 5: DIY Picture Frame Shelves
  • Week 6: DIY Neon LED Sign
  • Week 7: DIY Couch with Stool Seating
  • Week 8: DIY Indoor Climbing Wall
  • Final Game Room Reveal

Follow me on IG for the behind the scenes in stories!

DIY Wall Sconce from a Table Lamp

January 10, 2021DIY Home Decor, Wall Decor

A DIY wall sconce can be a great way to get some bang for your buck when decorating a space. After building the DIY built-in shelving, the side of the unit was begging for a wall sconce. Here is a great way to turn a basic desk lamp into a gorgeous wall sconce.

What a fun and beautiful DIY Home Project to work on that will be functional too!

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Find inspiration for DIY home projects and crafts on a budget! You can usually find me with either a hot glue gun or a can of spray paint in hand 🙂

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  • Installing a Tile Backsplash: DIY Corner Coffee Bar
  • Ikea Malm Hack: Flip a 2 Drawer Malm Nightstand
  • DIY Indoor Climbing Wall: ORC Week 8
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makeitwithkate

Who loves a planked ceiling? 🤚 🤚🤚 This is Who loves a planked ceiling? 🤚 🤚🤚 This is a great beginner project - details below, and highlight bubble titled “ceiling”:

🌟 unfinished pine tongue and groove from @loweshomeimprovement 
🌟 Early American and Weathered Oak stain from @varathane 
🌟  @ryobitoolsusa  sander, nail gun and miter saw 
🌟 moulding from @homedepot 
🌟 inspiration from @angelarosehome 

Steps:

1️⃣Sand and stain all of the boards, I like to layer the stains with early American first then weathered oak

2️⃣ cut boards to width

3️⃣ place them in the opposite direction of the ceiling joists with the nailer, nailing into studs as you go

4️⃣ attach moulding and caulk the seams

#diy #plankedceiling #moderntraditional #diyhomedecor #diyhomeprojects #girlswithpowertools #homedesign #halfbath #halfbathmakeover #walltreatment
Arched built-ins are done!! 🤍🤍 I love this s Arched built-ins are done!! 🤍🤍 I love this simple transformation and think it really updates this living room a bit. ➡️swipe all the way through to see the before! #diy #diybuilds #girlswithpowertools #homedesign #homedecor #livingroomdesign #moderntraditional #shediys
Back to renovating this space piece by piece, good Back to renovating this space piece by piece, goodbye carpet and hello hardwoods! Next up, updating the built ins a bit :) ⏩ swipe to see the before 😳 #diyblogger #homedecor #moderntraditional #homerenovation #bhg #houseflip #homeupdate @flooranddecor
⭐🌲⭐It's now week 82 of the #RefinishedFurni ⭐🌲⭐It's now week 82 of the #RefinishedFurnitureTour !⁣⁣⁣⁣
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We hope you will join us to connect with new artists and get inspired to refinish and style your furniture in unique ways!⁣⁣⁣⁣
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Here’s how to join!⁣⁣⁣⁣
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🎨 1. Follow Our Hosts:⁣⁣⁣⁣
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@lubblyjubblyfurniture⁣⁣⁣⁣
@click2restore⁣⁣⁣⁣
@bluewreninteriors
@khicktiques_ 
@redeemedwoodcreations 
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And Guest hosts

@lively.by.lu
@needleandbrushdecor
@ourlovelylittlefarm
@purposely_refurbished
@renata.tully
@the_shabby_pearl
@upbycris
@vintage_mimosa_fl

🎨 2. Follow the hashtag #RefinishedFurnitureTour⁣⁣⁣⁣
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🎨 3. Follow the accounts under the hashtag you find inspiring!⁣⁣⁣⁣
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🎨 4. DM a permanent host to join the tour and start connecting with new friends!⁣⁣⁣⁣
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The #RefinishedFurnitureTour will run every Monday at 12 noon EST through Wednesday at 12 noon EST.⁣⁣⁣⁣
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In addition, we will be hosting giveaways once a month for tour members! 🎉⁣⁣⁣

#refinishedfurnituretour82
Who loves a good #ikeaflip ?! 🤚 Better yet, who Who loves a good #ikeaflip ?! 🤚 Better yet, who loves a FB Marketplace/IKEA flip??!! 🤚🤚🤚 #ad Would you take a look at how this @myoverlays Gracie kit COMPLETELY transformed this piece! It looks so custom! ➡️➡️ swipe to see the before and tell me if you would think it’s the same piece!
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@myoverlays are decorative overlay panels that can be glued to drawer fronts and painted, it seriously couldn’t be easier. PLUS, they are made to fit different styles of IKEA furniture and there are so many different overlays to choose from.

🌟 use the coupon code MAKEITWITHKATE15 to get 15% off your O’verlays purchase!
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#furnitureflip #ikeahack #ikeamalm #ikeanightstand #diy #buildit #moderntraditional #girlswhobuild #restoredfurniture #fbmarketplace #marketplaceflip
🌟 WEEK 8 🌟 The game room is DONE!! This #one 🌟 WEEK 8 🌟 The game room is DONE!! This #oneroomchallenge was so much fun to participate in. I got quite a bit done in this room! Here’s a recap: .
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1️⃣ mock up and design 
2️⃣ faux brick wall 
3️⃣ built in gaming console 
4️⃣ faux marble countertop
5️⃣ picture frame shelves 
6️⃣ diy neon sign 
7️⃣ diy gaming couch
8️⃣ build a rock wall

And that’s a wrap!! You can find tutorials for all of these components on my blog (link in bio) and video walkthroughs in the highlight bubbles @betterhomesandgardens @oneroomchallenge 
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What’s your favorite part?? 
#bhgorc #oneroomchallenge #diybuilds #gameroom #playroom #girlswithpowertools #buildlikeagirl #diybabegang #diyprojects #girlswhodiy #interiordesign #moderncolonial
🌟 WEEK 7 🌟 I built a couch!!! Out of SCRAP W 🌟 WEEK 7 🌟 I built a couch!!! Out of SCRAP WOOD. Fun fact- the back of this couch, swipe to see, is made out of wood that made up built-ins in this room that I ripped out as part of my very first DIY project. That is some awesome repurposing! 
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The tutorial I used is from @homemade_modern 
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Next week is the end of this challenge, it’s been so fun! #oneroomchallenge #repurposed #diybuilds #girlswithpowertools #bhgorc #ryobitools #diyfurniture #girlswhobuild @oneroomchallenge @betterhomesandgardens
🌟 WEEK 6 🌟 I made a neon light sign!! Learni 🌟 WEEK 6 🌟 I made a neon light sign!! Learning new things is one of my favorite parts of DIY. This was a roller coaster of emotions but I’m so thrilled with how it came out!! This challenge is almost over, but I have a few more tricks up my sleeve. (Also this week, the backlit moulding!) #bhgorc #oneroomchallenge @betterhomesandgardens @oneroomchallenge #diyneonsign #ledsign #diyled #diyblogger
🌟 WEEK 5 🌟 I can’t believe we are in the f 🌟 WEEK 5 🌟 I can’t believe we are in the final stretch of the #oneroomchallenge - if I’m being honest, I’m loving the slower pace of taking this room bit by bit instead of doing it as quickly as I can. Have you enjoyed following the slower pace or are you ready for me to move on to the next space already? ▶️ this week, I’ll be making a neon LED sign 🤞- I’m excited for this!! #bhgorc @betterhomesandgardens @oneroomchallenge #gameroommakeover #kidsplayroom #builtins #brickwall #fauxmarble #paintedleather
I like to DIY, and I also love to have fun :) Foll I like to DIY, and I also love to have fun :) Follow my journey as I discover a love of power tools, and turning my builder grade colonial into a home. The real fun is in stories ;) see ya there! #diy #girlswithpowertools #diyblogger #buildlikeagirl
Psst…if you missed it in stories, these leather Psst…if you missed it in stories, these leather chairs are PAINTED! My mind has been truly blown by this. I wish you could feel them through the screen, you would never know! I used the @heirloomtraditionspaint all-in-one paint and they look updated and perfect. #oneroomchallenge @oneroomchallenge @betterhomesandgardens #bhgorc #furnitureflip #leatherchairs #diyblogger
See that sideboard over there? ▶️ swipe to see See that sideboard over there? ▶️ swipe to see what it looked like before! #furnitureflip #diyprojects #furnituremakeover
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