Easy DIY Accent Wall with Repurposed Shelf and Trim

If you are looking to add an accent wall, check out this upcycled, repurposed shelf idea. I’m sharing how to add an inexpensive, easy wood accent wall to your home using a repurposed thrift store shelf.

We have been remodeling our beach cottage, and once the remodel was coming together, there was one problem area.

This side wall didn’t have room for furniture because of the sofa, and I decided the space would benefit from an accent wall. I found a hardwood pegboard shelf while thrifting. It was the perfect size for this space, and with a little creative repurposing, it made the perfect topper for the accent wall.

This is an easy and inexpensive way to make a huge impact on a problem area in your home.

This corner piece that held the TV was previously on the opposite wall. The cabinet was moved to another spot in the room, leaving this corner empty.

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Repurposed Shelf – Wood Accent Wall

This project began with a repurposed solid wood thrift store shelf for only $7.50. Fortunately, it was almost exactly the size needed for the accent wall.

Although the dated heart cutout needed to go, I knew it would be an easy fix.

In addition, I planned to paint the shelf so mixing the materials wouldn’t be a problem.

How To Repurpose The Wood Shelf

First, we need to get rid of the heart peg rack.

Brad loosened the rack from the brackets with a flathead screwdriver and a hammer.

Next, he cut the nails using a Saw All with a metal cutting blade.

This allowed the support brackets to remain in place and easily removed the rail.

How To Make The Shelf Fit The Accent Wall

Since the bracket placement was perfect for the wood accent wall, Brad cut the excess wood from the ends using a Ryobi jig saw.

I still wanted a peg rack on the shelf, so we cut another piece of wood to fit where the previous peg rack had been and attached it with nails.

After carefully measuring the shaker peg placement, we used a Ryobi Cordless Drill to drill seven holes for the pegs.

The shaker pegs were attached to the repurposed shelf with wood glue. Now, the top of the accent wall is complete, and we are ready to add additional wood and create our accent wall.

Building Wood Accent Wall

First, we purchased 5- 1 x 3 x 6 pine boards to use as trim pieces, and I had some trim paint mixed to match the French Linen Shade of Chalk Paint I had used on some of the furniture in the cottage.

In addition, to avoid getting trim paint on the newly painted walls, I painted the edges of the boards that meet the walls before attaching them.

Measure for the accent wall trim boards

Next, using a tape measure and a level, measure and mark the placement of the trim pieces. We added one trim piece at the top of the wall horizontally, and the remaining four pieces were installed straight up and down vertically.

Also, the wooden shelf was previously painted to speed up the installation. Using wood screws, the shelf was screwed to the wall just below the top trim board.

Next, the vertical trim boards were cut to attach under the shelve and down to the baseboard. They were easily attached using finishing nails.

The entire wall, within the accent area, was painted with the accent color paint that was a custom mix.

Added Depth To Room With Accent Wall

Initially, I was concerned that the darker accent wall would make the room feel smaller. However, the opposite was true.

The accent wall actually adds so much depth to the room.

Now it’s time to decorate and add the bench to the accent wall.

Adding a Storage Bench

This Shoe Bench Storage Cabinet from Vasagle Furniture was added to complete the wall and add much-needed storage.

The storage bench holds extra books, magazines, games, and photos and provides seating if needed.

It’s the perfect petite size for the limited space in the beach cottage.

Decorate the Wood Accent Wall

The DIY Nautical Mirror I shared earlier this week is perfect for the accent wall.

The wall shelf, shaker pegs, and storage bench all combine to hold a combination of paintings, vintage pieces, and thrifted finds.

Several DIY accessory pieces have been added to decorate the wall seasonally. The DIY Oyster Shell and Cork Garland looks good year-round, while the Upcycled Can Star Garland is perfect for our patriotic holidays.

The previously difficult-to-decorate wall now holds many treasured pieces, adding depth to the tiny room.

I hope you enjoyed seeing how easy it is to add a Wood Accent Wall. It’s amazing how this wall changes the feel within the tiny cottage.

More Budget-Friendly Remodel Ideas

See additional projects for the Tiny House Beach Cottage Remodel.

• Tiny House Ideas for Beach Cottage Before & After
• 7 Creative Small Bedroom Ideas
• How To Build An Open Kitchen Cabinet
• Thrifted Coastal Farmhouse Decor on a Budget
• How to Make A DIY Nautical Mirror
• How To Use Wall Stencil To Create Faux Wallpaper
• Small Bathroom Budget-Friendly Remodel for under $500.
• Clever Ways To Add Lighting Without Wiring
• DIY Oyster Shell and Cork Garland

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