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Do you ever want to slide in to a picnic table design instead of stepping over the bench seat? If so, this is the picnic table for you. Check out the video above!

Things I Used in This Picnic Table Design Project:

Two Person Picnic Table Plans

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Ceilings are criminally underrated. Ever since we started color drenching and wallpapering our ceilings, we’ve been hooked. And once we adding tongue and groove ceiling planks to our upstairs hallway a few weeks ago, we couldn’t help ourselves… our living room needed it too, obviously.

I’ve been dreaming about doing a DIY shiplap ceiling in here for years. But not the farmhouse kind. I wanted these buttoned up with that traditional crown molding still having a moment.

Our living room has always felt cozy, but the flat 8-foot ceiling just… lacked personality. It was a big blank canvas begging for texture and charm, so now that we’re embarking on the living room makeover, it was the perfect time to do it.

So once we removed the old attic fan vents and the non-working ceiling speakers (bless their ’90s hearts), we finally got to tackle the ceiling upgrade I’ve had in the back of my mind since forever.

Let me tell you, it turned out even better than I pictured.

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DIY Shiplap Ceiling Tutorial (With Crown Molding)

If you’ve got a weekend (and a cordless nailer), this project is absolutely doable, even if you’re not a pro. Here’s exactly how we did it:

Supplies We Used

Here’s a quick list of everything we used for this project:

1. Remove Old Trim and Molding

We started by carefully removing the existing trim and crown molding. This gave us a clean slate and made it easier to add the new planks flush against the wall.

2. Measure Your Ceiling and Plan Layout

Measure the length and width of your ceiling to calculate how many planks you’ll need (add about 10% extra for cuts and waste). Then, using a scrap piece of plank, mark your ceiling to test the spacing. This helps avoid ending the row with an awkward sliver along your crown or fireplace.

3. Mark the Center Line

Find the center of your ceiling and snap a chalk line. Starting from the center helps keep things symmetrical and gives you more control over layout.

4. Bevel the First Plank

Cut one end of your first plank at a 45-degree angle using a miter saw. This gives a beveled edge that helps the planks join seamlessly with less visible gapping.

5. Install the First Plank

Apply construction adhesive to the back of the plank and secure it to the ceiling using 2″ 16-gauge finish nails with a cordless nailer. Screw into ceiling joists when you can for extra strength.

6. Continue Installing

Work your way out from the center, locking the edges together. We applied adhesive every 3–4 boards and continued cutting the ends at a bevel so the seams look intentional.

7. Fill the Ceiling

Continue placing and nailing the planks until the entire ceiling is covered. Expect a solid arm workout and lots of ladder time! (Maybe schedule a massage after this.)

8. Add Crown Molding (Optional)

To finish it off, we installed the old crown molding around the perimeter. If you’re installing new molding, use a coping saw for the corners to get a snug fit and nail everything into place with finish nails.

If you need help with molding, we’ve tackled this before with picture frame molding, and the process is very similar.

9. Fill, Caulk, and Dry

Use wood filler to cover all the nail holes and any visible seams. Caulk the edges where the crown meets the wall and ceiling for a smooth finish. Let everything dry completely.

10. Sand Smooth

We used a cordless drywall sander with a vacuum attachment and extension, which made the sanding process 10x faster and way less messy.

11. Prime and Paint

Once the dust was cleaned up, we primed the ceiling and painted it in Sherwin Williams Limewash, a creamy off-white that gave the space a light, warm glow.

And we painted the mantel Benjamin Moore Temptation for contrast.

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The Final Result

Now that it’s done, this ceiling definitely my favorite part of the living room. (Or at least it’s a tie with the ornate molding on the fireplace and the wall of contrasting French doors.)

It adds so much character without being overwhelming. Most importantly, our low 8′ ceiling don’t feel like cave-like. It’s one of the best ways to make a small room look bigger. The texture, the soft creamy paint, the crisp lines of the crown… it’s like the ceiling finally got invited to the party.

Next up: we’re installing the lighting (a fandelier of course), hauling the furniture back in, and adding some cozy, classic styling to match our new and improved view above.

If you’ve ever thought about doing a DIY shiplap ceiling in your home, this is your sign. You can totally do it, and the payoff is so worth it. (And if you have popcorn ceilings you want to cover up, this can do the job beautifully.)

More Ideas for Your Ceilings

Awesome job! Love the shelves. I don’t have the space, the tools, or the patience to tackle something like this. But I really love these and the fact that instead of just short straight shelves you came up with this concept that would fit in well with abstract art, whether it be wall art or sculptures. 😊👍👍

We’ve been DIY weekend warriors for well over a decade now, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that you don’t need months of free time or a giant budget to transform your home. Some of our favorite projects ever were the ones we knocked out in just a day or two: fast, fun, and surprisingly impactful.

With a long holiday weekend ahead, it’s the perfect excuse to cross a few things off that to-do list. These quick home improvement ideas are designed to be approachable, affordable, and totally doable before Monday rolls around.

Thinking about putting in your own DIY floor electrical outlet? Check out this fun DIY how-to project where I did it myself! Not easy, but not that hard!

With so many outlets in my house, why is it that I never seem to have power where I want it? I recently bought a turn table and I’d like to have power for it in the center of my living room. So now I’m trying to figure out, “How do you get power in the center of a room?”. Check out the video above to see.

Things I Used in This DIY Floor Electrical Outlet Project:

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(Most of the links listed above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting me in this way.) Note: If you do not feel comfortable, you should consider consulting a local electrician.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after years of remodeling this old colonial house, it’s that walls hold secrets. Sometimes it’s an old layer of wallpaper. Sometimes it’s questionable 1960s wiring. And sometimes, if you’re lucky, it’s an opportunity for hidden storage.

Case in point: during our current laundry room remodel, Robert and I discovered an old doorway behind a wall panel. Once we opened it up, we realized it was the perfect spot to tuck away a built-in ironing board cupboard.

Sometimes these old house quirks turn into a super functional awesome surprise!

The recessed ironing board unit we bought was designed to fit right between the studs. It’s not a “new” idea by any means. It’s a laundry room storage trick that has been used for decades, but it sparked a whole brainstorm for me of all the ways you can utilize that “dead space” in walls.

Now I can’t stop thinking about it!

So I rounded up a big list of ideas for anyone else who loves squeezing every ounce of function and character out of their home. Whether you’re short on square footage or just love the look of a built-in, here are tons of clever ways to use the space between studs.

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Everyday Living & Entryway Ideas

• Key & Mail Drop Zone – A slim, recessed organizer by the door keeps clutter from piling up on countertops.

• Hidden Charging Station – Add an outlet/USB hub inside the wall for tucking away phones and tablets.

• Umbrella or Shoe Cubby – Perfect for tall, narrow niches that don’t fit much else.

• Nightstand Niche – Skip the bulky table and build a shelf right into the wall for books, glasses, or a phone.

• Jewelry Cupboard – Instead of a jewelry box, use space between studs to make an entire cupboard hidden in your wall.

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Kitchen Uses

• Spice Rack – The classic between-stud idea that saves cabinet space and keeps spices in view.

• Pantry Shelves – Slim shelves for cans and jars tucked behind a pantry or kitchen wall.

• Knife Block Niche – A recessed magnetic strip or wooden block keeps sharp knives accessible but safe.
• Cookbook Cubby – Shallow shelves to keep favorite cookbooks off the counters. That same hidden doorway in our laundry room? It connects to our kitchen where previous owners added recessed shelves to hold cookbooks. I keep a few there along with some serving pieces.

• Wine Rack – Vertical bottle cubbies that look like built-in charm.

• Plate Rack – Display heirloom dishes (whether decorative or for functional storage).

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Bathroom & Laundry Room

• Medicine Cabinet – The tried-and-true wall storage hack.

• Shower Niche – A built-in soap and shampoo shelf that looks custom and spa-like.

• Towel Cubby – Fold towels into a recessed wall slot.

• Towel Drying Rack – Hang up towel bars recessed into the wall to allow towels to dry without getting in the way of traffic flow.

• Toilet Paper Niche – A recessed cubby right beside the toilet so you never run out of rolls.
• Toiletry Station – A spot in-reach for lotions and cotton swabs.

• Laundry Chute – If your floor plan allows, this is the ultimate between-studs luxury.
• Built-In Hamper Niche – A pull-out basket or bag hidden in the wall.

• Ironing Board Cupboard – Our newest discovery! Game-changer for laundry spaces!

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Office, Craft, & Utility Spaces

• Message Center – A recessed chalkboard, corkboard, or dry-erase panel that doubles as decor.
• Filing Cubbies – Slim vertical slots for mail, homework, or important papers.

• Craft Supply Organizer – Spools, brushes, or scissors all corralled in recessed cubbies.
• Printer/Tech Niche – Hide away the clunky electronics that clutter desks.
• In-Wall Speakers – A sleek way to bring music into a room without sacrificing surface space.

• Hidden Cleaning Supply Cabinet – Build a hidden cabinet between studs for stowing away cleaning supplies conveniently.
• Smart Home Hub – Disguised but still easy to access.
• Locking Safe – Secure valuables tucked away in a wall cavity.
• Pet Feeding Station – Recessed food and water bowls at baseboard height.

• Fold-Out Desk or Vanity – A shallow wall cavity can hide a drop-down worktop for a laptop or makeup station.
• Toy or Game Cabinet – A recessed cupboard for board games, puzzles, or Legos.
• Secret Compartments – Hidden doors behind trim, wainscoting, or artwork for a little mystery and fun.

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The next time you open up a wall, you might just find your new favorite storage solution waiting in there. Any ideas you’d add to the list?

I have a couple more ideas in my head for ways we’ll add hidden function in the laundry room. We still have a long way to go, but having the hidden ironing board checked off the list already feels like an accomplishment!

Thinking about building your own DIY Standing Desk? Thinking about building one out of scrap wood? Check out this project where I used tree cookies!

In this video I’m going to be building a sitting/standing desk. One desk that can raise up or lower to suit whatever mood I’m feeling. I’m using a Progressive Desk base, but I’m made my own top using a fallen tree limb. This one was a lot of fun and I’m really happy with the way that it turned out. Check it out above!

Things I Used in This DIY Standing Desk Project:

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(Most of the links listed above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting me in this way.)

We’ve been in a whirlwind over the past several weeks giving our laundry room a much-needed makeover, and I can finally say it’s starting to look like the room we always knew it could be!

This space has a funny backstory. When our house was built in the 1960s, this area wasn’t even a laundry room at all; it was just a little utility porch.

Somewhere down the line, previous homeowners enclosed it, and when we moved in back in 2017, we slapped some paint on the walls, laid down peel-and-stick tile, and called it “good enough.”

Can you believe this is even the same room?

We always knew it had the potential to be more. The oddly placed cabinets didn’t make sense for the footprint at all. Once I sat down and really mapped out a narrow laundry room layout, everything clicked into place. That was the total lightbulb moment.

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Maximizing Every Inch

After we demolished the entire room, we skipped drywall altogether, and hung beadboard panels instead. It gave is a couple extra inches of space to work with, and we didn’t have to deal with the time-consuming task of drywall mudding. (Plus, beadboard added tons of character!)

To make our plan work, we did have to bite the bullet and move plumbing and electrical, which cost a couple thousand dollars.

But in the process, we upgraded our very outdated electrical panel with this pretty white panel with a window, so it was worth the headache. I just placed this little potted tree in front of it, and it practically disappeared (without sacrificing safety). And when you do notice it, it actually steals the show.

From there, we tackled the rest of this narrow laundry room completely on our own, DIY style.

Now, we have:

• 5 wall cabinets
• 1 floor-to-ceiling cabinet
• 3 lower cabinets
• A butcher block countertop

…which is officially more storage than we know what to do with. I even plan to add this removable countertop over our front-loading washer and dryer so we can fold clothes easily but still access the hookups when needed.

(By the way, I did more research than I care to admit, and it turns out this LG washer and this LG dryer are the top rated by Consumer Reports. So I’m sold. I never thought I’d want a front-loading washer again, but I’m a fan of this one.)

We carved out even more functionality by installing an inset folding ironing board cabinet and a wall-mounted drying rack.

Next up, we’ll build a sliding broom cupboard like this and tuck away a hidden folding footstool in the sliver of space left beside the cabinets. Robert and I are both 5’7″, so a little boost helps to reach the upper cabinets.

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The IKEA Cabinet Solution

We used IKEA Sektion cabinets with Bodbyn off-white doors for the bulk of the storage. To keep the space from feeling closed in, I chose glass-front uppers. Somehow, the light reflecting off that glass tricks the eye and makes this narrow laundry room layout feel a lot more open and airy.

One of our lower cabinet doors was out of stock when we installed everything, so I hung up a little ticking stripe café curtain as a temporary cabinet skirt. But now? I love the charm of it so much, I might just keep it. What do you think?

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Flooring That Lasts

For the floor, we installed STAINMASTER luxury vinyl plank in the color Olympia Oak. It’s waterproof, scratch-resistant, and absolutely perfect for a laundry room that needs to take a beating.

We’ve installed LVP multiple times, and it remains one of our favorite DIY projects because it’s so simple and foolproof.

Lola can splash her water bowl all over it, and I won’t bat an eye.

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Finishing Touches Still to Come

The makeover isn’t completely finished just yet. I still want to hang some laundry room art, and I’m toying with the idea of adding gathered fabric behind the glass cabinet doors for a pop of color and vintage-style charm while hiding items stored behind them. But even in its current state, this space is a totally new room.

It’s hard to believe this same space used to be such a catchall for clutter. Now, it’s a workhorse of a narrow laundry room layout that makes me want to actually keep up with laundry. (Okay, almost.)

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Sources

Here’s everything we’ve used in our laundry room so far:

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Catch Up on Our Laundry Room Progress

If you’ve missed any of our past updates, you can see the progress we’ve made along the way and the laundry room inspirations that started it all:

This room has come such a long way, and I can’t wait to share the final reveal with you soon!

Thinking about doing your own workshop remodel? Check out this project where I plan out my demolition, layout, and ideas for my new workshop!

Shop #3!! I might have a problem 🙂

I’m about to renovate my third shop! Check out the video above so I can bring you in, show you around and tell you about my plans.

Things I Used in This DIY Workshop Remodel Project:

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(Most of the links listed above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting me in this way.)

When we first gutted our laundry room down to the studs, drywall seemed like the obvious next step. It’s what we’ve always done. But as we stared at those bare studs, tape measures in hand, it dawned on us that drywall wasn’t actually our best option.

In a room this tight, every inch counts. Adding drywall would’ve stolen valuable space from our cabinet layout, and when you’re already trying to squeeze storage into a narrow laundry room, two inches is like gold.

On top of that, we were way behind schedule and the thought of drywall sanding made my eyes twitch. If you’ve ever lived through that dust, you know it lingers in your house for weeks.

That’s when beadboard came into the picture. We realized it could solve all of our problems at once:

• It’s thinner than drywall, so we wouldn’t lose cabinet space.
• It installs quickly without the mudding, taping, or tons of sanding.
• And best of all, it instantly adds that vintage cottage charm we love.

So beadboard it was. And honestly? It might have been one of the best DIY decisions we’ve ever made.

Related: DIY Shiplap Ceiling With Crown Molding

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Related: How to Install DIY Stair Wainscoting the Easy Way

How We Installed Our Beadboard Wall

Disclaimer: Make sure you use fire-rated MDF or PVC beadboard and check your local building codes before starting this project.

Step 1: Measuring and Cutting

We measured the wall height, marked it on the panels, and cut them to size. A circular saw handled the big cuts, and a jigsaw worked perfectly around outlets. Nothing fancy, just straightforward cuts that came together surprisingly quickly.

Step 2: Prepping the Wall

Before hanging the first panel, we used a stud finder to mark out the studs with a pencil. This step is key because the nails need to grab into solid wood, not just open space.

Step 3: Installing the Panels

We spread construction adhesive on the back of the panel, pressed it against the studs, and followed up with finishing nails along the lines we marked. The first panel clicked into place so easily. By the end of the afternoon, we had all the walls covered.

Related: Inexpensive DIY Batten Wall Using Lattice Strips

Step 4: Caulking the Seams

The beadboard itself looked great right away, but caulk is what makes it look seamless. We ran a bead of caulk in the corners and where panels met, smoothed it with a finger, and suddenly it all looked intentional, like it had always been there. Then we just covered nail holes with wood filler and sanded smooth.

Related: DIY Faux Wall Planking for $20

Step 5: Painting for the Finish

Once the caulk dried, we rolled on a coat of paint to match the trim. The vertical lines of the beadboard gave the whole space more height and character.

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Why We’d Choose Beadboard Again

This project was exactly what we needed in the middle of a chaotic remodel, fast, affordable, and instantly charming. Skipping drywall saved us time, space, and a whole lot of cleanup. It’s officially my favorite DIY shortcut. Instead of a plain box of a room, our laundry room has a wall treatment that feels classic and custom.

Related: DIY Faux Brick Walls

Sometimes as DIYers, we learn the hard way that the “easy” route isn’t actually easier. But in this case, the shortcut really was the smarter path. Beadboard gave us the look we wanted without the headache, and I’d choose it over drywall again in a heartbeat.