Welcome Wall Wonders: From Blank Canvas to Functional Fabulousness
If you've ever felt uninspired by a bland, empty wall in your entryway, this blog is for you.
Let's dive into this DIY makeover that proves even the smallest spaces can have a big impact!
Ever walked into a house and been greeted by a wall so uninspired, it seemed to whisper, “Please give me a purpose”? Well, that was the story of our entryway—a vast, echoey space that greeted guests with all the warmth of a corporate lobby. Buckle up as we turn this blank slate into a bustling, functional welcome center that actually says, "Hello, gorgeous!"
The Tale of the Titanic Wall
Echo, Echo on the Wall Our story begins with a wall—vast, blank, and about as inviting as a dentist’s waiting room. Positioned right inside our front door, this wall could have won awards for 'Most Likely to Induce Yawns.' It was time to roll up our sleeves and infuse some life into this lifeless entry.
Drafting Dreams: Blueprint Bliss
From Flatline to Fabulous Faced with the perennial where-do-I-put-my-shoes dilemma and a desperate need for a 'put on your shoes' bench, it was clear we needed a change. Channeling my inner architect, I sketched out a design that would bring order and style to our chaotic welcomes. Enter the board and batten plan—more than just wood strips, it was a strategy for serenity.
Carpentry Chronicles: Birth of the Bench
IKEA Hack or High Fashion? You Decide Transforming an IKEA Kallax shelf from a humble book hoarder into an elegant entryway bench was our first act of alchemy. Turned on its side and perched atop a custom-made throne (okay, a sturdy base), this once simple shelf was about to become the Cinderella of shoe storage.
Battling the Batten: Wall Wars
The Great Texture Debate In the great board and batten battle, there are two camps: the purists who scrape and sand their days away, and the pragmatists who opt for a shortcut with thin project panels. I chose sanity over scrapers, opting for the less messy, equally effective method. Ensuring that every board was flush and fabulous took a mixture of patience and persistence—and a whole lot of measuring tape. Caulk, wood filler, and a steady hand transformed our collection of panels and planks into a seamless masterpiece of home improvement.
Artistic Aspirations: The Paint and Stain Game
Brushstrokes of Genius The transformation wasn’t just about structure; it was also about shade. Urbane Bronze by Sherwin Williams swept across our new woodwork with the drama of a Broadway curtain, turning the wall from 'meh' to 'marvelous.' To add a dash of organic opulence, I stained wood accents with a Varathane Carrington tone, ensuring they radiated warmth and welcomed everyone with a woodsy embrace.
Storage Solutions: A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place
Secret Storage and Seating Solutions Our new bench was more than just a pretty face; it hid multifunctional secrets. Beneath its sturdy surface, baskets awaited to swallow shoes, scarves, and school bags, while above, hooks hung ready for jackets and joys of the outside world.
The Big Reveal: A Wall That Finally Talks Back
From Wallflower to Wow-Factor As the final touches were laid, our entryway underwent a Cinderella transformation, proving that even the blandest spaces can become beautiful with a bit of vision and a lot of DIY determination. Our once-empty wall now buzzes with activity, organization, and style, proving that functional can also be fabulous. Now, every time we swing open the door, we’re not just stepping inside; we’re making a grand entrance into a space that's as functional as it is fetching. Here’s to making every entry remarkable, one plank at a time!
Product List
Home Depot
Wood Strips (various sizes)
Sherwin Williams
Urbane Bronze in Semi-Gloss
Ikea
Kallax Shelf Unit
Amazon