DIY Wall Treatments, Shelving & Cabinetry: Character Without Breaking the Bank
One of the biggest misconceptions in home decorating is that beautiful homes require expensive renovations. In reality, some of the most impactful upgrades are simply adding character to plain builder-grade walls. These projects can often be completed over a weekend and make your home feel custom instead of cookie-cutter.
Wall Treatments
Shiplap
This one is always controversial because every few years someone declares that “shiplap is out.”
Obviously, I disagree.
Shiplap is not synonymous with modern farmhouse. It’s a timeless architectural detail that has been used for generations, long before “modern farmhouse” was even a decorating style. Like any design element, it’s all about how it’s used.
When installed thoughtfully, shiplap creates a clean, interesting backdrop that adds texture without overwhelming a room. You can install it horizontally or vertically. We’ve used it both ways in several places throughout our home, and I still love it just as much today as when we installed it.
Board and Batten
Board and batten is another classic wall treatment that’s surprisingly affordable.
Using inexpensive boards and flat paneling, you can completely transform a plain wall. We installed it halfway up the walls in both our dining room and our son’s bathroom, while taking it floor-to-ceiling in our hallway.
That simple change gave an otherwise boring hallway so much more character and made it feel intentional.
Picture Frame Molding
If you want a room to instantly feel more elegant, picture frame molding is hard to beat.
It’s one of the least expensive ways to create a custom, high-end look, and it’s probably my favorite wall treatment in our home. We added it to our office, and it completely transformed the space without requiring a major renovation.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper has come a long way.
There are beautiful murals, subtle textures, classic stripes, grasscloth looks, linen textures, botanicals, and just about every pattern imaginable. I’d love to try a soft stripe or linen-look wallpaper someday.
That said, wallpaper isn’t always an inexpensive upgrade. There also aren’t many places where you can see large samples in person before purchasing, so order samples whenever possible.
One thing many people don’t realize is that you’ll often need more wallpaper than you expect because of pattern matching. Even wallpapers that appear random frequently have repeating patterns that create additional waste during installation.
Paneling
Paneling is another great option for upgrading large sections of wall without spending a fortune.
It comes in many styles, from traditional beadboard to fluted panels to brick panels. In our laundry room, we installed brick paneling and finished it with a German schmear technique for lots of texture and character.
Don’t overlook paneling just because it’s inexpensive. Installed well, it can have a huge impact.
Don’t Forget the Fifth Wall
The ceiling is often called the fifth wall, and it’s one of the most overlooked opportunities in a home.
We added decorative wood beams throughout several rooms, and they instantly made the spaces feel warmer and more custom.
Beams have been used throughout history, both structurally and decoratively, and they’re one of those design elements that work across many decorating styles. Ours are stained a warm wood tone, but they can also be painted to match the ceiling for a more subtle look or even painted a contrasting color to create a dramatic statement.
One thing I will be trying in the future is a ceiling medallion for the hanging overhead lights. They are so charming.
Shelving
Shelving is one of the easiest ways to add both beauty and function.
There are so many attractive pre-made options available today, but don’t overlook building your own. We used pre-made shelving in our pantry, but we also built custom shelves from raw wood, stained them a warm color, and installed them ourselves.
We created a freestanding shelf in our living room and replaced upper cabinetry in our kitchen with a hanging shelf, which made the space feel much lighter and more open.
And remember—you don’t have to live with builder-grade wire shelving forever.
Cabinetry
Adding cabinets may be one of the best investments we’ve made in our home.
You don’t necessarily need custom cabinetry, either. Great options are available from Lowe’s, Home Depot, IKEA, and many local cabinet suppliers.
We replaced wire shelving in our pantry with cabinets for a cleaner look and better organization. We added cabinetry and shelving in our laundry room, created a built-in coffee bar, designed custom office storage, and even gave our upstairs loft a built-in look.
Cabinets don’t just make your home prettier—they make it work better. Hidden storage helps reduce visual clutter, keeps everyday items organized, and makes your home feel calmer and more intentional.
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The Soft Suburban Philosophy
Beautiful homes aren’t built in a weekend.
They’re created one thoughtful decision at a time. Choose pieces you love. Choose pieces you love. Mix old with new. Invest where it matters. DIY when you can. Ignore trends that don’t serve you. Create a home that feels warm, welcoming, functional, and unmistakably, unapologetically, YOURS.
Timeless design isn’t about chasing trends.
It’s about creating a home that tells your story—one thoughtful project at a time.
Soft Suburban: Curated Style for Real
Cheers! Kerri
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