How to Install a Beadboard Ceiling

Adding a beadboard ceiling in a bathroom or bedroom can create a beautiful and unique feature in the room. Bead board ceilings can be easy installed with nails to the ceiling joists or a frame attached to the ceiling. This painted beadboard ceiling was easy to install in this small lake house bathroom.

When remodeling our full sized bathroom at our lake house cottage, I knew I wanted to install a beadboard ceiling to add interest to the tiny space. I was lucky enough to find this gorgeous antique beadboard at a salvage shop in Wisconsin. It had been taken out of a dairy barn that was being torn down. The “non beaded” side was actually painted white because it was the side facing out on the inside walls of the barn. I debated just installing that side face out on the ceiling, but I had my heart set on a beadboard ceiling with the groove in the middle. 

antique beadboard before installing on the ceiling

Then, I was left with the decision to leave the wood, or paint it.  I actually had fallen in love with a chippy vintage green bead board at a little shop near our cottage, and the owner was all about selling it to me. But, when I came back the next day to buy it, he didn’t want to sell it anymore. Instead, he directed me to a salvage shop next door. I was not happy, but thankfully the salvage shop was the one that had this wood!

I ended up deciding to use the original green beadboard I found as inspiration for painting my beadboard ceiling.

Painting the Beadboard Ceiling

There was no question in the type of furniture paint I would use for this project. The raw wood and the fact that I wanted a distressed, aged finished made it the perfect candidate for milk paint. Milk paint penetrates raw wood (almost like a stain) which makes it the perfect choice for washes or paint that reveals some of the natural wood grain. This post details everything you’d ever want to know about milk paint.

use milk paint on raw wood for a natural finish

I used Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint, because I love the way it creates a time-worn look naturally.  Plus, how could I not paint beadboard from a milk barn with milk paint?  I used Luckett’s Green, Linen, and Bergere without any bonding agent.

bathroom ceiling with beadboard in green, blue and white milk paint

I used clear acrylic sealer (similar to this water based polyurethane) on the top and bottom of each board. Because this is going to be installed in a bathroom, I wanted to give an extra layer of water resistance.

Update: Eight years later and the ceiling is holding up very well. We have no issues with mold or water retention in or above the wood.

Planning the Layout of the Bead Board Ceiling

First, I laid out the boards somewhat according to size (they were all different lengths when I bought them). I painted most of the board, but if I missed some places, I was okay with the look it created.  Then, I sanded the pieces down to create a weathered look.

beadboard ceiling planks painted with milk paint in blue green and white

I measured the ceiling, and then created a template with painter’s tape on the floor (you can’t quite see it under the boards in this picture, but the tape is under there!).  I tried to somewhat randomly lay out the pieces, making sure they covered the entire rectangle I taped out on the floor.  Then, I cut down the pieces along the bottom side (of the photo) to have a clean line to start each row during installation. (I cut the last piece in each row after all the other boards in the row had been installed so I had an accurate end cut.)

Installing the Beadboard Ceiling

use strips on the ceiling before installing beadboard ceiling

To prepare the ceiling, I installed furring strips (1 by 2s) to the ceiling joists with screws at every ceiling joist.  If you are installing your beadboard perpendicular to your ceiling joists, then you can skip this step!  My joists were running in the same direction that I wanted to install the beadboard panels, so I was creating a frame that the boards could be nailed into. 

Because my bead board planks were all different lengths, I had to install my furring strips fairly close together so each piece of beadboard was attached to at least one furring strip (but almost all the board are attached to two).

bathroom ceiling with beadboard planks

This beadboard uses a tongue and groove system, which helps it to stay stable and sturdy as a unit.  Because of this, I didn’t need to worry if some of my bead board plank extended past a furring strip. If you are installing barn wood or other wood pieces to the ceiling that don’t attach together, you will probably want to be sure that the end of each board falls on a furring strip (or close to it). Or, purchasing planks that will span across the entire ceiling will solve this issue as well.

To attach the bead board to the furring strips, we used a pneumatic air nailer and 1.5″ brad nails to attach each board to the furring strips. (Note – this beadboard was old, so it was at least 1/2″ thick. If yours is thinner, you may be able to use shorter nails.)

Finishing the Bead Board Ceiling

install a beadboard ceiling in the bathroom

After everything was nailed up, I installed pine cove molding to finish it off and hide any small gaps between the wood and the wall.

bathroom remodel on a budget with white subway tile, beadboard ceiling painted in green, blue and white and antique washstand sink

Here’s a view of the entire bathroom remodel. We were able to finish the entire room (including a new tub and all new tile) for under $1,000. You can see the full room and price breakdown here: budget bathroom remodel.

Because we kept everything else simple, white, and clean, I’m so glad I ended up painting the ceiling.  Although everyone in my family was skeptical to begin with, they all love it now (or at least that’s what they’re telling me).

bathroom with a beadboard ceiling painted in blue, green and white
Milk Painted Beadboard Ceiling

I also went a little crazy with the bathroom in our home and added decorative oak wood fretwork panels all over the black ceiling! You can check out the full modern bathroom remodel or see a tutorial on how to install wood fretwork in this post.

Inspired by my bathroom ceilings, I decided to pull together 25 other amazing ceiling design ideas that can be used in any room in your home to give it a unique look!

We’re changing everything in our little lake house cottage.  Feel free to take a tour:

Welcome to our Cottage!

Image Map

Jenny at Refresh Living (dev.refreshliving.com)

Post by Jenny Leads

Jenny is the voice behind Refresh Living. She has a passion for helping people to create a home they love without spending a lot of money.

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11 Comments

    1. It was a definitely more work than just painting the ceiling, but it was actually easier than I thought it would be. Thanks so much for your kind words!!

  1. Fantastic job and it look so chic, I love reclaimed wood… so excited that you revealed it! Thats not an easy job, because in my nature house they had a very hard time installing that on my ceiling because it was so uneven, and then they had to make it even…. You are very talented..

    Congrats! Hugs Maria

  2. This turned out SO great! I love the variation in the wood and the different colors you used. What a focal point in the room! Thanks so much for sharing and linking up to Friday Favorites. I’m going to feature you this coming Friday!! I took a little tour of your lakeside cabin and I’m in love. That’s my dream!

    1. Thanks, Heather! It totally is a focal point, which I’m sure isn’t for everyone, but I tried to keep everything else neutral so it didn’t get too crazy! Thanks for the feature. 🙂

  3. I saw this on Hometalk and had to come to your own blog to say what a great idea this is! I also love the execution. You’re great at this! ta

  4. Wow! I love the effect it gives, and yes you had to use milk paint…it just wouldn’t make sense otherwise! The color scheme is really adorable. Thanks for sharing with us at Welcome Home Wednesday, I really hope you decide to come back this week 🙂