Sometimes when you’re squeezed for space, there’s nowhere to build but up. Just ask Sada and Reagan Lewis. The entryway of their 1950s ranch, in San Antonio, didn’t boast much square footage—or character, for that matter. The couple dreamed of making it a functional foyer with space to store their gear, since they already knew that their lone, overstuffed hall closet wasn’t cutting it. Sada’s “aha” moment came after she discovered a fellow blogger’s solution to the same problem: a custom board-and-batten wainscot that provides a landing zone for coats and bags without taking up a lot of space.
Wainscot Building Details
Within the week, the couple had sketched out plans for a new-and-improved entry, with hooks for their essentials and a ledge to display artwork. Sada had lumber cut to size at the home center, and Reagan screwed pine 1x3s and 1x6s right over the drywall, then made the display shelf from a 1×3 on top of upside-down base-cap molding. Sada married the pieces with white paint and dressed the ledge with photos and decorative items they had on hand. A new light fixture was the final touch, adding a subtle pop of color. Now Sada loves her entry, adding, “The extra organization is just a bonus!”
Pro Tip: To maximize function in minimal square footage, the couple hung hooks at different heights—accommodating both adults and kids—so everyone in the family has a designated spot for coats, hats, and bags. Building upward rather than outward made the best use of this tight space while keeping the walkway clear.
The Project Tally
• Used pine 13s and 16s to create board-and-batten-style paneling and topped it with a display shelf $60
• Filled screw holes with wood filler; caulked the assembly and painted it with latex left over from a previous project $10
• Hung hooks at different heights to accommodate lots of items $17
• Replaced the old builder’s-basic light fixture with a new punched-metal pendant $70
• Topped the display ledge with photos and accessories the couple had on hand, then finished the space with an entry rug $20
Total: $177
Pro Tip: When finishing board-and-batten paneling like this, don’t skip the detail work. As This Old House general contractor Tommy Silva has advised on similar wainscoting projects, take the time to sand primed moldings, fill any holes, and caulk gaps on both the outside and inside edges—especially against walls with imperfections. That careful prep work is what makes an inexpensive pine project look like a custom installation.
