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Open layouts are a popular design choice for modern homes, as they create a sense of space and fluidity. However, they can sometimes pose a challenge when it comes to defining and separating different areas within the same room. One effective and aesthetically pleasing solution is to add a faux beam. This beginner-level project can enhance the visual appeal of your space while providing a subtle boundary.
Supplies
Lengths and quantities will vary depending on the project size.
- 2- 1×6’s
- 2- 1×4’s
- 1 3/4″ wood screws
- drill
- 18 gauge brad nailer
- 2″ brad nails
- Stain of your choice (here is what I used)
How to build a faux ceiling beam:
Locate the studs
The first thing we did was locate the studs in our ceiling and mark them off with a pencil. We then used 1-3/4 wood screws to secure the 1X6 board to the ceiling. We used Nordic Pine from Lowe’s for this project.
Build the beam
Next, we built the bottom portion of the beam by connecting the bottom 1X6 board to the two side boards which are 1X4’s into a U like shape. We have 8 foot ceilings so I went with a 1×4’s for the sides to avoid making them seem too low. If I had higher ceilings I may have used 1×6’s on the sides as well.
To connect them to the ceiling board, we used a brad nailer with 18 gauge nails.
Finally, we connected the bottom piece that we just created to the top board that was connected to the ceiling. Once again we connected these separate pieces with 18 gauge nails from our brad nailer.
Repeat this process to complete the length of the room.
Stain the beam
The final step in this was selecting and applying the stain. For this project we used General Finishes Gel Stain in Java.
Note: Staining the wood first would have made this step easier and I would stain the boards before installing for future projects.
Cost Breakdown
(Tools not included)
Lumber $70
Gel Stain $30
Total Cost $100