Looking at materials differently can ultimately yield some fantastic room decor on the cheap. For example, a few bundles of inexpensive wood lath, some stain, a few nails, and you've got yourself a stylish wall for less!

Step 1: Before

This poor guest bathroom has seen so many changes and yet none of them ever seemed quite right. That is, until I spotted some $15 bundles of wood lath at the home improvement store.

After some quick math which was hard as math is no longer a strong suit, I grabbed two full bundles and a couple extra loose pieces for this particular project.

Step 2: Staining

I tested out various stains and didn't hit upon the look I wanted until I thinned out the stain with some paint thinner. Now it's a custom color! But really, the color at full strength was too strong.

I stained each wood lath individually by hand. Yes it did take a while but in the end it was totally worth it.

Step 3: Time to Install

This bathroom is not used very often so I didn't seal the wood but it can most certainly be sealed for ease of cleaning and moisture repellence.

Right off the bat, I ran into my first installation dilemma, the toilet water connection. No big deal, I cut around it accordingly.

Step 4: Spacing

I used a paint stir stick to create a gap between the wood lath strips for several reasons, mainly for a cool look but also to give the wood room to do its wood thing.

I merely nailed the lath strips onto the wall with a brad nailer.

Step 5: Going Up

I was sure to cut the wood lath strips into different lengths so that the pattern would be offest and not the same all the way up.

Step 6: Obstacles

Going around the switch and outlet was a bit tricky but as you can see, I had a built-in guide of old paint to show me the way.

Be sure to swing by the blog to find out how I resolved the new difference in depth with the switch cover plate.

Step 7: Last Step: Enjoy

For less than fifty bucks, I had a brand new wall, a high-end chic look at a fraction of the price, and all sorts of textural excitement.

Introduction: Cheap Yet Chic Wood Lath Wall