As somebody who has painted partitions in virtually each condo I’ve lived in as an grownup, let me say that portray sucks. I’ve discovered methods through the years to complete the job faster (I even personal a set of paint instruments!), nevertheless it’s nonetheless an extended, annoying course of that may suck up extra time than you’d count on.
Final yr I used to be privileged to develop into a home-owner, and naturally the Nice Algorithm seen and started shoving all types of dwelling makeover initiatives, merchandise, and providers onto my Instagram. (Do you know you may get a roof substitute without cost? Sure, it sounds too good to be true.) One did catch my eye, although—Wooden Veneer Hub. I noticed advert after advert clawing via my feed showcasing dwelling setups with a beautiful wooden slat accent wall. It was precisely my type of aesthetic.
The corporate guarantees simple set up—a room makeover that will not take up a laborious day of portray, and it largely delivers. As WIRED’s resident dwelling workplace product tester, I made a decision to strive these panels for my workplace. I’ve executed standing desks, workplace chairs, webcams, desk lamps, and even submitting cupboards, however by no means have I examined one thing that’d drastically change the look of my house.
Pretty Straightforward Set up
Wooden Veneer Hub’s Slatpanels, as they’re known as, comprise medium-density fiberboard strips connected to recycled felt materials with sound-dampening properties. Every field has two Slatpanels with about 9 slats per panel—you will have to measure your partitions (or ceiling!) to search out the required measurement. You possibly can select between a No End or an Oiled End possibility, and I recommend the latter—it prices a bit extra however saves you the trouble of making use of a end and protects the wooden.
I made a decision to strive them out on one wall of my dwelling workplace, like an accent wall. It took about 13 Slatpanels (I used to be despatched seven packing containers, that means I used to be left with one spare Slatpanel), and I screwed them into the studs. You possibly can set up them on prime of your baseboard, however I made a decision it appeared higher with out my baseboard, so I stripped it away. There is a tiny hole between the panels and my ground nevertheless it’s hardly noticeable. This additionally meant I did not want to chop the panels (aside from retailers and lightweight switches).
That is the difficult half—slicing out holes. I wanted to chop out a number of holes for retailers, a light-weight swap, and my mild fixture. In case you have an electrical noticed, you are already in a a lot better place than I used to be. I had a easy handsaw and no workbench, so it was troublesome to get straight strains whereas sawing off items. I used my Milwaukee Fastback knife to chop from the felt facet first, and it did a surprisingly good job. Be smarter than me and use an extended stage or ruler and tape it to the panels to maintain these strains straight. Fortunately, you must look intently to see how jagged my holes are, or at the least that is what I hold telling myself.