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How to Easily Build a Freestanding Wall with Style

May 9, 2023 by Brooke Larsen · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

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Learn to build a freestanding wall with a vintage wallpaper accent.

A freestanding wall project is the perfect solution for creating a backdrop for just about anything! From standalone walls for your home office to a personal privacy wall, a freestanding type of wall can help in different situations. With a few supplies and basic construction skills, you can have a beautiful and functional DIY freestanding wall design in no time.

We'll discuss materials and tools needed, provide step-by-step instructions for building, and go over some design ideas to help spark your creativity. So, if you've been wanting to add an eye-catching feature to your home and don't have a lot of money or time, this guide is for you!

How to Easily Build a Freestanding Wall with Style

Why Build A Temporary Wall?

I have been wanting to build a freestanding wall as a backdrop for my furniture. Tearing my house apart every time to stage and take pictures of a piece of furniture takes a toll on our home, plus it is a lot of work. Having free standing walls is also a good idea when selling at boutiques and markets because it is a cheap option that can help spice up your space.

  • Use it as a partition wall
  • Use for a freestanding shower wall
  • Privacy screen
  • Backdrop for pictures
  • Element of home decor

Different Finishes for a Freestanding Wall

When creating your wall, consider different types of walls and what kind of finishing touches you plan on using. Here are a few options to think about for your partition wall.

  • A shiplap wall
  • Painted wall in color of your choice
  • Lattice wall design
  • Pegboard panel wall
  • Wallpaper wall mural, peel and stick or traditional
  • Pallet wood wall

I wanted my wall to have its own character to add a touch of vintage. I found the perfect backdrop using vintage wallpaper.

plywood wall

How to Build a Freestanding Wall

You can build your own freestanding wall with minimal supplies. Here is what you need for a solid base. Find most of these items at a hardware store like Home Depot.

Supplies

  • (2) ⅔ inch thick 4'x8' birch plywood
  • 6 metal studs 9 feet long
  • (1) 2'x4'
  • Screws and a drill
  • Primer
  • 4 rolls of wallpaper

Prime Your Plywood

First, prime your entire wall.  I used Kilz latex primer. Your primer will be white, but I had this tinted for a previous project.

How to Easily Build a Freestanding Wall with Style

Add Metal 2x4s

Next step, add your metal 2x4s.  I am not very fond of working with metal studs but they are much lighter than wood 2x4s, making these panels easier to move around.

Place one metal stud on each of the outside edges and line it down the length of your wall. You will also place one down the center of both the sheets of plywood. To hold the studs in place screw them to the plywood. You can see the screws coming through below.

metal 2x4's

Add Support Pieces

Adding support pieces to the back of the wall is necessary so it doesn't fall over backwards. We cut wood 2x4s at precise angles and screwed them to the middle of each metal 2x4, but you can also use other options that will be more sturdy for longevity.

How to Easily Build a Freestanding Wall with Style

How to Add Wallpaper to Your Freestanding Wall

When your wall is completely built, it is time to add your wallpaper or what ever design you choose to make it more decorative.

Lay Out Your Wallpaper

Begin by laying out your selection of wallpaper. I wanted my wall to look like it has several years of layered wallpaper peeling off, so I used random pieces.

vintage wallpaper

Apply Wallpaper

Once you have your wallpaper laid out you can start applying it.  To apply your wallpaper use the instructions that came with it. Start at the top of the wall and make sure you are overlapping the wallpaper so you can rip it off later.

How to Easily Build a Freestanding Wall with Style
how to install vintage wallpaper

Rip Wallpaper

Once you have the wallpaper on and all the air and bubbles are out, begin to rip the wallpaper in various places while it is still wet.  Continue to do this across the entire wall.  Once you have completed this process, let it dry over night.

How to Easily Build a Freestanding Wall with Style

Build a Freestanding Wall DIY

And now you have a beautiful backdrop instead of traditional walls for your freestanding wall DIY. This wall is a great option for adding style and character to a room, while also serving for practical functions.

How to Easily Build a Freestanding Wall with Style

Happy DIYing!

Brooke

 

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About Brooke Larsen

Hello Friends! I love anything DIY and home decorator! On my blog I hope you will find home inspo. Whether it is for your next DIY project or home decor. If I can do it, anyone can!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathy says

    March 07, 2016 at 1:14 am

    Beautiful!!

    Reply
  2. Christina says

    March 07, 2016 at 1:16 am

    Love this! It really looks like a wall thats been around for years and love how you chose subtle colors that don't compete with your furniture! Might borrow/steal this idea on a smaller scale to photo my art for my online store.
    Linking up from the DIY My Spring hop
    Cheers

    Reply
  3. Lindsay Eidahl says

    March 07, 2016 at 1:43 am

    Such a great idea! Love it!

    Reply
  4. Cecilia MyThriftStoreAddiction says

    March 07, 2016 at 1:49 am

    This is fabulous! Visiting from the Spring Blog Hop!

    Reply
  5. Cindy diy beautify says

    March 07, 2016 at 2:24 am

    This is so beautiful! I too struggle with not having space for staging furniture, and this is a fantastic solution!

    Reply
  6. Meegan says

    March 07, 2016 at 2:44 am

    Gorgeous piece! I love your talents and your blog.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  7. Patti says

    March 07, 2016 at 11:32 am

    What a clever idea! Very shabby chic and looks great with your dresser!

    Reply
  8. Sadie Seasongoods says

    March 07, 2016 at 12:31 pm

    Ok, this is seriously fantastic- I've been thinking of making different backdrops for my photos, too, but never ONCE thought of using vintage wallpaper- what a "DUH!" moment for me. 🙂 LOVE. IT. Happy #DIYMySpring!

    Reply
  9. julie nichols says

    March 07, 2016 at 1:25 pm

    Beautiful idea! Love it! Visiting from the blog hop.

    Reply
  10. Holly says

    March 08, 2016 at 12:08 am

    HI Brooke - I'm totally crushing on this wallpaper! Visiting as a fellow contributor to #DIYMySpring. Hope your week is full of sunshine! Hugs, Holly

    Reply
  11. Maria Gonzalez says

    March 08, 2016 at 12:26 am

    Thank you for sharing this! It turned out beautiful!

    Reply
  12. Claire says

    March 08, 2016 at 7:13 am

    I want one of these walls ! Great for photo backdrops. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  13. Michele says

    March 08, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    What a fun project!! I would love to do this in my shop space....!! 😉

    Reply
  14. Angie @ Knick of Time says

    March 09, 2016 at 12:32 pm

    I've been meaning to build a free standing wall too - I love how yours turned out! I don't have a great space in my house to photograph larger things,and I get so tired of rearranging everything to do it. Yours has inspired me to get it done!

    Reply
  15. Mary-the boondocks blog says

    March 11, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    What a lovely project. It turned out so vintagey and just perfect for the purpose you intended. And of course it is just right for the blog hop. Happy Spring from a fellow blog hopper.

    Reply
  16. Jen @ Girl in the Garage says

    March 14, 2016 at 4:33 pm

    Brooke, this is gorgeous! I really need some kind of portable backdrop like this for my projects.

    Reply
  17. Rebecca Holt says

    July 11, 2017 at 12:39 am

    Hello! I love this and have a quick question- how did you "screw the 2x4's" into the back brackets? I am looking to make something like this and love how easy this version is! Thanks!

    Reply
  18. Ginger says

    August 05, 2017 at 2:30 am

    Do you think your wall will hold up if used for paper flower backdrop? Adding material and paper flowers? Is this pretty sturdy? Very nice idea.

    Reply

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Hi I am Brooke I am an avid DIY-er and home decorator! I share home inspo and all of my DIY projects with step-by-step directions. I sprinkle in a few recipes to help out all of us busy moms too. If I can do it, so can you!

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