In the quiet corners of my home office, over the past few months, a transformation has been taking place. I’ve been crafting an accent wall that’s nothing short of epic, a project that has slowly come to life, and I couldn’t be more excited to share the finished masterpiece with you. I’ve been giving little sneak peeks on Instagram, and many of you have watched this faux living wall evolve from a mere idea into a vibrant, eye – catching feature.
Now that it’s been about a month since I completed it, I’m ready to not only take you on a mini office tour but also spill the beans on how I created this DIY wonder. I think this faux living wall could be a stunning addition to any home or office. It would even look amazing in a retail space, adding a touch of nature and charm. And for all the aspiring plant enthusiasts out there who, like me, have a bit of a track record with plant casualties (I’m raising my hand sheepishly), this project is the perfect solution.
Of course, every space is unique, and if you decide to embark on your own faux living wall adventure, there are a few things you might need to adjust. The type of wall material you have – whether it’s drywall like mine, or something more challenging like concrete or brick – will make a difference. And the size of the wall you want to cover also plays a crucial role. But I’m here to share exactly what I used and the steps I took to bring my vision to life.
Let’s start with the supplies. You’ll need astroturf to create the base, 3/8 x 2 project (pine) board to frame the top and bottom of the wall, wall anchors or long drywall screws depending on the presence of studs, hex netting (usually found in the outdoor section for chicken fences), a power drill, a box cutter, a wire cutter, a staple gun with staples, an abundance of faux plants, and some dark green or black pipe cleaners.
Determining the right amount of faux plants was the biggest mystery for me. It’s not something you can easily measure. I knew the square footage of my wall, but predicting how much coverage various faux leaves, vines, and other plants would provide was a shot in the dark. So, I took a gamble. During a Memorial Day sale at Michael’s, I stocked up on a ton of faux plants, making sure the return policy was generous. I even used an additional coupon I had received in the mail. In the end, I spent around $800 on faux plants, and after the project was complete, I returned about $300 worth. Along with the other supplies (excluding tools), which cost $120, the total cost of this wall came to around $620. My wall is approximately 90 square feet, though calculating precisely was a bit tricky due to its slant and the presence of two windows. But this should give you an idea of the investment involved. It’s not the cheapest project, so consider starting small, like making a headboard or tackling a smaller wall if the cost gives you pause.
Now, onto the steps. The first step is to line the wall with the project board. Think of it as creating a sturdy frame that will support the astroturf and netting. You could attach everything directly to the wall, but I wanted to add an extra layer of strength and make future removal easier (even though I plan to enjoy this wall for a long time, I know my ever – changing tastes might lead to a future makeover). Use wall anchors or drywall screws, keeping in mind that this frame will bear a significant amount of weight once all the faux plants are added.
Next, it’s time to hang the astroturf. We laid long strips of it across the wall and secured it to the newly installed wood trim using a staple gun. Then came the tricky part of cutting out sections for the windows, an outlet, and around a wall vent. If your wall is free of such obstacles, this step will be a breeze. We waited to staple the bottom edge of the astroturf until after we had made all the necessary cuts to ensure a clean fit.
After the astroturf is in place, it’s time to add the netting. We hung it in strips over the astroturf, focusing on areas where we planned to attach the plants, like over the seams. Just like with the astroturf, we stapled the netting to the top and bottom trim.
Finally, the most fun part – adding the faux plants to the netting. Many of the plants can be easily tucked or hooked into the netting. But for heavier ones or those that tend to sag, a small piece of pipe cleaner does the trick. Tie the plant securely to the netting, making sure to hide the pipe cleaner so that the wall looks like a real, living masterpiece. I experimented with green floral wire too, but I found pipe cleaners to be more user – friendly and gentle on my hands. Plus, I have a feeling they’ll be easier to remove when the time comes to update the wall.
Standing back and looking at my completed faux living wall, I’m filled with a sense of pride. It’s not just a wall; it’s a lush oasis that brings life and beauty to my office space. And I hope that my experience and tips will inspire you to create your own little slice of greenery, whether it’s a grand statement wall like mine or a more modest, charming addition to your home.
