Although the Monarch Revival in Tennessee is truly the home of my dreams, I always find it fun to reminisce on my favorite projects. It’s been almost a decade (I can’t believe it) since we lived in Prescott, but it held one of my favorite installs of all time: our faux wood beams!
Today on the blog, I’m taking you on a walk down memory lane to discuss all things relating to faux wood beams! This is such an incredible design feature to include in any large room that will truly transform a space.
What Are Faux Wood Beams?
Originally, wood beams were made to provide both a functional and aesthetic purpose. In large living or primary rooms, a wood beam is installed to keep the structural integrity of your home while elevating the overall look. The entire design world fell in love with the luxurious vibe wood beams brought into a space. The only problem? It’s a ridiculously expensive addition.
That’s where an alternative version comes in. Faux wood beams are created to replicate the appearance of real wood, but are made from lightweight materials that are hollow in the middle. This means you get the look and feel of authentic wood ,but without the hassle or additional cost.
What Material Is Best To Use?
The beauty of faux wood beams is there’s a material for every budget! Since they are hung up so high, it’s easier to mimic the look of real wood without having to spend more.
High-density polyurethane foam is a popular choice due to its resemblance to real wood while being significantly lighter. This material allows for textures that mimic the grain and knots found in natural wood. Additionally, it’s resistant to moisture, pests, and rot, making it a go-to choice for outdoor use.
If you really want to go for real wood (that’s what I did in our Prescott home), the design of faux wood beams still works great. Because it’s hollow on the inside, hanging is much less taxing and you can stain it to the exact color you want.
Best Faux Wood Beam Stains
When it comes to choosing a stain for your faux wood beams, you’ll want to lean towards something as timeless as possible. A lot of times, the wood stains you like for flooring are often great indications for what to consider on beams.
In my opinion, light or dark wood stains are the most timeless options available. If you’re unsure which choice would look best, go to your local hardware store and purchase a few wood flooring samples. Although the exact shade won’t be the same, it will help you see what stain elevates the rest of your home.
Where To Buy Faux Wood Beams
With the growing popularity of the aesthetics of beams, there are a ton of places to shop for them online. Here are a few of the links to ones I’d consider if I recreated the project again:
If you’re looking for a more custom option, small businesses on Etsy or local flooring companies are a great place to start.
Can You DIY It?
Yes! It’s a much easier project than you might think. Think of faux wood beams as a two part process: building (or buying) the beams and installing them on your ceiling. Although it’s not a project I’d recommend to a beginner in DIY home projects, this is more than doable for medium to advanced DIYers.
To read a complete guide on how to make faux wood beams from start to finish, check out my original Prescott wood beams post here!
What do you think of faux wood beams? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with everything on the blog, check out my latest posts:
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