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Adding a tongue and groove ceiling is one of my favorite upgrades I have ever made to a bedroom. It replaced a textured ceiling with something warm and timeless, and now my bedroom feels like a quaint cottage retreat. If you are thinking about this project for your home, I am walking you through why I chose it, the materials, the step-by-step process and exactly what it cost.
Everything in my bedroom is linked below the photos, so just swipe through to shop!
Why I Chose Tongue and Groove
- Timeless appeal: a T&G ceiling can look classic, rustic or coastal depending on the wood and finish, so it won’t go out of style.
- Visual interest: the interlocking planks create a seamless lined look that breaks up a plain, flat ceiling, and it was quite the upgrade from my textured ceiling!
- Durability: installed and finished well, T&G ceilings can last for generations.
- Sound and insulation: the planks can make a bedroom a little quieter and add some insulation value.
Materials
I hired this project out, but it can be a DIY if you are handy and have some spare time. Here is everything my contractor used:
- Tongue and groove ceiling planks (mine are pre-primed planks from a local lumber yard)
- Nails and a nail gun
- Circular saw
- Wood filler
- Caulk
- Sandpaper
- Stain or paint (I used Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee at 75% in a flat finish)
- Paintbrush, roller or sprayer (my painter sprayed)
How to Install a Tongue and Groove Ceiling, Step by Step
- Measure and plan. Measure the ceiling to figure out how many planks you need. Start from the center and work outward so the last row on each side is the same width.
- Buy your planks. Pine, cedar and oak are popular choices. I used pre-primed T&G planks.
- Prep the ceiling. Make sure it is clean and repair any cracks or holes so you have a smooth base.
- Install the first row. Start at one end of the room and nail the first row in place, keeping it level, with the groove side facing the wall.
- Interlock the planks. Slide the tongue of the next plank into the groove of the last row for a tight fit, and keep going until you reach the other side.
- Cut around obstacles. Measure and cut planks to fit around lights and vents. A circular saw gives you clean cuts.
- Paint or stain. You can finish the planks before or after they go up.
- Finish. Fill nail holes with wood filler, sand smooth, caulk the edges and add a final coat of paint.
Maintenance
T&G ceilings are low maintenance. Check them every so often for damaged planks and repair or replace as needed. Regular dusting is all I do!
Budget Breakdown
The cost of this project varies a lot depending on materials and labor in your area, so get multiple quotes or DIY it if you can. I hired the project out from start to finish. Here is what I paid for my 11 x 12 ft bedroom:
- Tongue and groove materials: $1,500
- Tongue and groove installation: $2,000
- Prep and paint: $850
- Total: $4,350
Shop My Bedroom
The ceiling sets the cozy cottage feel, and these pieces finish it: an upholstered bed, chunky knit throws, warm brown and striped pillows, ceramic lamps and a vintage-style bench.
Curtains, Chairs and Rugs for a Similar Look
Whether you hire a contractor or DIY it, this is a project you won’t regret! See more of my favorite projects in my DIY wood beams and interior door makeover posts, and shop everything in my home on my Shop Our Home page.