Add visual interest on a tiny budget with faux beams!
Faux beams. Heard of them? Today, we’ll tell you all about ours, and how to install them in case you’d like to hop on the faux wood beam bandwagon.
If you love the look of real wood beams in a home, then you’ll definitely want to consider the non-real thing. They are MUCH easier to install (they weigh almost nothing), and cost a FRACTION of what a real wood beam does. Read on and I’ll tell you all you need to know!
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Wood Beam Inspiration
Beams. So dreamy. They are an architectural element extraordinaire. Some of you may be nodding your head in agreement and saying, “just show me how to make this lightweight, amazing faux beam diy already!”. If that’s you, scroll on down because the tutorial is below.
BUT. If you are saying yourself “wood beams…aren’t those kind of dated?” Then stop right there because I’ve got some gorgeous eye-candy that will change your (interior design) world.
1. Major Dining Room Envy
2. Add Warmth to a Living Space
See what I mean? I love ’em. Always have. To me, they say, “Come on in and snuggle by the fire”…
Pssst…more beam jobs to come, but really quickly before you decide to give this project a go, make it a little easier…
Download a free printable copy of the supply list and installation tips & tricks. Click here or on the image below to get started now⤵
3. Add Interest to a Kitchen
Or, “Join us for a relaxing dinner in our cozy (but extremely elegant) kitchen.”

Source – The Enchanted Home via From My Porch to Yours
4. Accent a Tall Ceiling
and “Prop your feet up and relax in our rustic retreat”. I have major ceiling height envy here – the wood beams make it all pop!
5. Create a Stunning Focal Point in a Kitchen
Okay, today we are talking about faux wood beams, but I may have to come back another day and do another tutorial on how to cover your entire ceiling in wood because I LOVE this!

Source – Cottages-Gardens.com
Get Wood Beams on a Budget
You know what else wood beams say? Something like: “Are you the type of homeowner that likes paying for things through the nose? Then buy some of us!” And when I realized this, suddenly, the beam dream became obscene. And so ended my love affair with beams…

Here we are. Do you see those beams? Yes, those gorgeous mahogany hand-hewn looking beauties above? Guess what? THEY’RE FAKE! That’s right, I said it. We got a beam job…or “beam augmentation” if you will.
We discovered FAUX BEAMS! And just like that, my love affair with beams was back on again. For just a fraction (like 1/5) of the cost of REAL wood beams, and just a teensy, tiny percentage of the weight (which is important for installation), it is possible to buy and install these faux wood decorative beams.
And guess what? They look real. Seriously. Hallelujah, hap-beam days are here again!! Wanna know how to work with them? The male half of the Heathered Nest is gonna give you the crash course (without the crashing part. That would be a bad outcome)…
And grab your free copy of the DIY guide for this project to make it simpler! Click here or on the picture below to get instant access now!⤵️
How to Install Faux Beams
Let’s talk about which supplies and materials you’ll need if you decide to install your own faux beams (which you should).
DIY Faux Beams Installation Supplies:
- faux beams (our exact beam is no longer available, so I’ve linked to the store where we purchased, and other similar products!)
- joist hangers (must use adjustable joist hangers if you have a sloped ceiling)
- 2×4’s
- screws
- wood putty
- drywall toggle bolts
- laser level or line level
- standard level (the bigger the better)
- two sets of hands
- angle finder
- studfinder
- tape measure
- screwgun
- circular saw (to cut 2×4’s)
- handsaw (to cut faux beam)…seems a little old fashioned, but it worked well
- ladder (or two, depending on where/how high you’ll be installing)
- telescoping work poles (not a must, but very helpful…and not just for this project!
How to Make Faux Wood Beams
We opted to purchase our faux wood beams for this project. But, if you would rather completely DIY some beams instead of buying them, you can do that! Check out my friend Larissa’s tutorial on Prodigal Pieces.
Step by Step Directions for Installing Faux Wood Beams
First of all, don’t be scared because this isn’t too hard of a DIY project!
1. Determine the Number and Layout of the Ceiling Beams
Yes, that sounds obvious. But there are so many options (color/style/texture) for these faux beams, that this was actually the most challenging part of the project for us!
Faux wood products are made for all different aesthetics, from the rough, hand-hewn rustic look (which we went with) to sleeker, smoother, and more minimal ceiling beams.
Here’s an image of our family room BEFORE the installation.

2. Install joist hangers.

Faux beams are made of dense foam, making them SUPER light-weight, easy to handle and install. This alternative costs a fraction of what real wood beams do!
3. Install the 2×4’s into the hangers.
Depending on the span needed, you’ll have to “sister”, or screw two 2×4’s together. Remember, they make 2×4’s up to 16’ in length, so get the longest 2×4 you need to fit the span. This will give your beam more strength. Sistering two 8’ 2×4’s together to make a 16’ span would be a bad plan. Once you’ve sistered your 2×4’s, cut them to length.
Don’t forget! You can make this project quicker and easier by downloading the free printable supply list and installation tips and tricks for this project!
Click here or on that picture below – I’ll send your free guide immediately ⤵️
BAD PICTURE ALERT BELOW…but you can kind of see the “sistered” 2×4’s in this image if you look closely. You can also see the ends of the 2×4’s sitting in the joist hangers. Finally, check out those red poles sitting beneath either end of the 2×4’s. Those are telescoping work poles, and they were pretty clutch for completing this project (and have helped us in numerous others).

4. Cut the faux wooden beams to length.

5. Install the faux beams.

Note that faux beams such as this one are hollow, making it very conducive (pun-intended) to running electrical wires through them, etc!


Final Thoughts About Faux Wood Beams
So come on! Faux-get about it! Consider giving faux wood ceiling beams a try. We “wood” love to see how they turn out if you do!
Want sources for this space? Here you go! Just click on the product you’d like to learn more about, and you’ll be taken to the retailer.
Pin this post for later! And if you install some beams, leave a comment (or better yet, a photo) on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try this project, too!
Pssst…before you go, I sure would love to hang out with you again really soon! Sign up now and get a FREE copy of “Builder-Grade To Beautiful: 10 Totally Transformative Home Decorating Solutions, All Under $100!” Click here or on the image below. Your copy will be sent right away!

Bruce Martin says
Very cool I’m doing a project for a friend and his ceilings are 12 foot vaulted and his plans for his beams came from right here, he will not allow me to post pictures until its completed. Thanks guys I’ll keep in touch.
Heather says
That’s fantastic, Bruce! I hope they’ll let you take a shot once it/they are installed! Would love to see the end result. Give us a shout if you have any questions! Heather and Dave