DIY Faux Rock Wall Panels

Cut sheets of 1/4-inch plywood into sizes that will be comfortable for you to install. This is a personal choice — some people are fine with full 8-foot by 4-foot sheets, while others prefer smaller pieces that are easier to move and position.

Cut circles out of insulation sheet foam with a sharp knife for the individual stones in the wall. This foam comes in 8-foot by 4-foot sheets, so a single sheet can yield many circles. Vary the size of the circles for a more natural-looking wall.

Brush the top side of each circle with a stiff wire brush, rounding the edge and sculpting the foam into a stone-like shape.

Sand the faux stones with 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface and remove any obvious tool marks.

Brush a coat of varnish onto the faux stones. This will protect the foam when you spray on paint. Allow the varnish to completely dry.

Brush a coat of latex primer onto the faux stones and allow it to dry. Add another coat if the pink or blue of the foam is still showing through.

Spray the faux stones in textured spray paint that simulates the color and texture of rock. Many varieties of this paint are available, including granite, sandstone, white onyx and rose quartz.

Allow the paint to completely dry.

Glue the faux stones to the plywood pieces with construction adhesive, leaving space between them for mortar. Allow the glue to dry for the time recommended on the container.

Apply a coat of latex paint to the spaces between the stones. The paint should be the color of your desired mortar. Be careful not to get too much paint on the stones.

Sprinkle coarse sand onto the panel while the mortar paint is still wet. The sand will stick to the wet paint, providing texture.

Allow the paint to dry to lock the sand in place, and then apply a second coat to encapsulate the sand. Allow this coat to dry as well.

Shake or blow the remaining sand off the panels.

Drill an 1/8-inch hole in each corner of the panels to allow you to screw them to the wall.