The claim that $6 piece of trim can make any room look high-end is a bold one.. but I think it is true!
Today, I am going to introduce you to power of wall molding / wall trim and show you how it can make any basic wall look high-end.
And the best part?
This project is super affordable and DIY-friendly project that you can tack with limited tools and experience.
Here is a look at my wall before installing trim…
And here is a look at the wall after installing the trim!
For this project, you are going to need the following tools and materials:
- Trim Molding (I used this type): https://www.lowes.com/pd/11-16-in-x-8…)
- CA Glue: https://amzn.to/3GvEEZS
- Miter Spring Clamps: https://amzn.to/3IQZzHf
- Miter Saw or Miter Box: https://amzn.to/3UhszdQ
- Brad Nailer: https://amzn.to/3UhsBCu
- Laser Level: https://amzn.to/3U7PQix
Let’s get started!
Step 1: Create the Wall Trim “Box”
To create the wall molding, you will want to create a “box” with mitered edges. For my design, I used a 48” tall by 24” wide box (approximately) for the larger box and a 18” tall by 24” wide smaller box for the bottom.
Cut all of the pieces to length using a miter saw (or miter box) and position them in place on a flat surface. Next, I highly recommend the use of miter spring clamps to hold the mitered corners together in the perfect position. Once you are happy with how the corners are aligned, apply a bit of CA glue to the mitered joint. Spray some CA glue activator on the miter and it will cause the glue to bond instantly – holding the mitered joint together.
Do this for all of the mitered edges and then remove the miter spring clamps.
Step 2: Hang the Wall Trim on the Walls
Once the wall molding boxes have been cut and glued together, it is time to hang them on the wall. I like to use a laser level to establish the mounting height on the wall, but you can also just use a standard level.
PRO-TIP: Clamp something metal (framing square, hand saw, etc.) to a nearby door casing and use the magnetic attachment on the laser level to give you an easily adjustable mounting bracket.
To attach the wall molding boxes to the wall, I like to use a brad nailer with ¾” nails. However, the size of the brad nails will depend on the thickness of the trim you are installing. You can also use a bit of glue on the back of the trim boxes if you want an extra strong hold (However, this will likely tear off the drywall a bit if you ever remove the trim).
After getting the first trim box installed, I like to use a piece of blocking as a “spacer” to position the remaining trim boxes. This will help to ensure that everything is level and uniform. I used a 5.5” piece of baseboard as the spacer between all of my trim boxes.
Step 3: Paint and Caulk the Wall Trim
Once all of the wall trim boxes have been installed, use a bit of caulk around the edges of the trim to ensure that there are no visible gaps or openings. Once the calk dries, paint the trim to match the wall.
Congratulations! You now have a beautiful custom wall that looks 10X better than a standard boring wall.
If you are more of a visual learner, check out my YouTube video linked down which will show you every aspect of the wall trim installation process, step-by-step!
Rech out to me on Instagram @Atimprovements if you have any questions and thanks for taking the time to read this article. Good luck with your project!
DISCLAIMER: This is a reference guide only. Consult local code requirements. Links included in this article might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting ATimprovements so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!