How to install wall moulding the easy way

I was really stalling to write this post and make the video about how to install moulding which you guys saw in my new dining and kitchen makeover (HERE and HERE) because it’s been done so many times already. The reason I think it is valuable to you guys the way I did it, is that I’m using a little tool that makes it so much easier to hang. I promise that anyone can hang picture frame wall moulding… Trust me!

I am a little confused as to write wall moulding or wall molding but since all the big home improvement stores call it wall moulding, I decided to write it their way but I’ve seen it both ways on the internet and in stores.

How to install wall moulding the easy way

I originally wanted to add picture frame moulding divided by a chair rail but since my kitchen counter starts ar the right of the room, I thought it would be just too much. I’m glad that I went for the simpler look of just having large picture frame wall moulding instead.

I love both looks but for our room, this was just the right way with the counter.

Below is how I figured out the panels for my large wall and the wall on the opposite side of the room. I like the rule of threes which worked great for my walls but if you have an even larger space then you might have to do more.

Here is a sneak peek at the moulding in my upcoming bathroom makeover:

materials and tools needed:

• molding of your choice ( I used this one HERE)
• measuring tape
• level (HERE)
• liquid nails (HERE)
• stud finder (HERE)
• miter clamps (HERE)
• drywall mud or wood filler
• paintable caulk (HERE)
• primer (HERE)
• final coats of paint ( I used Ultra White by Valspar)
• miter box and saw HERE (electric or miter box and saw HERE)
• nail gun with nails and I have this one HERE (or drill, drill bit, hammer, nail set HERE, and finishing nails and the size is usually recommended on the label for your specific moulding)

Step-by-step Instructions

(I made a detailed video for you, so you can see how I hang the moulding. It is pretty long because I tried to cover everything including using a drill instead of the cordless nailgun. If you don’t want to see the entire video and only the part where I use the moulding clamp then jump to about the time section 10:22 within the movie by dragging the slider with your cursor.)

Or you can check the video out HERE on YouTube.

Oh, and little Walter is helping me in the video too. He is a silly little guy!

• pick the moulding you want, I used this one HERE
• measure and mark walls with measuring tape and level
• figure out which way you want your moulding profile to face
• cut moulding according to size in 45 degrees angles to make a perfect 90 degrees corner

• attach the first piece to the wall where you marked it and attach it with only one nail so you can still swivel and adjust it to match the other corner
• use liquid nails where corners meet
• clamp the corner (jump to part 10:22 in my movie to see this part)

• clamp and attach all 4 corners… I decided not to glue the moulding to the wall because I don’t want a lot of wall damage should I ever change my mind and take the moulding down. If you are sure that you will keep it forever then adding glue to the entire moulding piece is probably a good idea.
• caulk moulding edges to fill gaps, don’t use caulk for nail holes
• fill nail holes with drywall mud or wood filler and sand when dry
• prime moulding
• paint moulding

And DONE!

I still need to finish running the moulding into the hallway and possibly kitchen:

Pin this project to Pinterest below:

Update: I recently added some of the same wall molding to our bedroom but also aded another detail to the inside of the frames as you can see below. 

So here is what I did:

I determined the sizes first on paper.

I can’t find the photo but I made a cardboard square of 5 inches that I held and traced to the inside of the molding frame squares to determine where the inside frame details should be.

I cut all the small pieces by clamping wood to the miter saw so they would all be the same size. Then I pre-glued the corners which made hanging easier in the end. It wasn’t a strong hold but enough so I could hang them with my nail gun and secure the hold.

Here are the squares before priming them.

And here it is finished:

Also if you really don’t feel like nailing trim to your walls the way I did then you could also consider adding a wallpaper that looks like picture frame moulding:

Or add prefabriccated panels but neither give you the freedom to space them out the way you want for your specific space:

I can’t wait to show you how the same type of moulding looks in my bathroom but first, we will be working on replacing our flooring in our dining room, kitchen, living room, and powder room this week. I can’t wait to have that major project behind me. It’s causing me sleepless nights.

Since then we added new Karndean vinyl plank flooring that has added so much to the space. We love this affordable floor so much.

Have a good week my friends and I will post again when that major project is behind me.

My painting tips: