8 DIY-able Wall Molding Ideas to Add Character to Your Home

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Get our best tutorials for adding wall molding to make your home feel upscale and custom for the fraction of the cost of a professional. Plus, get all the tips for choosing the best paint for trim and molding with recommended tools to get the job done correctly. 

8 DIY Wall Molding Ideas to Add Character to Your Home

We officially have picture frame molding in the dining room! It’s not painted just yet, but this room already feels more elevated. A few weeks ago, before the water damage accident, I shared our big dining room makeover plans with a modern classic vibe.

picture frame molding in a dining room

Since we already have construction dust all over the house at this point anyway, we figured why not add a little more? Ha! So we dove into our DIY picture frame molding tutorial we shared back when we created Regan’s nursery several years ago.

Then I realized we have done SO many DIY wall molding projects over the years that they were worth re-sharing.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by installing trim or millwork in your house, it really is much easier than you think. Once you start, you’ll be hooked because it adds character to every room. 

8 Wall Molding Tutorials to Elevate Your Home

picture frame molding in a nursery with white walls and gray doors

1. DIY Picture Frame Molding

This traditional style of molding is perfect if you want your rooms to feel elegant and more luxurious. Paint the trim, molding, and walls all the same color in a satin sheen to make a small room look bigger. (You can see more of Regan’s nursery decor here.)

crown molding

2. Beefed Up Crown Molding and Baseboards

If you already have crown molding in your house but it’s on the skimpy side, use this trick of adding a thin piece of trim an inch or two below crown molding and above existing baseboards. Paint the trim and 1-2″ bit of wall in between the same color as the crown molding to create the illusion of a thicker crown quickly and for less money.

grid molding focal wall in a bedroom with French bed mirrored closet doors and black paint

3. Grid Molding

This wall treatment is perfect for a focal wall on a large blank wall on stairs, behind a bed, or behind a sofa. Don’t worry about adding art. Just let the molding do the work. (You can see more of our primary bedroom here.)

gray vertical shiplap with white walls and wood vanity in a bathroom

4. Vertical Shiplap

A more modern take on farmhouse shiplap, this vertical shiplap works well in bathrooms and hallways as a wainscoting to brighten up small, tight spaces and add texture. (You can see more of this California casual powder room makeover here.)

wood plank wall with white built-ins in a playroom

5. Wood Planking

If you love rustic style, a stained wood plank wall adds a ton of character for very little expense. Check out this DIY plank wall post too and how these different wood stains look on different species of wood to help you decide what color to stain your wall.

I recommend staining the wood prior to nailing it on the wall. Or you can use this natural, inexpensive stain made using basic items from your pantry. (You can see the rest of the playroom makeover here.)

white shiplap wall in a foyer with entryway table

6. Traditional Shiplap

It’s farmhouse all the way, but it’s always a classic. Buying tongue and groove planks ready made from the hardware store makes this wall treatment install go super quick. Paint it white for classic farmhouse or coastal style or paint it dark for a more modern, industrial vibe. (You can see more of our foyer in our old house here.)

Romabio Midsummer green baby boy nursery with wallpaper mural and board and batten

7. Traditional Board & Batten

Board and batten works so well in entryways and mudrooms, but it’s perfect for basically any room of the house. Take it all the way up to the ceiling or just run it halfway up the wall to add character in any room. (You can see the rest of this baby boy nursery here.)

planked board and batten focal wall in a bedroom

8. Planked Board & Batten

Another great one for a focal wall (or on a ceiling). If you can’t decide between shiplap or board and batten, mesh both together this way. (You can see more of our primary bedroom in our last house here.)

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of paint finish do you use on molding and trim?

Satin sheen is the most recommended by designers and contractors. I personally prefer Benjamin Moore Advance for molding, trim, and doors because it cures quickly to a hard finish that won’t peel or scrape as easily.  

What tools should you use for installing molding?

For most all molding installs, we use:
a compound miter saw, coping saw, jigsaw, cordless finish nailer, construction adhesive, level, tape measure, wood filler, caulk, and fine grit sandpaper. 

What are the best paint colors for trim and molding?

Benjamin Moore Simply White is the most versatile in my experience. It’s the perfect bright neutral white with still just enough creaminess to feel cozy. If you want to be a little more daring, try these gray trim paint colors to make your trim and molding the star of the show. 

Is it spelled molding or moulding? 

Molding is the typical spelling in the United States. In the UK and Canada, it’s spelled moulding. Just like the word color vs. colour or favorite vs. favourite. Both are technically correct, just culturally different spellings. 😉 

There are so many other kinds of molding I would love to attempt installing one day… like this DIY reeded wall (swoon). But these 8 are perfect for the basics.

Have you ever installed one? Or ever wanted to? Or attempted it once only to fail miserably? I promise those gorgeously molded walls are SO WORTH IT!

So ready to see these newly molded dining room walls painted soon!

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