How to Spice Up a Room Using Store Bought Moulding

Do you have a room in your home that is just blah? Or maybe you are changing the theme in a room and need a place to start? Either way, using simple store bought moulding can make all the difference in the world. It is so simple adding a border or wains-coat around a room can make a significant upgrade. If you have ever been down the moulding section of a Lowes or Home Depot you know that there are literally thousands of different styles to choose from. I will describe how to change the look of a room using a few different tools and any moulding of your choice.

The first thing you need to know is what type of tools you will need to accomplish this room transformation. You will need a miter saw or a handsaw with a miter box, a combination square, a framing square, either sand paper or a sanding sponge, a putty knife, nail set, tape measure, and a paint brush. Now, the tools I have listed are preferred but if you don't have a combination square don't worry, there are ways around it. The down and dirty list would be a hammer, a miter saw or hand saw with miter box, some sort of square, nail set and tape measure, and sand paper is nice but not completely necessary.

The first step would be to prep the surface of where you are putting the moulding. Clean the surface so it is easier to attach the moulding when the time comes. Next you need to create an estimate for how much moulding you will be needing. Using a tape measure add up the total number of feet you will be covering with the moulding, you can either take this number with you to the hardware store and figure you what lengths are available or pre-determining the lengths you will need. Most hardware stores will sell this by the foot and allow you to cut it right there. You will also need to allow for waste ( I always cut at least one piece wrong), adding 10% is usually a good round number.

Next you need to measure and mark the area being worked on. If your cuts require a miter cut (most of them will) you need to remember that the measurement will be the long point of your mitered piece. When cutting miters start the angled cut on one end of a moulding piece. Measure from the long point of the miter, and mark the desired length on the opposite end of the moulding piece. When actually cutting the miter piece you need to position the piece so that the marked line is 1/16" to 1/8" away from the blade, this will account for the thickness of the blade and give you plenty of room to make minor adjustments.

Once you have successfully cut the pieces you are ready to attach them. Attach the moulding using trim and moulding glue by spreading an even bead of glue along the piece of moulding. Using wire brads or trim nails attache the moulding to the surface, you may want to drill pilot holes as not to split the moulding. Once the nails are in use a nail set to counter-sink the heads into the moulding. Using wood filler, fill up the joints and nail holes and after it dries sand them down. Once this step is complete you are ready to apply paint or stain to make it fit in the room you are sprucing up. You're done!!!

I really like using moulding because there are literally thousands of different choices out there. You can create a different look with subtle changes in a moulding style. Once you have mastered the simple wains-coating process, try to trim out the doors in the room with the same style but different profile moulding, you can also add inside corner to spiff up the vertical lines as well. The possibilities are endless and it is so easy and affordable to do. You can without a doubt change the entire look of a room with $50.00 and a couple hours. Good luck and I hope this helps.