Wood trim accent walls, created with accent wall trim and then painted over, are hugely popular, and for good reason. They’re easy to install and look amazing, and because decorative wall moulding comes in various styles and sizes, the design possibilities are endless.
Creating a wood-trim accent wall is also relatively easy. If you already have your design, you only need basic carpentry skills, materials, and some free time. If you need help planning or executing your design, the experts at Simcoe Door and Trim are here to help you create something beautiful.
Materials:
Moulding (e.g. wood pine moulding, MDF moulding, etc.)
Chalk (optional)
Caulk
Finishing nails
Wood filler
Finishing sandpaper (150-220)
Paint (list some brands and colour options)
Tools required
Miter saw
Nail gun (e.g. brad nailer, pin nailer)
Painter’s tape (optional)
Chalk line (optional)
Measuring tape
Caulking gun
Level
DIY Wood Trim Accent Wall in 6 Easy Steps
Step 1: Choose your design
You’ve heard the expression, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This certainly holds true for any DIY work in your home — especially wood trim accent walls where you aim to achieve a specific, precise design.
If you’re looking for accent wall ideas, or need help planning or executing your idea, the experts at Simcoe Door and Trim specialize in decorative wall mouldings and can help you achieve the look, style and budget you're going for.
Step 2: Measure
Measuring allows you to calculate how much accent wall trim you’ll need (how many boards you’ll need), so you don’t find yourself running back to the hardware store in the middle of your project, or stuck with a bunch of boards you don’t need.
Start your project by measuring the width and height of your target wall, from the baseboard to the ceiling if you will not be removing the baseboards, or from the floor to the ceiling if you will be. Determine the location of any outlets or other obstacles.
Step 3: Sketch out your design
Once you have your measurements, plan out your design. If you’re going for something simple like a random geometric design, sketch it on a piece of paper first and then transfer it to the wall using painter’s tape.
If your design is more complex, draw a scale diagram to help you visualize your design on the wall. You can do this the old-fashioned way with pencil and paper, or use a computer program like SketchUp or Illustrator. Mark the location of any obstacles.
Once you’re happy with your design on paper, transfer it to the wall using a chalk line and chalk, or just use a level, measuring tape and pencil.
Step 4: Cut and install moulding pieces
Cut your accent wall trim into strips as per your design. You’ll likely have a number of long pieces for horizontal lines, and short pieces for vertical lines.
If you’re creating a grid design, start by creating the outer frame. Nail your pieces around the wall using a finishing nail gun (e.g. brad nailer, pin nailer) and nails, then nail in your horizontal pieces (be sure to use a level!), and finally, your vertical pieces. If you’re not doing a grid design, you may want to start in the centre and work your way outwards in each direction.
Step 5: Fill in gaps and holes
Once your accent wall trim is installed, it’s time to fill in the gaps between the wall and your trim using caulk. Using a caulking gun, apply caulk to the inside and outside edges of your moulding panels where they meet the wall. Run your finger along the edge to smooth it out, and wipe off any excess with a damp paper towel.
Use wood filler to fill in any nail holes and the gaps between the moulding strips where the pieces meet. Sand pieces flush once the wood filler is dry. Note: You may not think this step is worth doing, because the seams between the moulding strips aren’t very visible at this stage, but they will be after painting! We recommend not skipping this part.
Step 6: Paint
After wiping down the wall and decorative wall moulding to remove dust, you can start painting your wood trim accent wall. Prime and then paint your wood trim accent wall in your chosen colour, using a paintbrush to get into the corners and along the edges.
Locally-owned and operated
Simcoe Solutions is a locally owned and operated company that has proudly served Barrie and surrounding areas for over 65 years. We specialize in getting our customers access to top-brand products, personalized service and great prices.
Our staff knows the products and the industry, and our customer service is second to none.
If you have any questions with your wood trim accent wall, we would love to help. Contact our service desk or visit us in-store at our Barrie location.