How to Install Picture Molding

When installing picture molding, the planning is honestly the hardest part! I was lucky to have Amanda plan out everything for me (and even pick up my materials!).

Once you have it laid out, it’s easy!

Amanda’s used this handy online tool, check out the inchcalculator.com here!

Materials:

Molding Trim Boards
Caulk
Baby Wipes
Chair Rail

Tools:

Miter Saw
Nail Gun
Measuring Tape
Level

Step One: Cut Trim Pieces

I needed 9 boxes for my space, with each box being 24” tall. Then, for the widths, I needed 4 boxes 16” wide, 4 boxes 8” wide and 1 box 6” wide. I used my miter saw to cut 45 degree angles.

Trim Box Cut List:

18 @ 24″
8 @ 16″
8 @ 8″
2 @ 6″

Step Two: Attach to the Wall

I used my Brad nailer to attach the molding to the wall. I first used my miter saw to cut pre-measure blocks. I cut one block for the height off the baseboard (3”) and one block for the spacing between each box (8 1/2”*).

Cutting the block makes it so you don’t have to measure for each box! It also ensures a more consistent measurement as you make your way around the room!

Once I was able to easily determine the location of the box, I just used my Brad nailer and ¾” nails to nail the molding into the drywall!

Note: I used smaller nails as there is plumbing running behind my walls and the last thing I wanted to do was hit a pipe! If I wasn’t worried about plumbing I would have used 1″ nails.

*The wall behind the toilet was too small for 8 1/2″ spacing between boxes. Here I spaced the boxes at 6″ apart.

Step Three: Caulk, caulk & more caulk!

I caulked all of the seams and corners using white paintable caulk! I wiped the caulk lines with baby wipes, which helps ensure a clean caulk line.

Step Four: Paint

Once everything was caulked, I started painting. This is really where the magic happens! I painted my walls before installing the picture molding and I do recommend this as it makes things easier!!

Step Five: Install Chair Rail

After the picture molding was installed, I installed my chair rail. I painted my chair rail before installation as I didn’t want to have to tape the wall above it! I used my Brad Nailer to attach to the walls and the white paintable caulk to touch up any nail holes!

The chair rail I used I had picked up off a contractor who had it left over from a larger custom project. Therefore, I don’t have the exact link to the product but linked a similar!