How to Separate a Wall With Molding

Pictures, sconces and other wall hangings are one way of adding color to a wall. But decorative molding can be used to section off parts of a wall, providing you the option of painting the sections different colors. You can also create decorative accents on your walls with molding, often making any additional wall decor unnecessary to accomplish the look you desire.

Things You'll Need

• Chair rail or picture frame molding
• Chalk line
• Interior paint
• Graph paper

Instructions

Chair Rail Molding

1. Select a chair rail molding for the wall. Chair rail molding runs horizontally on the wall about 3 feet from the floor. Its original intent was preventing wall damage when chairs were backed away from the table. Chair rail is available in many sizes and patterns, from basic to very ornate.

2. Mark the wall with a chalk line where the molding will be installed. Stretch the line taut from one end of the wall to the other. Snap the string to leave a mark.

3. Paint the sections of the wall above and below the chalk line with two different colors of interior paint. To make a room appear larger, paint the lower section of the wall a darker color than the upper section. Let the paint dry.

4. Paint the chair rail molding the same color as the room’s baseboard molding. Install the chair rail molding on the chalk line that separates the two colors on the wall.

Picture Frame Molding

1. Select picture frame molding for the wall. Picture frame molding is actually a small-width chair rail molding, so the same variations in design and size are available.

2. Create a design on graph paper detailing how you wish to layout the picture-frame molding on the wall. You may want to create one long, horizontal, rectangular frame on the bottom section of the wall and two vertical, rectangular frames on the top section of the wall. Play with the design on graph paper until you know exactly what you wish and what size the frame will be.

3. Measure the wall and draw lines where the picture-frame molding will be installed.

4. Paint the inside of the picture-frame lines a different color than the rest of the wall. For a bright, festive look, paint each frame a different color than the others. Allow the paint to dry completely.

5. Paint the picture-frame molding the same color as the wall’s baseboard molding and install the picture frame molding according to the lines previously drawn.

Tips & Warnings

• Work with color swatches to determine a complimentary blend of interior paint color.

References

• "Crown Molding & Trim: Install It Like a Pro"; Wayne Drake; 2003