DIY Picture Molding and Thrift Store Accessory Flips

My bedroom has been a work in progress. Right when we moved in, I put wallpaper up over the chair molding and below has been blank and sad and lonely. I always knew I wanted to put up some fancy trim and finally got after it! I was hoping it would balance out the wallpaper- keep reading to see if it did! Plus here’s the tutorial on how to DIY picture molding.

Room Sources- drapes / drape rods / wallpaper / white chest / headboard / bed frame in pine / monogrammed sheets / palm stitched quilt / lamp / rug / ceiling fan / woven wall hanging / drapes / drape rods / desk / mirror / desk chair is thrifted / striped art / pink flamingo / the pink book / craft the seasons book / white dresser / most accessories are thrifted

how to diy picture molding

Let’s start with the video tutorial so you get an overview on what I did. My goal is to make one really good video a week with a DIY tutorial and some sort of fun project. This one includes redoing thrift store accessories for my bedroom. I think you’ll love it!

If the video doesn’t work here, you can watch it on YouTube here. I’d be over the moon happy if you subscribed to my YouTube channel! Videos are actually released on YouTube first (usually the night before they’re published on the blog). Thank you!

SUPPLIES

Trim– I got 120′ of this. Shoe molding is an even more affordable option.
Nail Gun
Caulk
Caulk Gun
Wood Filler
Paint
Laser Level
Miter Saw

This project cost me $78 in trim. I had the rest of the supplies on hand.

step 1

Before I started this project, I installed chair molding at 38″ high- chair railing can be pretty much wherever you think looks nice and that worked for me. Most people suggest installing chair railing at 28-30 inches, but that felt low to us so we did higher.

step 2

Next, it’s time to decide where the trim should go. The first rule I decided for my room was to put it 4″ from the wall or another box of picture molding or the base board or the chair molding. That kept it simple!

The width is the next decision you’ll make. This is a little tricky. I like the idea of framing out features or furniture. So I did squares under the windows or behind the dresser. The picture molding can be a way to delineate what is special and needs to be highlighted. Try putting up painters tape where you think the frames should go and that’ll help the decision.

Once you figure out what you want where, write down the measurements and add them all up.

I then bought 15 pieces of the 8′ pieces of trim. Make sure to buy 10-20% extra for waste or mistakes.

step 3

And now it’s time to cut! We used the mitre saw at a 45° angle so they fit together to make a frame on the wall. Aka why it’s called picture molding ;). Make sure to be super accurate when measuring and cutting- heck, you might even want to measure twice and cut once!

The reason to be careful is that they need to make an exact square when put on the wall so it’s best to go slow and be careful.

step 4

Finally, it’s installation time! For that, we pulled out our laser level which is invaluable with this project! That way the trim can go up perfectly level on all sides. To start with the first one, always begin with the center of the wall and the top piece. Next, work your way to the right veritcal piece. If you want, you can use a stud finder so that each piece to make sure that each piece is nailed directly into a stud.

Once all of the pieces of the picture molding are up, it’s time to fill holes and paint. To fill the nail holes, use wood putty (which will need to be sanded off). On the cracks of the trim- where it hits the wall, use caulk to finish the edges. Once those are completely dry, give the trim 1-2 coats of paint.

thrift store accessories

The dresser and vanity in my room have sat empty and that’s been adding to the sterile and sad feeling in the bedroom. So I thought I’d run to the thrift store and grab a few items to accessorize with. I hoped to find items I loved and was happily surprised by what I found!

Here’s my thrift haul- I got wood shell bookends for $7.50, a pink vase wrapped in rattan for $2.99, a perfectly patina’d pineapple for $2, an etched vase for $2, an oval picture frame for $2.99, three books for a total of $10, and a wood jewel box for $5.99. I spent about $32 for all this- that’s the price of one accessory at another store. Such a good deal!

This little jewelry box was so sad- I guess the tile was kind of cute, but not my style. So I popped it off, gave the whole thing a few coats of white chalk paint and then glued rattan on the top.

For the oval frame above, I just switched out the art. I replaced it with white paper and butterflies I cut out from this book. I wanted to use something I had on hand and am VERY happy with how happy and fun this came out!

after

Here are some after photos of the room with the thrifted accessories added and the picture molding up. It’s a subtle difference, but it feels so much more distinguished and layered in here. More interesting and less sterile. I love it!

This part of working on a room is probably my favorite- when I can start putting my personal stamp on it. Do you notice how the picture molding frames the vanity perfectly? It feels like it belongs here- it feels special. I used lots of cut greenery in here from my backyard in here. Hopefully it’ll last awhile because it really brings everything to life.

Another favorite moment for me is this dresser. I cut some banana leaves off a bush in my yard for the tall vase. Isn’t the height it creates perfect?! On the left, you can see the bookends I thrifted with the books. I made sure to grab home decor books that I’d read plus I needed some taller books for these shell bookends.

I love this old pineapple I found isn’t the patina just perfect?! You can’t buy things like this new at a store. This has a history and it really helps ground the room. Also, I’m dying to add a plant next to the nightstand- won’t that be nice there?

As you can tell, I’m almost done in here. I need to get some more art, a plant for the corner, and I’m grabbing one more drape panel so I don’t have to have one in the middle. Slowly, we’re getting there! One day I’d love to shiplap the ceiling and add crown molding. That’s not in the budget for now, but the rest will get done soon so keep a look out for a room reveal next week!

What do you think? If this a project you’d take on? I promise diy picture molding is easy and doable! And affordable too!

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