How to DIY Faux Molding on a Budget
New molding can give a boring room more visual interest and look more expensive. While striving for the real thing looks great, it can be quite expensive (which is why it looks expensive). However, there are several ways to mimic the look of a real wood molding without shelling out for it.
Paint molding on the wall
To get a geometric look without adding any dimension to the wall, you can use paint. Divide the wall into thirds or halves, paint the bottom half in a contrasting color to the top. Adding a darker color stripe on top can add even more pop. This technique draws attention to the line created by paint and can give a similar feel to architectural sculpting with less time, preparation, and money. All you need is a tape measure, cloth, masking tape, a cutting brush, and a roller.
Glue PVC tiles to the ceiling
To add volume to the ceiling, you can use medallions or PVC tiles . PVC medallions will give you the look of a molded plaster medallion at a fraction of the cost and can be attached with adhesive for easy installation. PVC tile can give you the look of a tin ceiling or carved moldings like a false ceiling, but they can also be glued into place. To attach PVC pieces, measure their position and then apply some adhesive to the PVC surface. Use masking tape to secure the pieces to the ceiling until the adhesive sets.
Give preference to artificial molding using the “peel and paste” method.
To add an architectural touch, you can find a variety of faux moldings that can be glued and glued on . They can be applied directly from the roll to the wall and should be painted to look realistic. They are handy for curved surfaces as they are made from a flexible material that will conform to the shape of the surface it is attached to. All you will need for this project is a peel and stick mold and a utility knife.
Install pre-assembled box frames
Another handy artificial molding product is a prefabricated polystyrene baguette . To add box frame panels to your wall without the expense of wood, you can find polystyrene frames in a variety of styles and sizes. Be sure to measure the size of your wall to make sure you are getting the size that will fit the space. If you’re not sure, try masking off the dimensions as a test to see how the boxes will look in the room before you buy them. The frames are pre-primed so they can be mounted directly to the wall with construction adhesive or nails and then painted to match.
Add urethane corners and embellishments
To add some detail to the box panel, you can also find different urethane corners that are made to match the box frame. They are decorative and can add style to your box if you want something more interesting. You can attach them with glue; nailing them can be tricky, as the more detailed surfaces are more delicate than the box frame itself.
Plasterboard panels as “cladding”
To create the look of traditional sheathing, you can buy pre-cut cardboard panels that are pre-cut to the height of the sheathing, pre-primed, and ready to install. They can be nailed or glued, although nails will probably work better since the surface is large. You will also need to measure and cut at least one panel per wall, so you will need a saw for this project.