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How to Install a Wood Trim Accent Wall

February 7, 2021

Are you loving the accent wall trend as much as I am right now?  Accent walls can quickly elevate the style of any room, and they are easier to add than you may think.  Let me show you how to install a wood trim accent wall.

Accent walls can quickly elevate the style of any room.  Let me show you how to easily install a wood trim accent wall.

When we moved into our new home a year and a half ago, we knew we had our work cut out for us.  The house was in good shape structurally, which was fantastic.  Unfortunately, though, the previous owners neglected to do much maintenance on it, and most of the house hadn’t been updated in decades.

The master bedroom was no exception.  When we moved in, the walls of the master were gold, the trim was a cream color, and even the ceiling was a pale yellow.  There were plantation shutters hung on all the windows, which blocked a lot of natural light.  It was not a very pretty sight.  

I hated it so much that the only “before” photos I have are a couple of quick iPhone photos I snapped after we had cleared the room out and started painting the ceiling.

We have been slowly working on making it over the past few months.  And while we still have a couple of projects left, it is coming along quite nicely and doesn’t even look like the same space anymore.

A few weeks ago, I showed you how we added window film to an exterior door in the bedroom for privacy.  And this week, I am going to show you how to install a wood trim accent wall, which we did behind our bed.

We went into this project without much research and were just kind of winging it.  Unfortunately, we made some mistakes because of this that could have made the project a bit easier.  But….now we know better for next time, and I can help keep you from making the same mistakes.

Accent walls can quickly elevate the style of any room.  Let me show you how to easily install a wood trim accent wall.

Plus, this week, I am teaming up with some blogger friends to bring you a whole variety of different build projects.  Be sure to check all of them out at the end of this post!

How to Install a Wood Trim Accent Wall

(This post contains affiliate links.  To see my full disclosure, go here.)

Supplies needed:

  • Wood trim
  • Miter Saw
  • Nail gun
  • Level
  • Painter’s Caulk
  • Nail Set
  • Painters Putty
  • Sandpaper
  • Paint
  • Paint Brush

Step 1 – Measure and Gather Supplies

The first thing you want to do is measure your space, in order to determine how much wood you will need.  Since we went with a simple, symmetrical design, measuring was fairly simple.  

Once we knew how much we needed, it was time to collect supplies.  Unfortunately, the longest board we could find in the size I wanted was 4 feet long.  I would recommend getting longer boards (8′ long) if possible, as you won’t have as many seams to cover.  

Accent walls can quickly elevate the style of any room.  Let me show you how to easily install a wood trim accent wall.

I really wanted wood that was only 1/2″ thick, so that it would lay fairly flat to the wall.  4′ length was our only option in that size, so we just made it work.  These are .5″ x 1.5″ poplar boards.

Step 2 – Find the Studs

This was our first mistake.  We didn’t make it a point to find or mark the studs in the wall, which will help when you get ready to start nailing boards.  The studs are going to hold your nails, and therefore, your trim, much more securely to the wall than the drywall will.  So, you should try to hit a stud as often as possible.

We didn’t do this, and probably ended up using more nails than we needed to because many of our pieces were nailed into drywall only.

Step 3 – Cut Pieces for the Outline

The first thing we did, was outline the whole wall space with trim.  

I would recommend cutting as you go, as many walls are not perfectly square, and you may have to make slight adjustments to your measurements along the way.

We placed our outlining boards right next to the trim that was already in place – crown molding, window frames, and baseboard.

Accent walls can quickly elevate the style of any room.  Let me show you how to easily install a wood trim accent wall.

Step 4 – Install the Horizontal Lines

This was where we made mistake number two.  We actually started by installing our vertical lines first.  

The problem with this is, walls can be far from flat, and we had a number of mild bows in our wall.  This will make laying short boards really difficult, as the shorter the board, the less flexibility there is in it.  So, you want to use your long boards across the horizontal plane of the wall, which will make molding it to any uneven spots a bit easier.

You typically won’t find as many bows running along a wall vertically, since the studs run vertically, so it shouldn’t be as much of an issue to place short boards running vertically.

So, just remember when installing your own accent wall that you want any longer boards running horizontally.

Keep in mind, the method we used can be applied whether you start with vertical lines or horizontal.  

We divided our wall into four equal sections and marked where each line of trim needed to go.  We used a level to make sure our boards were straight before nailing them to the wall.

Accent walls can quickly elevate the style of any room.  Let me show you how to easily install a wood trim accent wall.

As with the outline, we cut pieces as we went.

Step 5 – Finish Design Installation

Once you have all of your boards running one way, start cutting boards to fill in the rest of the design.  

Accent walls can quickly elevate the style of any room.  Let me show you how to easily install a wood trim accent wall.

Same method as step 4.  We divided the space into four equal parts.  We cut as we went and were careful to make sure boards were even and level before nailing to the wall.

Accent walls can quickly elevate the style of any room.  Let me show you how to easily install a wood trim accent wall.

Step 6 – Sink and Fill Nail Holes

When the wood trim is all installed, go through and sink any nails that may be protruding a bit, and fill all of your nail holes with painters putty.

Let that dry overnight, then sand the excess off for a nice, smooth surface.

Step 7 – Caulk

You will also need to caulk all of the seams.  This is somewhat time intensive, but it makes a huge difference in the final appearance.  Run a line of caulk along any place where board meets board, as well as wherever board meets wall.  Wipe off excess as you go, and let dry.

Accent walls can quickly elevate the style of any room.  Let me show you how to easily install a wood trim accent wall.

Step 8 – Paint

The final step is painting.  We chose to paint the wood trim the same color as the wall, which made this part very easy.  

Accent walls can quickly elevate the style of any room.  Let me show you how to easily install a wood trim accent wall.

I am loving the way it turned out.  I do want to get a headboard for the bed someday, as well as new furniture for the room.  But for now, this wood trim accent wall provides some interest in lieu of a headboard.  And it’s obviously a favorite spot for the furry creatures that live here. 😉 

Accent walls can quickly elevate the style of any room.  Let me show you how to easily install a wood trim accent wall.

 

Be sure to pin this for later, and follow me on Pinterest for more inspiration!

Also, don’t forget to check out the other amazing build projects that my friends have shared.

Building a Hallway and Closet into a Storage Room from Grandma’s House DIY

 

Easy Heavy Duty DIY Garage Shelf from Chas’ Crazy Creations

 

DIY Outdoor Bench from Life at Bella Terra

 

DIY Farmhouse Coffee Cup Stand from The House on Silverado

 

DIY Corner Desk from Design Morsels

 

How to Make a Faux Fireplace Mantel Surround from Shiplap and Shells

 

How to Build a Birdhouse from Kippi at Home

 

Related Posts:

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  • 12 Must Have Tools for Beginner DIYers

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17 Comments | DIY projects, Home, Room makeover

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Comments

  1. Niky says

    February 7, 2021 at 8:51 am

    Wow, that accent wall is stunning and makes such a huge difference in your room! I’m impressed! Plus, you make it look so easy.
    Thanks for the easy directions! You’ve got me thinking….

    Niky @ The House on Silverado
    PS. I LOVE it if you share this at my link party– Sundays on Silverado!

    Reply
    • amy_at_healthhomeandheart says

      February 7, 2021 at 10:19 am

      Thanks so much, Niky! I, too, am amazed at what a difference it makes in the room. 🙂 I’ll definitely check out the link party. Thanks so much for letting me know about it!

      Reply
  2. Andrea says

    February 7, 2021 at 11:20 am

    Great instructions and it turned out beautiful. I was actually wondering if that would work if you walls are not perfectly square, but you answered that question. Really clear tutorial. It was great hopping with you today.

    Reply
    • amy_at_healthhomeandheart says

      February 7, 2021 at 11:49 am

      Thank you! And yes, walls are rarely perfectly square, but this is totally doable even if they are not. 😀

      Reply
  3. Chas Greener says

    February 7, 2021 at 1:59 pm

    Wow what a fun wall, and gives the room such texture. I love it and how it is nice and bright in your room. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • amy_at_healthhomeandheart says

      February 7, 2021 at 9:17 pm

      Thanks so much! We love how nice and bright it is in the room now, too. One of our favorite parts of the house. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Kim | Shiplap and Shells says

    February 7, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    What a difference! This turned out so beautifully Amy! You explained the process so clearly. Now you have me thinking about where I can do this project in my house. Loved hopping with you today.

    Reply
    • amy_at_healthhomeandheart says

      February 7, 2021 at 9:18 pm

      Thank you, Kim! I’m glad the step-by-step was clear. It really was a pretty fast and easy project. I’d love to see it, if you choose to do one in your own home!

      Reply
  5. Kelly says

    February 16, 2021 at 7:59 am

    What a transformation! Came out gorgeous – literally a whole new room!

    Reply
    • amy_at_healthhomeandheart says

      February 16, 2021 at 12:10 pm

      Thank you so much! It really is a whole new room – thankfully. 😀

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Easy DIY Farmhouse Coffee Cup Stand with Vintage Hooks - The House on Silverado says:
    February 7, 2021 at 8:01 am

    […] How to Install a Wood Trim Accent Wall | Health, Home and Heart […]

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  2. How To Make a Faux Fireplace Mantel Surround - Shiplap and Shells says:
    February 7, 2021 at 10:01 am

    […] How to Install a Wood Trim Accent Wall | Health Home and Heart […]

    Reply
  3. DIY Outdoor Bench | Life at Bella Terra says:
    February 7, 2021 at 10:41 am

    […] Amy from Health Heart and Home creates this beautiful accent wall using wood trim here. […]

    Reply
  4. DIY Corner Desk - Design Morsels says:
    February 7, 2021 at 11:25 am

    […] How to Install a Wood Trim Accent Wall – Health Home & Heart […]

    Reply
  5. Shiplap and Shells - Weekly Wrap Up - Shiplap and Shells says:
    February 13, 2021 at 8:31 am

    […] How to install a wood trim accent wall. […]

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  6. Tuesday Turn About Link Party 87 ~ Bluesky at Home says:
    February 16, 2021 at 4:45 pm

    […] love board and batten wall treatments. Amy of Health, Home and Heart shares a great tutorial for this home […]

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  7. Sundays on Silverado #29 - The House on Silverado says:
    February 21, 2021 at 12:01 am

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