disclosure: This post is sponsored by FrogTape.
Have you ever seen anyone so happy in their whole life?
I can’t help it.
I have NEW BASEBOARDS y’all.
Yep.
It’s the little things in life.
You’d be happy, too, if you saw the before. You probably never really noticed the baseboards in the room before because I did my very best to not point them out.
All the other baseboards in the house are high and Pinterest-worthy. Most of them are between 8″ to 10″ tall with molding on the top and the bottom. Amazing baseboards. Incredible baseboards. Baseboards that could hold their heads high at the national baseboard convention.
But the baseboards in this room?
They were full of shame.
Yikes.
They looked like this.
Small.
Not cute.
Scuffed up from people dragging furniture along them.
When my husband asked me what I wanted for Mother’s Day? Some people like roses. Some people like jewelry.
Me?
All I want is a little home improvement project.
Here’s how we DIY’d new baseboards and then how we painted them.
Simple DIY Baseboards
Step 1: Remove the baseboards
Here’s a close-up of the before. These baseboards are about 4″ tall.
To remove them, we simply took a screwdriver and inserted it at the joints of where the baseboards attached and lightly tapped a hammer.
The baseboards came right off in long strips.
The key is to find your joints and start the removal process there.
Step 2: Cut and nail the new baseboards to the wall
Here’s a look at the new pine boards we used as the new baseboards.
This pine is 1″ x 8″ tall.
We just used inexpensive-grade pine. The key is to cover those knot holes when you paint with a full-coverage primer so the knots don’t bleed through (but I’m getting painting-ahead of myself).
We cut the boards to fit around the bottom of the room. We had to miter several corners because the room has a bay window. If your room is square, all you need to do is simple abut the boards to one another on the corners.
Step 3: Add 1/4″ round on the top of the board
I wanted the molding to have a finished look like the rest of the house.
Sometimes just a little piece of simple molding (like a 1/4″ round) can make the baseboards feel so much more finished.
The pine board is 1″ x 8″ so the 1/4 round fit perfectly on the top.
We cut the 1/4″ round to fit and then nailed it to the top of the pine board on the molding around the room.
You will need to miter the corners where the joints meet.
Step 4: Add 1/4″ round to the base of the board
After we added the 1/4″ round to the top of the board, the next step was to add it to the base of the pine board.
We cut the 1/4″ round to fit and then nailed in front of the pine board around the room.
You will need to miter the corners where the joints meet.
Here’s what the finished molding looked like before we started painting.
Step 5: Apply FrogTape to the top and bottom of the board
Y’all know I only use FrogTape.
In amazing home improvement news? I’ve used FrogTape for over 75 home improvement projects on this blog.
Like when we created an office out of a built-in.
Or when we painted this hexagon wall.
Or when we taped off this cube wall.
I’ve used FrogTape for over 10 years because IT DOES NOT MESS.
Perfect edges every time.
Here are my best FrogTape tips when applying it for projects like this:
- Always keep it in the original container. It keeps the original adhesive intact and it extends the life of the tape.
- Always score it after you apply it. When I say “score” it, I mean to run a the edge of a card or a stiff surface along it to make sure it has completely adhered to the surface.
- Always check to make sure you didn’t leave any surface space. Apply the FrogTape directly next to your edge.
- Always check to make sure there aren’t any wrinkles in the tape when you apply it. Smooth application means smooth edges.
- You can see exactly how we applied it in this video I filmed over on my YouTube channel here.
Step 6: Paint primer and two coats of paint
You could use a small roller for a project like this, but we went old-school and used a paintbrush.
Quick tip: a 2″ angled painter’s brush is the perfect tool for a project like this. It has enough thickness to give you good coverage and the angle helps get in the corners.
Quick tip #2: MAKE SURE (I cannot stress this enough) to use a high-coverage primer on this project. DO NOT skimp on the primer if you are using pine boards. If you don’t, the knots will show through. This premium high-quality primer from Sherwin-Williams is one of the best ones on the market.
Here are our finished baseboards with one coat of primer and two coats of paint.
Step 7: Remove the tape
You can see the entire tape removal process (my favorite step) in the video.
Here are my best FrogTape tape-removing tips:
- Pull the FrogTape in one constant direction. This helps with a clean line on the painted surface.
- Keep a trash can handy so you can just stick the tape on the side of it as you go around the room.
- We like to use longer pieces of tape on the original application process because it makes it easier to remove.
- You can make little tabs in the tape every so often to make removal even easier.
Here’s the finished office with its beautiful new baseboards.
I added a new rug and moved some chairs around and added the cutest vintage finds I just got at a yard sale.
The room is officially ready for summer.
And this weekend?
Flowers and strawberries and cookies and cards will be showing up at mother’s houses everywhere.
But this DIY girl?
I’ll be having Mother’s Day coffee with my baseboards.
Never underestimate the happiness a little DIY project can bring. 🙂
disclosure: This post is sponsored by FrogTape.
All opinions are my own.
Please see my disclosure page for more information.
We call baseboards skirting boards in the UK - that’s weird right?
your looking wonderful what is your secret for weight loss
Brilliant idea! This makes such a difference in a room. I have an 85 year old brick home that came with plaster walls and six-inch baseboards with fancy filigree borders.
You are getting absolutely tiny! You must weigh less than your daughters. You look great and I can tell you are totally happy with your efforts and the result. Good looking baseboards too. Ha!
Ditto! You look fabulous! Hold yourself up straight and tall and proud, because you worked hard for your healthy revised body, and you deserve to be proud of your accomplishment!!! (Oh yeah, baseboards look great!!!). Hugs!
Where did you get the desk??
I look forward to your posts. They give such interesting , simple, but fabulous results. I also wish I could live in a house like yours. It takes me back to my grandmother’s, with modern touches. Thank you for sharing and letting us live through your beautiful ideas.
Wow, what a difference! Thanks for the great idea!
They look so good! Baseboards are so expensive! I love that you found a more cost-effective option!
First, the baseboards are wonderful! You have inspired me to finish mine. Second, you look marvelous! Happy Day!!
I just need to paint my baseboards and doors where the men burgered them up 3 years ago when they installed our hardwood floors--could Denny pretend to be my son???Lol
That is a wonderful gift!!!
KA, Thanks for the great idea. Easy and looks good. Speaking of looking good, you look AMAZING! Patricia
Looks very nice and like it has always been there. Is there a reason you did not prime and do one coat of paint before installing the baseboard?
Baseboards look great and easy and cost effective- now I see I need to clean mine!:) You look FABULOUS KariAnne!! I have to ask- is your hair naturally straight or wavy? I would kill for waves!:):) Looks great both ways.
When I first glanced at your picture I thought it was one of your daughters! You look so young. Very beautiful!! Oh and I love the baseboards!
And I thought I was the only one obsessed with baseboards! Can't stand wimpy baseboards/trim. We want to move but there are very few houses for sale. We own a commercial building that had been turned into apartments. First thing I'm doing is ripping out every baseboard and trim around the windows and doors and replacing them with nice wide ones. I think this comes from living in older homes that have beautiful wide trim. I'm saving money for this as it seems like it might get a little expensive since we have to hire it done. Thanks!!
Yay for FrogTape and Mother's Day DIYs! Those baseboards look AMAZING! And so do YOU!
Congrats on the baseboards! We just had new hardwood floors and tall baseboards installed in our home. Love them! Made such a difference! You're looking great (I bet you're feeling better, too).
Would you consider showing a photo of the corners where the boards are butted up to each other and the trim is mitered? Thanks.
These look amazing. I love crown molding and large baseboards but live in a modern house with one of those peaked ceilings which I love but when I see this it makes me long fit more traditional. Oh and you have yet to tell us how you lost all the weight. 😉you look amazing
You look even better than those fabulous baseboards! You are TINY!!!!
Hahhaaa, yup, a home improvement project gift is my love language too! These baseboards are the cherry on top to this room! May this gift bring a smile to your face for years and years. :)
Here’s a hoot for you! We have the most lovely baseboard it high, carved just beautiful- in the GARAGE!! The rest of the entire house has this funny two inch high trim as baseboard. Guess the builder ran out of money or taste!! lol I’m thrilled for you it makes a big differences.
Where did you get your curtains?
I love your new baseboard, it look great and adds to the beauty of your home. Mine were ugly too so, I did the same thing.
What a difference it makes!!!! Sometimes we just like things that make what's around us look great each day! Makes you smile. Girl, you should make your family feel great and fantastic by your smile and that figure!!!! Looking like a star!!!!!!!!!!
Woman, you are after my heart. Love your idea, wish I had seen it before I spent thousands doing just one room, but that is a long story. I am also a practical person, I requested a new shiny stainless steel garlic press for Mothers Day!
What better gift than a home improvement?! I asked my dear husband to build storage for my garden tools as my Christmas gift. Every time I head out to the little barn before gardening, I sigh with satisfaction to see all my tools neatly arranged. I love this baseboard idea and may use it to upgrade our master bedroom. The other rooms have wonderful old baseboards with lots of character. Have an amazing day and a wonderful Mothers' Day!
Love them!! I have always loved big /high baseboards, they look great and If that's what you want I think it's a great present also the time to so it is a gift not just bought from a store!! They are great
Look at you with your half-tucked shirt! Miss Fashionista! I have a question. I live in a ranch style home and don't have high ceilings. Would you recommend tall baseboards or should they be shorter? Just wondering if it would look weird, proportionally, to have high ones.
Love it! Both the baseboard and your fashion choices. Just listened to a builder talk about baseboards and he stated that with 8' ceilings the baseboards should be at least 7" tall. He said to think of your walls as columns-would you want a little skinny base to a column? I agree....plus it really protects the bottom of the wall/column.
Is the standard height 8 inches or could one go less. Looks lovely.
These are absolutely stunning! Great post
This is one of your very best posts Karianne. I am forwarding it to my daughter who is ready for baseboard work soon. And like so many other replies YOU look fabulous too.
Look at you..standing in FRONT of the furniture..so proud of you..looking great..love your blog...
You look great! Would love to hear you weight loss routine! And any workout! I love the baseboards and as you say, that 1/4 round makes a world of change! May I ask where the curtains are from? Thanks!
The baseboards look amazing they make a world of difference!!! I love the color pallet in your room too. You look amazing...can you share your weight loss journey with us.
Love the baseboards...what color paint on the walks? Did you make the curtains, live them...can you share your weight loss secret?
Melissa, LOL! I love all the questions! 1. The paint on the walls is SW Sandbar.2. The curtains are dropcloth. You can see the post on how I made them here:Â https://thistlewoodfarms.com/drop-cloth-curtains-faq/3. I'm on a program called Optavia---a mixture of their food and healthy vegetables and protein. Happy day!KariAnne
I love your new baseboards! However, I did notice your wall receptacle looks like you might have an electrical issue. It looks like something has been arcing as you plug in and unplug?? It might be worth looking into.
I was just thinking about this the other day. My baseboards are about 2" high and square so the dust just sits on the top of them. Thanks for sharing this, it's motivation to get my own done.
I love the tall baseboards. Okay, so full disclosure we hired someone to redo our main floor baseboards after we refinished the floors. Love it and love you! laura
I have been looking for a tutorial like this. I didn't want to have to purchase moulding. Thank you! It looks amazing.
Perfect, perfect & perfect baseboard end results. I will be doing this for sure. I too am so happy to have thus fabulous, yet cheaper idea for gorgeous, large, classy looking baseboards. Since the pandemic, I too have gained lot of weight, and finding it so hard to get rid of. Except for pregnancies, I weigh more than I’ve ever weighed. Please help, by telling us, your followers what you are doing to lose weight. Please help! I hate looking like this. Heeelp!