Easy DIY Reeded or Fluted Wall Moulding Tutorial

Accent wall ideas are all the rage these days and they are a great way to elevate your builder grade homes. If you’re looking for an easy DIY wall treatment ideas that you can do in your own home, I have the best reeded wall moulding tutorial for you. Making your own wall panels might sound intimidating but trust me, that’s a common misconception! Stick around to see how I transformed my master bedroom with simple trim pieces.

If you’re new to the world of DIY, I highly recommend checking out this beginner DIY toolkit post which will tell you the right tools you need to get started. The best way to start your DIY journey is by taking on a simple project, and wall treatments are exactly that! Great thing you’re here, huh? I am SO in love with how this moulding project turned out and I can’t wait to share it with you. From vision to reality I want to show you how I put this gorgeous reeded detailing on my bedroom wall with trim moulding from Woodgrain Millwork. 

Is wall paneling a good idea?

Yes, in my opinion, wall paneling is ALWAYS a good idea! Why? Well first things first, wall panels can add a lot of character to a boring, blank wall. It’s a great way to add interest and dimension to a blank interior space. When I moved into my new home which was a new build but very cookie-cutter, trim work was one of the first things to add on the list. Interior designers often use wall moulding as a way to make an entire room feel historic or even modern, depending on the type of molding used. For example, pole wrap can make a living space feel contemporary while more ornate decorative molding can add a vintage design style. Custom mouldings aren’t just decorative, they also protect walls from damage and scuffs. Although, to be honest, that’s never the first thing on my mind when I’m designing a living room with wall moulding.

Are wall panels still in style?

Wall panels are a timeless design choice which are definitely still in style. There are so many different types of wall treatments to choose from. The simplest being adding a chair rail or picture frame moulding to an entire room. With the versatile panel mouldings available to consumers now, there’s a style to fit everyone’s needs. It’s also an easy way to get started with DIY projects with minimal prep work.

Alright, so let’s get into this Reeded Wall Moulding tutorial! I was inspired by the gorgeous reeded paneling in Shea McGee’s bedroom and wanted to recreate a similar look for an entire wall in my primary bedroom.

I am so thrilled to have partnered up with Woodgrain for this project! Woodgrain Millwork had the most unique reeded casing which was perfect for this look. I was able to find all the material I needed and the best part is they stock at retailers like Home Depot as well. If you are interested in the exact moulding I got it is “DM FLC7 (1/2″ x 3-1/8″ x 84”). You can locate a retailer close to your location using their website. Woodgrain is the largest millwork manufacturer in the United States with locations all across the country. Their diverse range of products includes moulding, prefinished moulding, door products, window parts and much more. If you’ve ever bought moulding from Home Depot or Lowes that’s marked as ‘Finished Elegance’ or ‘DecraMold’ you’ve got yourself a Woodgrain product!

And now, back to the tutorial, here’s what you need for this project:

Note: All quantities will vary according to the size of the wall you are working on

Reeded Wall Moulding Tutorial

Material and Tools Needed

• Reeded/Fluted Casing
• 1x8x8′ MDF boards
• Liquid Nails
• Brad Nail Gun
• 1.5″ Brad nails
• Wood Filler
• Caulking
• Caulking Gun
• Laser Level
• Miter Saw
• Tape Measure

1. Step 1: The first steps are to measure your wall and the material to figure out how many boards of each you need. I went with a grid pattern for this specific design with the 1×8″ MDF boards and the reeded casing in between. I approximately used 25 reeded casing boards, and 9 1×8″ MDF boards. Remember, take precise measurements and measure twice!
2. Step 2: Use liquid nails on the back of the MDF boards and nail into wall all across the perimeter to create a border. Make sure you’re hitting studs wherever you can. I used my laser level to ensure all boards were perfectly level.
3. Step 3: To create the grid I installed a long horizontal line of 1×8″ boards 46″ from the bottom of the baseboard to the bottom of the horizontal board.
4. Step 4: Measure the distance between the middle horizontal board and the top board. Cut 1x8s to size and install the two vertical boards. Depending on your wall, the exact width of height will be different for everyone. Repeat the liquid nails and brad nails process to install these boards.
5. Step 5: Now that you have your grid in place, we can start filling in with the reeded molding. Measure the length for each section and measure in various places to account for a slight variance in cut lengths. Cut your moulding to size and nail into wall without leaving any gaps in between. If you’re left with a smaller gap you will have to trim your molding using either a table saw or a jigsaw.
6. Step 6: Once all boards are installed, fill all the nail holes using wood filler and caulk all the seams (yes, in between each reeded board as well!) It might sound like a lot of work but trust me it’s well worth the effort to get that professional look.
7. Step 7: Congratulations! You are now ready to prime and paint your DIY reeded wall moulding!

I hope you guys try recreating this DIY trim design in your homes and if you do, tag me so I can see! For video highlights on this project check out my instagram highlight reel “Reeded Wall“.

Other Wall Paneling Projects You May Like

If you enjoyed this DIY reeded wall moulding tutorial you might want to check out my other feature wall projects. The dining room wall paneling is one of my favorites and I also love the board and batten I installed in Zaki’s playroom!

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DIY Double Raised Paneling Feature Wall Tutorial

• Fariha
• April 11, 2024

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Battles with Board and Batten – ORC Week 2

• Fariha
• May 14, 2020