Easy door upgrade with moulding

Decor, DIY, Entryway

Many apartments have basic builder grade finishes that can be pretty plain and boring, and my apartment is no exception. I have very inexpensive hallow core doors that have zero character or architectural detail and they were screaming for some moulding detail. But being a renter, I had to figure out a creative way to do install it without making any holes or permanent changes to the door. The solution? Removable double sided tape!

Door-moulding-before-and-after

Here’s how I did it:

Step 1: Cut the molding with a miter box and saw to make your design (cutting the moulding at a 45 degree angle makes nicer joints at the corners). For my door, I made 3 squares roughly 20″x20″.  Update: you can skip the cutting part and buy the moulding ready made here – huge time saver!

Easy door upgrade step 1

Door-molding-step-2

Step 2:  Place Glue Dots HybriBond Repositionable Mounting Tape on the back of the moulding and remove the liner

Door-moulding-step-2-part-1

Door-moulding-step-2-part-2

Step 3: Place on the door, and reposition until all the pieces are nicely aligned, then press firmly into place. Using tape to mark out the outline of where you want your moulding to be makes it a lot easier to install.

Door-moulding-step-3

Step 4:  Fill in the gaps at the corners with wood filler, let it dry and sand until smooth before painting the moulding to match the door or a contrasting color, depending on the look you want.

Door-moulding-step-4

Now my doors have a lot more personality than before and it was a mess-free, nail-free project!

Door-moulding-close-up

 * This post was sponsored by Glue Dots – all opinions are my own *

24 Comments

  1. MySurvey63

    Wow, you’re really pushing these Glue Dots products — kinda reaching, and way too much IMHO. Those Glue Duts are really not terribly useful. Sponsored or not, I can’t imagine they’re going to hold up over time. Maybe some manufacturer of teeny brads can sponsor something like this in the future. Or just build something that’s not sponsored.

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thank you so much for your comment MySurvey63. I’m happy to promote and spread the word about products that I love and use and Glue Dots happens to be one of them. The moulding has been up for months and hasn’t budged at all but nails, screws or other glues are always an option if that’s what you prefer to use.

      Isabelle

      Reply
    • Gina

      Mysurvey63…..didn’t your mother teach you…..”if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”?

      Reply
      • MySurvey63

        Because pointing out what may be sponsored bias is important. I own Glue Dots, and I don’t find them at all useful or reliable. Perhaps this particula product is better than the original. Informed skepticism and asking questions isn’t “not nice”, it’s just that: skepticism.

        Reply
  2. Gina

    I love this idea. I will be sharing this with my 2 kids who are moving into new apartments very soon. Thanks for sharing! I love all your tips and am amazed with all you have done in your apartments.

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thanks Gina for sharing my idea with your kids!!

      Reply
  3. HelenK

    Isabelle, Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas. Sponsored or not, I appreciate learning about products which can do a job and which I might not know about otherwise. Your creativity is inspirational. Please don’t stop!

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thank you so much Helen, I really appreciate it!

      Reply
  4. Debbie Farag

    Great idea. I look forward to your postings –they are doable for an inexperienced person and with minimal equipment. I like the way you think.
    Thanks for sharing, Debbie

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thank you so much Debbie! I try to make my projects as easy as possible to make!

      Reply
  5. Kate

    Love your practical ideas,including glue dots Wish you were here in NZ. Love your style, ingenuity and problem solving – a reference book to buy would be very useful.
    Look forward to your posts – Im now giving my hollow doors the eye!!

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thanks so much Kate for your comment! I’ve been thinking about a book so that’s definitely a possibility in the future. Haha, sounds like those doors will be getting a new look soon, let me know how that goes!

      Reply
  6. Jan Clark

    Adding the door molding is a nice touch to personalize your rented space!

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thanks Jan, glad you like it!

      Reply
  7. Benedikte

    Dear Isabelle
    I have followed you at youtube for a while now and I am so impressed by all your ideas and your creative approach.
    Slowly I have arranged my own little corner with many of the handy tools (it’s really fun to visit the hardware store now) Due to your simple instructions our home finally gets a little attention towards some renewal. Thank you for your GREAT inspiration. Greetings from Denmark

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thank you so much Benedikte for your kind words! I’m so happy to hear that you’ve been inspired to make your little corner of the world in Denmark a more beautiful place to live and that you’re now enjoying your visits to the hardware store 🙂 It’s my favorite place to shop and browse to get new ideas! All the best in your future DIY projects. Isabelle

      Reply
  8. Patty

    I wish I saw this before I bought solid doors that were too expensive. I love this idea. Keep up the good work!

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thank you Patty!

      Reply
  9. Letia

    I love to hear both the positive and negitive opionins about a product. I own my own home but love the option of a project being temparary.

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      Thank you Letia, I appreciate your support!

      Reply
  10. Melendez

    Funny I have been looking on pinterest and they had ideas but it was permanent therefore thx for your rental friendly idea, 2 thumbs up

    Reply
    • Isabelle

      You’re welcome!

      Reply
  11. CLK

    I love this idea. I have an old house with hollow-core doors and want the look of the panel without the expense. This is perfect. All I need to do now is by the molding, tape and paint the doors. Do you recommend I sand and paint and then apply the molding or sand, apply the molding and then paint. Looking forward to your reply.

    Reply
    • Isabelle LaRue

      Hi! Glad you like my idea! I would recommend to sand and paint after applying the molding. Have fun and share pics of your project when you do it, I would love to see it.

      Reply

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