Update Baseboards and Trim
New flooring with old, dinged-up baseboards looks unfinished. Fresh baseboards complete the transformation and hide the expansion gap between flooring and walls.
Time Required
4-8 hours
Cost
$100-$500
Difficulty
Moderate
Installation Steps
Remove old baseboards
Score the paint line with a utility knife first, then pry gently with a flat bar. Place a thin scrap of wood behind the bar to protect the wall from dents.
Measure and cut
Measure each wall individually — rarely are opposite walls exactly the same length. Inside corners get a coped joint. Outside corners get a 45° miter on each piece.
Nail into place
Use a brad nailer or finish nails. Nail into wall studs at the bottom and top of the baseboard. A stud finder saves guesswork.
Fill, caulk, and paint
Fill nail holes with wood filler, caulk the top seam where baseboard meets wall, and apply two coats of semi-gloss paint. Caulking hides wavy walls.
Popular Baseboard Styles
- Colonial: Classic curved profile, works with traditional and transitional rooms ($0.80-$2.00/ft)
- Craftsman/Square: Clean flat profile with slight bevel, suits modern and farmhouse styles ($0.60-$1.50/ft)
- MDF primed: Budget-friendly, paintable, consistent finish. Won't warp like wood ($0.50-$1.00/ft)
- Tall baseboards (5.25"+): Make rooms feel more upscale. The taller the baseboard, the more formal the room feels
Pro Tips
- •Paint before installing: Pre-paint baseboards on sawhorses for a smoother finish, then just touch up nail holes after installation.
- •Cope inside corners: Coped joints look better than miters on inside corners because walls are rarely perfectly square. It takes practice but gives a tight fit.
- •Add quarter-round or shoe molding: A small molding piece at the base covers any remaining gap between baseboard and flooring, especially on uneven floors.