How to Lay Out Picture Frame Molding

Organize the picture frame molding by the top and bottom and left and right sides. The top and bottom are usually the shortest pieces and they are of matching sizes, as are the left and right sides.

Place the molding so the part that faces outward is right-side up.

Measure the width of the wall where the molding will be placed.

Measure the width of each picture frame. Divide the total measurement of the wall by the size of each picture frame. For example, if the wall is 145 inches and you have four picture frames that are 30 inches wide, the frames should 6.25 inches apart.

Example: 30 inches x 4 frames = 120 inches
145 inches - 120 inches = 25 inches
25 inches/4 = 6.25 inches

Find the average chair or sofa height. Measure up from the top of the chair rail or sofa back 4 1/2 inches or higher. The bottom of the molding should be placed about this height on the wall, but should not be too high so that the pictures are no longer at eye level.

Nail the bottom molding into the wall using a hammer. Connect each side molding and nail them into place. Then connect the top piece.

Position the bottom molding of each picture frame at the same level; the top levels can differ in heights. You can also hang one large picture beside two smaller pictures -- one stacked above another. The smaller bottom picture's molding must be in line with the larger picture next to it.