Give your home an upgrade with freshly painted or stained baseboards.
We have all the tips you need for a successful job.
Consistent throughout your home, baseboards make the natural flow from room to room seamless.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
When choosing new baseboards or upgrading old ones, you have the option to paint or stain them.
Both are great options but result in two very different looks.
Whichever you choose, we have you covered.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
Below, find our tutorial on how to paint baseboards, as well as instructions for staining baseboards.
Be sure to always sand with the grain, not against it.
Wipe away the residue with a tack cloth.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
Don’t worry about smoothing the putty down yet.
Lightly sand the filled spots until the surface is even and wipe clean.
Step 3: Paint Baseboards
Protect the floor and wall with painter’s tape before painting.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
Finish with longer strokes in one direction only, working with the wood grain.
Use only the tips of the bristles to smooth out the paint.
Filler can be applied before or after staining; experiment to find out which looks best.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
Begin by tamping a small amount of the filler into the hole with your thumb.
Smooth it with a putty knife.
Staining uninstalled baseboards is easier because you might finish them on a waist-high work surface.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
Sand the baseboards with sanding paper or a sanding block and wipe dust particles away with a tack cloth.
Step 2: Apply Stain
Mix the stain before using.
With a brush or a lint-free cloth, apply it with the grain.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
Slightly overlap your strokes so that you don’t miss any spots.
Let the stain set according to the manufacturer’s directions.
This forces the stain’s pigment into the grain, enhancing contrast.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
For the second coat, brush with the grain to avoid ridges.
When it dries, implement the baseboard and fill the nail holes with wood putty.
For a silky smooth polyurethane finish, let the first coat of polyurethane dry thoroughly.
Then lightly buff the surface with #0000 steel wool or fine (320-grit) sandpaper.
Repeat this step between any additional coats you apply.
Consider the Finish and Material
When choosing new baseboards, consider the finish.
Whether it will bepainted, stained, or left natural determines the material selection.
Wood is the traditional choice, but it’s not your only option.
The grain and hardness of cherry and birch are similar.
