How To Replace Missing Trim On Furniture

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Don’t pass up those oldies because they are missing trim/molding! Let me show you how to replace missing trim on furniture!

Hello friends!

I’m back today to share how I fixed the missing trim on the antique cabinet I shared on Tuesday.
If you missed that, you can see it right here>>> Antique Cabinet Makeover

It really is easier than you think. So I hope to show you that if you come across a piece with missing trim in the future, you won’t immediately pass it by!

This is not the first time I’ve done something like this. I actually created a missing handle many, many years ago!
You can check out how I did that here >>> Missing Hardware?? Here’s a Fix!

handle made with clay

AND making and replacing missing trim/molding on this dresser saved the day! >>> Giverny Chalk Paint Makeover Dresser

clay molding on wood leg dresser

Isn’t that neat???

How To Replace Missing Trim On Furniture

Here is the cabinet before…

antique wood cabinet before fixing and painting

And a close-up of the missing trim…

up close of missing trim piece on wood furniture

Totally not a problem!! Well, if you want to paint it, it’s not a problem, if you want to stain it… well, that’s a problem.
So, if you come across these pieces that you have to make trim for, just know that you’ll probably be painting it.

Here’s how I did it.

Step 1. Make a mold of existing trim to match

using brown clay to make a mold of existing trim

Get some clay like this Sculpy Clay to make the mold.

clay mold of trim

Step 2. Bake in the oven to harden it

clay mold on baking pan in oven

Step 3. Fill the baked mold with more clay

Dust with powder before filling so it won’t stick.

hardened clay mold with powder in it

Then fill it and scrape away the excess.

hardened clay mold with soft clay inside

Take it out of the mold and trim to neaten it up.

molded piece in hand

trimming away excess clay on molded piece

Step 4. Bake to harden it

baking piece in oven

Step 6. Glue to furniture with clamps

replacement clay piece in place on furniture

I used wood glue and clamps like this.

clamps on drawer with to secure new molding piece glued

And that’s it!

glued piece finished

It might seem like a lot of steps but it’s really not a big deal at all!
Have some missing trim?? Give this a try!

Once painted, you will never know.

painted cabinet with missing trim pieces

Where is it???

drawer view of missing piece hard to distinguish from rest

Can’t tell, can you??

up close of trim piece repaired

Isn’t that the coolest thing??

I love how simple it is!

There are SO many of these old pieces floating around out there. And many, many of them are missing trim pieces. This is a great way to fix that problem!

PIN it to save it!

Don't pass up those oldies because they are missing trim/molding! Let me show you how to replace missing trim on furniture! artsychicksrule.com

I hope you have an amazing weekend! Yay for warm weather and sunshine!

xoxo


35 Comments

  1. Nancy,
    When I started reading this, I was saying to myself, how can you fix what is missing. Wow what a great tip and it looks like it was never missing in the first place. Thanks for this lesson, I will definitely open my eyes to other possibilities.

  2. Amazing !! What is that crystal looking material you put in the mold to actually make the mold piece; and what kind of powder did you use for nonstick of results to mold housing. All blessings to you

    1. Thanks, Willie! I think you might be talking about the aluminum foil when I placed it in the oven. I just used regular body powder actually, I think it was Burt’s Bees! :)

  3. That is genius! I know they sell moldings and trim pieces but they are pricey and unlikely to find one that completely matches. I also would like to know what type of powder to use.

  4. You make it look so easy, Nancy! I have a beautiful piece that’s badly damaged and I’ve been considering trying this fix. I’d be delighted if it turned out as well as yours. The color you chose, along with the glaze, make the cabinet so much more appealing than it was originally.

  5. The clay fix is wonderful, you did a fantastic job! I really like this piece of furniture and with the color you chose for the exterior I think it looks sophisticated. Yes, there is a but, just my opinion..that inside pop of color just does not fit nor does that extremely colorful shelf. I really can’t believe you did that, it seems so unlike the work you do.
    I think your dog is beautiful, he looks like a little baby you just want to pull onto your lap.

    1. Yes! It works so well, Mary! And yes, I understand. Things are fluid when making things over sometimes. And what I mean by that is, I found the napkins that had a similar blue color in them, then decided to use the turquoise color in the napkin as the paint color for the interior to bring it all together. I’m actually glad about your reaction as I like to mix things up every once in a while! ;)

      And thank you! Yes, he is exactly that! And will try to sit in your lap (as big as he is) if you will let him! lol

  6. AMAZING!!!! Seems so easy too!!!…..AND you did it all with a perfect (as usual) manicure!!!
    Have a good weekend!!

    1. Thanks, Addie! :) It IS easy, I promise! Easier than you think, for sure. Haha!! I don’t think so but thank you!! It’s hard to keep my nails looking nice, I tell ya! Happy weekend to you! xoxo

  7. I have a very old gilded mirror with a damaged corner. I will try your amazing tip. Hope it turns out half as good as yours!

  8. What a great idea!!!! What color did you use for the exterior of the cabinet..if you stated I missed it
    Michele

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