Our Flex moldings are becoming increasingly popular. You see them more and more often in modern homes, hotels, studios, and rental apartments where residents want to add a soft and elegant touch to the space without major renovations. And honestly: well-placed frames or arches instantly make a room warmer, more chic, and more atmospheric.

Because our Flex mouldings are growing in popularity (and are relatively easy to install), we're seeing a number of common mistakes in customer inquiries. These are small mistakes that won't ruin your project, but they can make it look less sleek, less luxurious, and less symmetrical.

In this blog we will take you through the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Not cutting the moldings straight

by far the most common mistake

This is the classic. And it's also the mistake that has the greatest impact on the final result, because every frame (and often arches as well) consists of multiple sections where the moldings must meet perfectly. If the ends aren't cut straight, you get:

• Micro-cracks that remain visible after painting
• Corners that don't quite fit
• An arch that looks asymmetrical
• Unnecessary gluing or sealing work

The problem is almost always caused by unstable cutting .

How this happens

Many people hold the molding in one hand, letting it hang slightly, and then cut with the other. Because of the bending, the molding pulls at an angle, and the cut automatically becomes crooked. It looks straight at the time, but when you're joining the pieces, you immediately see that it's not right.

How to prevent this

1. Keep the molding flat and horizontal while cutting
If necessary, place the frame on a table or workbench. If the frame sags, bends, or sways, don't cut. The shape determines the cut.

2. Cut slowly, not in one quick movement
Skirting board shears or a sharp utility knife work best. To use a utility knife, cut gently.
For skirting board shears: squeeze gently and evenly.

3. Check the connection before you start gluing ("dry fit")
This prevents 95 percent of all gaps. Place the two ends together without taping them.
If it doesn't fit properly, trim it by a millimeter and test again.

4. Always count on cutting loss
This is why we recommend a standard additional margin of 10% per roll .
Better to take another chance at cutting straight than to force it and end up with a visible seam.

5. Small cracks? Use a little acrylic sealant
There is no shame in that, professionals do it that way too.

• Fill the gap lightly
• Spread it with a wet finger
• Let it dry
• Paint over it for an invisible bond

With these tips you can ensure that your arch or frame looks neat and professional, even without DIY experience.

Error 2: Gluing too quickly and not straight (causing a warp in the arc)

Self-adhesive frames are fantastic. But precisely because they're easy, many people stick them... too quickly. And it shows. A few millimeters of deviation seems harmless, but especially in longer strips when making frames, it immediately becomes unbearably noticeable.

• The most common problems:
• The list runs in a mini-wave ("beat") across the wall
• The arch is not quite perfectly round
• The center point shifts
• The ends do not come out symmetrically

The cause

Almost always: lack of planning. People don't sign enough, or not at all, and immediately start pasting.

With flexible moldings, it works exactly the opposite way than with hard material: you should not stick "guided by feeling", but by doing the preparatory work .

How to prevent this

1. First mark exactly where the frame should go
Use tape, pencil or marker and a spirit level.
This is the difference between “almost straight” and “perfectly straight”.

2. Work slowly, piece by piece
Peel off the part of the adhesive strip you need little by little.
Only press a few centimeters at a time. This prevents arc shifts.

3. Use a long spirit level (at least 60 to 120 cm)
This is especially essential for vertical lines and connecting pieces.
Pressing a spirit level against the molding will help keep the line perfectly straight the first time. Have one person hold the spirit level while the other does the gluing.

4. Check the curve before you glue it completely
You can always shape Flex Frames a little first without attaching them.
Dry fitting is key here again.

When you work step by step, there will be no lines and your project will be completely symmetrical.

Error 3: Pulling the molding off the wall incorrectly, damaging the plasterwork

When someone notices that the molding isn't straight or that the ends don't fit neatly, they often quickly pull it off and try again. It sounds obvious, but it can damage the plaster. And then you suddenly have a new problem.

Why?

Self-adhesive moldings are strong enough to adhere well, but not designed to be completely pulled off multiple times during installation.

You often see this happen:

• Pieces of plaster or paint come loose
• The wall is getting rougher
• The list will stick less well if you re-stick it
• The arch loses its symmetry because the ground becomes uneven

How to prevent this

The answer is simple: Prevent yourself from having to pull it out. And this happens automatically if you take mistakes 1 & 2 seriously:

• Straight cutting edges ensure that corners and connections are correct immediately
• Slow, level and level gluing prevents crooked work
• Dry fitting prevents surprises

So it is not an isolated error, but the consequential damage of the first two errors.

Mistake 4: Choosing the wrong radius for the arc

Now that we've covered the practical mistakes, we come to a design choice that also very often goes wrong: choosing a radius that is too small or too large.

Too small a radius will cause:

• A tight, unnatural arch
• More tension on the list
• More chance of micro-cracks in the middle
• Greater chance of a hit in the list

How to choose the right radius

Use our calculator on each product page to determine exactly how many meters you need and which radius suits your project. We use a minimum radius of 50 cm, but this is already close to the limit. For absolute peace of mind, it's best to use 60 cm.

Error 5: Incorrect spacing between multiple arcs or planes

When people make two or three arcs or planes next to each other, you often see that they:

• Placed too close together
• Standing too far apart
• Illogically positioned in relation to electrical outlets, corners or furniture

You'll end up with a messy look that negates the luxurious effect. So remember:

• Symmetry is sacred

• Always take into account elements in the room (sofa, window, furniture)

This makes it look as if the frames “were supposed to be there” already.

Error 6: Not matching the proportions to the wall

An arch of 60 cm wide on a wall of 4 meters… disappears completely.

The rule of thumb

• Arches should occupy at least 30 to 60 percent of the wall height

• And 40 to 70 percent of the width
  This creates a visual balance that makes your eyes happy.

How do you avoid all these mistakes with flexible moldings from Velida?

Our flex frames help you prevent many problems due to their properties:

• Flexible material makes round shapes easy and sleek

• Self-adhesive adhesive strip prevents hassle with glue

• 6 meters per roll gives more play, cutting loss and creative freedom

• Smooth finish after painting due to the fine profile

• Easy to correct as long as you don't press down fully

But the key is always: work calmly, prepare well and use the right tools.

Conclusion

Making a bow isn't a complicated project. With the right steps, it's actually one of the easiest and most impactful makeovers you can undertake. But as with any DIY project, precision determines the outcome.

By cutting cleanly, applying carefully, and marking beforehand, you can prevent virtually all problems, from uneven curves to damaged plasterwork. And with the correct radius, spacing, and proportions, your arch will not only be neat but also aesthetically perfect.

Want to get started right away? Read our installation guide here or use the calculator on the product page to determine how many meters you need.