How many metres of decorative mouldings do I need?

One of the questions we get most often from customers is: how do I know how many metres of moulding I need for my wall?
In this guide I explain step by step how to calculate it. That way you can get to work with flex mouldings on your own, without ordering too much or too little.

CALCULATOR

Easily calculate how much moulding you need

Enter the dimensions of your arch and instantly see how many metres of flexible moulding you need for your project.

Height Width
meter
meter
For a tight arch, a minimum width of 50 cm (0.5 m) is required.
The height must be greater than half the width.

Step 1: my design

The first step is deciding exactly what pattern you want on your wall. Think carefully about your desired layout: do you want one or several panels? A sleek frame or playful shapes such as arches? What fits visually with the rest of your interior? Applications such as a wainscoting look are also popular here. Your design ultimately determines how many metres you need, so give it proper thought.

Because the design possibilities are endless, we will cover exactly how to create a design in an upcoming blog. Nowadays this is very easy with AI.

Step 2: measuring is knowing

In the second step we measure the width of the wall where you want to place a moulding. Let's use an example.

In this example we assume a wall 4.80 m wide and 2.50 m high for placing mouldings. On this wall we will apply three moulding frames: two narrow frames at the sides and a wider one in the middle. We will use this layout to calculate exactly how many metres of moulding are needed.

Step 3: dividing up the wall

Let's take a logical design based on the wall. In general, people leave about 10 to 15 centimetres of space between frames. This creates a calm look on the wall. You can of course choose more space in between, depending on your taste and interior.

Now it is important to get the dimensions clear:

Element

Width (cm)

Left spacing (wall)

30

Narrow frame left

90

Spacing left/middle

15

Middle frame

200

Spacing middle/right

15

Narrow frame right

90

Right spacing (wall)

30

Total

480 cm

Based on the design, we divide the 4.80 metre wall into separate parts. We keep 30 cm of space at the sides and 15 cm between the frames, so the whole stays airy and symmetrical.

The total adds up to exactly 480 cm, the full width of the wall. This layout forms the basis of your final calculation.

Step 4: the height of the frames

Now that we have determined the width layout, let's look at the height of the frames.

A commonly used rule of thumb is to keep 65 to 75% of the wall height. That leaves enough space above and below, which creates calm in the overall picture.

That gives a frame height of 190 cm, with 30 cm of space above and below (for skirting and ceiling).

Step 5: calculating

Now it is time to calculate how many metres of flex moulding you need in total.

Based on our design with three frames, we calculate below exactly how many metres of moulding you need. The width and height measurements per frame lead to the following total calculation:

Frame position

Width (cm)

Height (cm)

Horizontal (2×)

Vertical (2×)

Total per frame

Left (narrow)

90

190

1.80 m

3.80 m

5.60 m

Middle (wide)

200

190

4.00 m

3.80 m

7.80 m

Right (narrow)

90

190

1.80 m

3.80 m

5.60 m

Subtotal





19.00 m

+ 10% cutting loss





+1.90 m

Total needed





20.90 m

As you can see, the total required length comes to 19.00 metres. But we are not there yet, because you always have to deal with cutting loss. When cutting mouldings to size you always lose a small part. Think of corners that were not cut straight, small corrections or cutting mistakes.

To be sure you have enough, we recommend always adding 10% extra on top of the total. Example: Do you need 19 metres? Then order about 20.90 metres including cutting loss.

Cutting loss is not waste, but a safety margin that prevents frustration and ensures a professional end result.

Ready to get started?

As you have seen, calculating the right amount of moulding is mainly a matter of good preparation. By first getting your design clear and then measuring and calculating smartly, you avoid surprises during installation. And with 10% cutting loss as a buffer, you are always safe.

Whether you choose a sleek frame, several panels or something more creative, you now have everything you need to get started with confidence.

Show us your result

Have you installed your mouldings? Then we are very curious about the end result! Send your photo to info@velida.nl or tag us on Instagram via @velida.nl. You will have a chance to be featured on our page!

FAQ: Velida flex mouldings and installation

Not difficult at all. The flex mouldings are self-adhesive and you install them in three steps: mark, cut to size and press on. For the best result, paint them along with the wall afterwards. Our installation guide explains every step.

This depends on the design you want to create.

To help you get started, we have written a guide on how to easily determine how much length you need.

Yes. The mouldings come with a high-quality adhesive strip that ensures long-lasting adhesion, including on smooth plastered walls or renovation lining paper. Do make sure the surface is free of grease and dust.

Once you have pressed the moulding on firmly and the shape is final, we advise against pulling it off again. The adhesive strip is very strong and ensures long-lasting adhesion, but removing it from painted walls can leave marks.

Absolutely. All Velida flex mouldings can be painted over with wall paint. That way you can fully integrate them into your interior colour or create a beautiful accent wall with a tone-on-tone effect.

While applying, you can still carefully correct the flex moulding. We recommend lightly marking the line with a pencil beforehand, so you can follow it neatly and straight.

For the best result it helps to do this together: one person keeps the flex moulding under tension, the other presses it precisely against the marked line.

Once you have pressed the moulding on firmly and the shape is final, we advise against pulling the flex mouldings off again. The adhesive strip is strong and ensures long-lasting adhesion, but removing it from painted walls can leave marks or pull off patches of old paint.

Our tip: Take your time when marking and applying. Then it is right the first time and you will enjoy a sleek end result for years.

Of course! That is exactly the strength of Velida flex mouldings. Thanks to the flexible material you can effortlessly create curved shapes and arch decorations.

Velida flex mouldings are designed as a durable interior upgrade. But do you want to remove them anyway? That is possible, as long as you do it carefully and in a controlled way.

Important: Always pull the mouldings off slowly, section by section. Start at one end and pull gradually, without yanking. This prevents damage to the wall or paint layer.

With firmly pressed mouldings (especially after a longer period) the adhesive strip can bond so well that paint comes off during removal, especially on delicate surfaces such as thin paint layers or untreated renovation lining paper.

Our tip: If needed, gently warm the moulding with a hairdryer (lukewarm) before loosening it. This makes the adhesive slightly more supple and reduces the risk of damage.

Want to be 100% sure of damage-free removal in the future? First test on an inconspicuous piece of wall or choose to install on well-painted, smooth surfaces.

Yes, the material is moisture-resistant and bends without breaking. The surface does need to be dry and flat during application.

Why Velida?

Self-adhesive & flexible

Our decorative mouldings (flex mouldings, really) are bendable, 6 metres long and fitted with a strong adhesive strip. You easily attach them to smooth walls, concrete, painted walls and wood¹.

Affordable design

At Velida you do not pay for complicated installations of semi-finished products or (unnecessarily) expensive materials.

You get high-quality flex mouldings with a luxurious look, for a fair price.

Easy installation

Flex mouldings are super easy to attach. The material is sturdy yet easy to cut with a moulding cutter.

Mark, cut to size and stick.

All you need is a spirit level, a moulding cutter and/or a set square for straight lines and neatly connecting corners.

Velida recommends painting the flex mouldings after installation for the most beautiful effect.

Please note¹: for optimal adhesion of the flex mouldings it is important that the surface is clean, dry and free of grease. Our mouldings adhere to smooth walls, painted surfaces, wood, tiles and wallpaper.

Not suitable for rough or porous surfaces such as brick or unfinished plaster.