No doorway? No problem. This Faux-Doorway Corbel DIY is your solution for dividing one space into two! Perfect for awkwardly long rooms, open pantries, and little nooks that jut out from main rooms.
(This DIY went *overwhelmingly* viral on Instagram last week so I thought I’d share the process and all the materials in a post here!) Check out my original reel here.
To get the look, here are all the materials and supplies you’ll need:
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- The exact corbels I used (Amazon)
- The wallpaper I used (Amazon)
- Half rounds
- No More Nails adhesive (Amazon)
- 3/4-inch finishing nails (Amazon)
- Nail setter (Amazon)
- Wood filler (Amazon)
- Paintable caulking (Amazon)
- Frog Tape (Amazon)
- Wall paint (of your choice)
Why This Solution Works So Well
I have a very narrow hallway that leads into my dining nook. And its weird doorless-doorway has no frame. It always bothered me because there was nothing defining the hallway area from the dining area. So I had the idea to create a divide between the two spaces using corbels, textured wallpaper, and some trim to create a more intentional separation between the two zones.
This works so well, especially in a narrow space, because it’s not bulky. It barely takes up any horizontal space, so it divides the two spaces while keeping the narrow hallway as wide and open as it can be.
Step 1: Install the Corbels
I recommend primarily using No More Nails to adhere the corbels to your wall, along with a couple of discreetly placed finishing nails. (The nails will prevent them from slipping down your walls as the adhesive dries.)
Step 2: Apply the wallpaper
This wallpaper is textured, paintable, and pre-pasted. It’s not peel ‘n’ stick or removable, but you also don’t need to buy wallpaper paste to apply it. Cut your piece to size (I measured mine to the same width as the bottom edge of my corbel) and then submerge it in water for 30 seconds. Remove it from the water, lay it on your floor paste side UP to let the adhesive activate for 5 minutes, and then it’s ready to apply to your wall. It went on surprisingly easy!
*Make sure the textured pattern is centred and plumb! Mark your centre measurements on your wall and get your level out. It’s these details that make the final result look pro.
Step 3: Attach the half-rounds
The half rounds complete this whole look. Measure them from the top of your corbel to your baseboard, and then cut the top end at a similar angle to the corbel detailing. Attach to the wall using No More Nails and more finishing nails.
When you’re done hammering in your nails, punch them in just below the surface of the wood using a nail setter and fill the holes will wood filler. When dry, sand everything smooth.
Step 4: Caulk all your edges
For the most professional finish, you’ve got to caulk all your seams! Any place where one material touches another (trim to wallpaper, corbel to wall, corbel to wallpaper, etc.) you need to smooth it over with caulking. I love using this caulking for this step — it dries in 30 minutes and is paintable!
Step 5: Tape and Paint
If you plan on changing your wall colour between your two spaces (like how mine transitions from green to white), then I recommend taping a straight line along your half round trim to ensure a clean paint line. And as someone who has been refinishing furniture for 4 years, this is the only tape I trust.
*Pro-Tip: For the crispiest line — 1. apply your tape, 2. paint your original wall colour along the edge of your tape to seal it off and allow to dry fully, 3. THEN going in with your new wall colour. When everything dries and you peel back your tape, it will reveal the sharpest line of your life. (Here’s a video showing what I mean!)
The Final Results
This turned out exactly like what I has envisioned. It does a great job of dividing one space into two, and does it with a lot of textural and vintage charm too. So if you need separation between spaces, and a solution that looks more intentional than just abruptly changing your wall colour — this corbel DIY is for you!
