How this particular wall divides
The 3 columns leave 2 interior gaps. The two side margins use 8 inches and the gaps use 8 inches, leaving 56 inches for the frame outlines. Dividing that space by 3 gives an outer box width of 18.667 in (≈ 18 11/16″).
Height = (96 − 2 × 6 − 0 × 5) / 1 = 84 in
With a single row there is no interior vertical gap, so only the top and bottom margins reduce the frame height. The top and bottom margins are each 6 inches. The frames are taller than they are wide, with an outer height-to-width ratio of 4.5. Use these proportions as a tape mock-up, rather than assuming they suit the furniture on your wall.
Centerline and boundary checks
The middle column is centered on the wall; its outer edges sit equally far from the centerline. The first outer left edge is 4 in (≈ 4″). The last column starts at 49.333 in (≈ 49 5/16″) and ends at 68 in (≈ 68″), leaving the intended 4-inch right margin. The final row ends at 90 in (≈ 90″). Check these far edges from the same origin you used for the first box.
The 1.25-inch face width reduces each inner dimension by 2.5 inches. That leaves 16.167 in (≈ 16 3/16″) by 81.5 in (≈ 81 1/2″) of exposed wall within each outline. The listed cut lengths still use the outside long points. If you want a particular inner opening instead, account for both sides of the profile when you revise the outer geometry.
What the material count means here
This layout needs 6 horizontal pieces at 18.667 in (≈ 18 11/16″) and 6 vertical pieces at 84 in (≈ 84″). There are 12 individual pieces, each with two 45-degree ends. Their combined finished long-point length is 616 inches, or 51.333 feet. The 10% linear allowance adds 61.6 inches to that budget and produces a 8-stick length estimate.
The longest piece is 84 in (≈ 84″). With a 0.125 in (≈ 1/8″) blade and 0.354 in (≈ 3/8″) reserved for the two 45-degree cuts on each piece, the longest-first cutting plan uses 8 working sticks, leaving 147.757 inches of combined tails after kerf. Those tails may be several separate pieces and cannot be treated as one long board. The combined purchase figure is 8 8ft sticks. Turning off the 10% allowance changes the linear figure to 7 sticks and the combined purchase figure to 8; the working plan still controls the purchase because whole pieces must fit.
Two alternatives worth taping on the wall
Adding one column gives 4 across and 4 frames in total. With the same margins and gaps, each becomes 13 in (≈ 13″) wide by 84 in (≈ 84″) high. The finished material total changes to 64.667 feet, and its combined 8ft purchase estimate is 10 sticks. More columns make narrower panels while adding vertical sides; they do not simply divide the current cut list into smaller pieces.
Keeping the current counts and making each side margin one inch larger changes the outer width to 18 in (≈ 18″), a reduction of 0.667 in (≈ 11/16″) per frame. Its left outer edge shifts to 5 inches. The height stays at 84 in (≈ 84″) and the total becomes 51 feet. This option gives the wall edges more breathing room without moving the top and bottom boundaries.
Before using this cut list
These are calculated examples, not measured installations. Confirm the full 72 × 96 inch area, the actual trim face width, and the locations of cover plates or casing. Mark one frame, dry-fit its corners, and confirm its outer size before cutting the rest. Fractions are rounded display values; use the independent marks in the table so small rounding differences do not collect at the far margin. The stock plan assumes clean 96-inch sticks and the entered kerf. Allow separately for defective ends or additional practice pieces.
Other layouts for this wall width
- 6ft × 7ft wall · 2 columns, 1 rows26 × 64 in outer boxes
- 6ft × 8ft wall · 2 columns, 2 rows25.5 × 35 in outer boxes
- 6ft × 9ft wall · 3 columns, 2 rows18 × 45 in outer boxes
- 6ft × 9ft wall · 4 columns, 1 rows12 × 92 in outer boxes
- 6ft × 7ft wall · 4 columns, 2 rows11.25 × 31 in outer boxes
Read the full method and common mistakes or compare all 36 worked layouts.