Grayson West
If you ask home decor experts about styling, they’ll tell you that the most beautiful spaces come from deliberate choices and careful attention to detail. Trims are one of the easiest ways to add subtle detail to your home and get compliments. Here are 20 easy-to-work-with trim types and materials to improve your next remodel project.
Crown Molding
Perfect for adding a touch of elegance where walls meet the ceiling, this feature can range from simple, clean lines to more elaborate designs like swirls or floral patterns. Once in place, it gives the room a refined, polished look that adds to the overall aesthetic.
Baseboard Trim
As the name suggests, baseboard trim runs along the edges where walls meet the floor to act as a natural transition. You can use them to hide gaps, protect the wall from scuff, or finish room renovations. It comes in various styles, from simple to intricate, and looks best painted white.
Quarter-Round Trim
The name “quarter-round” comes from its resemblance to a quarter-circle. This small, rounded trim is commonly used to hide gaps where the floor meets the wall or between baseboards and flooring, giving your space a clean, seamless appearance.
Architrave Molding
Architave trims perform best when you want to add a touch of elegance to your home. It’s more common in older or more traditional houses but also in modern homes. Since it’s mostly decorative, it extends several inches past the top of your doors or windows and ends with a thick cap or crown.
Rosette Trim
Unlike architrave trims that go above doors and windows, the rosette is for the corners. It’s a square piece of wood with round or carved designs like flowers or geometric patterns in the center. It’s popular in vintage or classic-style homes, but you can always reverse-engineer it for your space.
Chair Rail Trim
A chair rail can serve both decorative and functional purposes. It’s an ideal trim for dividing walls into sections or shielding them from furniture scratches. Typically installed about 3 feet from the floor, it can be styled with contrasting paint or wallpaper for added charm.
Batten Trim
Board-and-batten is a trim type with narrow vertical strips placed over seams in walls or ceilings. It’s used to cover the gaps or joints between pieces of paneling. Although batten is a favorite for farmhouse or rustic designs because it adds depth and texture to plain walls, it can also be styled in modern spaces.
Coved Molding
Unlike architrave, which is decorative and extravagant, coved molding adds a subtle touch of style without being too decorative. You can use it where walls meet ceilings. This trim is made from wood, plaster, or polyurethane. When installing, cut the molding at the right angles for the corners and secure it with nails or adhesive.
Primed Wood Trim
Primed wood trim is standard wood with a base coat of primer, making it easier and faster to paint. Available in various shapes and sizes, it’s suitable for baseboards, crown molding, or architrave molding. Lightly sanding the surface helps the paint stick better.
Wood Composite
For a budget-friendly and durable option, wood composite is an excellent choice. Resembling real wood, it offers resistance to warping, cracking, and termites. Its lightweight nature makes it perfect for DIY use, and it can be painted or stained to complement your decor.
Plate Rail Trim
Like chair rails, plate rails are functional and beautiful. You can install this horizontal molding on walls 4–6 feet from the floor. It creates a ledge or shelf for displaying small mirrors, artwork, decorative plates, or other wall decor. You can place them in smaller pieces or an unbroken border around the room.
Picture Frame Trim
Although nails seem like an easy fix for hanging art and wall decor, picture frame trims are the best option. Besides the absence of a dozen holes, they add dimension and elegance to plain walls, especially in living rooms or formal spaces. You can arrange creative patterns to suit your taste.
Corbel Trim
Corbel trim, originally structural, is now purely decorative. Shaped like an L, the longer side mounts to a wall, while the shorter side supports horizontal surfaces such as ceilings, countertops, or cabinets. Depending on your style preference, it can feature clean curves or intricate details.
Fluted Trim
The vertical grooves or lines along fluted trims create a textured look for framing doorways, windows, or columns. After painting, it gives off an elegant and traditional aesthetic seen in classical or colonial-style homes. You can make them from wood, MDF, or polyurethane, then install them by measuring, cutting, and nailing them into place.
Panel Trim
While picture frame trims are installed directly on the wall to hang art and wall decor, panel molding goes on top of the paneling. It helps create raised or recessed panels to give your space a more structured and sophisticated look. They’re arranged in shapes, such as squares or rectangles, so choose which works best for you.
Wainscoting
This decorative wall paneling covers the lower part of a wall, often up to chair rail height. It’s made up of vertical boards or panels, framed with trim, and is excellent for adding texture and charm to staircases or entryways. Wainscoting can be simple or detailed, depending on the style.
Casing Trim
Casings cover the gaps between the wall and door or window frames. Choose from simple, flat designs or detailed profiles with curves or grooves. No matter the style, they provide a clean, finished look. Plus, wood, MDF, or PVC casings are durable and built to last.
Polyvinyl Chloride Trim
PVC trims are substantial, weather-resistant materials perfect for indoor and outdoor use. It’s one of the best choices for bathrooms and kitchens. Unlike wood, it won’t rot or warp and is easier to clean. While it’s often left white, you can paint with an emulsion that leaves a polished finish.
Polyurethane Trim
Here’s another alternative to wood meant for areas with high humidity, like bathrooms or kitchens. It’s lightweight and durable since it’s made from a high-density material that resists moisture, cracks, and warping. All you need during installation is adhesive or nails.
Decorative Cornices
Cornices are the decorative version of crown moldings used in wall and ceiling joints. You can fit them in formal spaces, living rooms, or dining rooms. Cornices add elegance and drama to rooms with detailed patterns, like flowers, scrolls, or geometric designs. It’s made from materials like plaster, wood, or polyurethane.