ADD CHARACTER WITH INTERIOR MOULDING

In rooms that already have a lot going on, keeping the interior trim neat and simple is a great way to let things breathe. In the kitchen seen here, a variety of textures and a statement light fixture give the room all the visual interest it needs. Understated window casings, door molding, and baseboards keep the room from looking too busy.

Moulding and trim can be an excellent tool for visually dividing a room. Use chair rail or picture moulding to break up large, flat spaces. This large foyer features classic white wainscoting that helps guide the eye through the room. The historical flair paired with hardwood floors and sleek cable rail is a striking contrast that gives the room a fresh and modern look.

Even small rooms can look grand when decked out in the right trim. Architrave moulding on both the windows and door draws the eye upward in this modest entryway. The casing around the open doorway on the right extends all the way to the ceiling, adding even more visual height and a sense of grandeur. Crown molding is a great way to achieve this effect, but in this particular case the lack of ceiling moulding keeps the space from looking overcrowded.

Don’t forget that all rooms have a fifth wall – the ceiling! In addition to adding height and gravitas to a room, ceiling moulding can be a decorative feature in its own right. The exposed beams of the coffered ceiling in this modern farmhouse kitchen echo the tones found in the hardwood floor, creating a frame for the whole room and adding some visual weight to the bright, airy space.

Don’t get us wrong – we’re big fans of classic white trim. It coordinates with everything and it’s all but guaranteed to never go out of style. However, there are times when architecture and décor call for something a little more – well, dramatic. The spacious living room seen here features huge windows and a high ceiling. By opting for a stately shade of gray, the trim frames and anchors the room’s architectural features in a way that simple white can’t. Repeating the gray throughout the room in baseboard molding, mantel, and crown molding keeps the striking window trim in check. Wood molding and trim can be used to similar effect.

Sometimes, less is more. Slim, understated picture moulding adds visual interest to wide open walls without drawing too much attention to itself. The formal sitting area seen here features a dark, sophisticated color palette. The raised profile of the decorative trim, painted to match the wall, allows light and shadow to enhance a surface that might otherwise appear dour and overbearing.