Although it may seem like a minor detail when it comes to curating the perfect home, trim is an easy and affordable way to instantly elevate your space. Typically used to fill in gaps between two areas (like the wall and the ceiling), trim can also be highly decorative when used creatively. The material comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, and is often used to frame wall art, highlight door frames, and create an accent wall. To tackle these projects, it helps to first understand the difference between popular types of trim and how to use each to create unmatched beauty in your home.
Crown Molding
One of the most popular types of trim, crown molding is any horizontal trim installed at the top of your interior wall near the ceiling, says Mimi Meacham, founder and principal designer, Marian Louise Designs. The molding is an effective way to draw the eye upward, which makes it appear as if the room is bigger than it is. “This is particularly beneficial in rooms with lower ceilings, as it can create the illusion of height and grandeur,” says Kerrie Kelly, creative director of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab.
Chair Rail Trim
Chair rail trim is a functional design element that is commonly used around an entire room at chair height. “Some people use chair rail as a protective element between the furniture and wall,” says Meacham. “It can elevate the space by creating a break in your walls visually.” Beyond how practical it is, chair rail trim is also decorative. It can be used to break up two different paint color shades or wallpaper and paint for added textural interest.
Casing
Casing is the trim installed around doors, windows, or openings in your interior spaces. “While uncased openings can be simple and unfussy, casing adds detail, layering, and depth to your space, and marks your entrances and transitions with some decoration,” says Mindy O’Connor, the founder and principal of Melinda Kelson O’Connor Architecture & Interiors. “With beautiful trim framing at an opening, you can create more warmth and interest when entering a room, define different spaces, and develop a single vocabulary running through the whole house.”
Picture Rail Trim
Also known as picture molding or gallery molding, picture rail trim is decorative trim that is often installed horizontally near or at ceiling level. “One of the key ways picture rail trim elevates a home is by adding versatility and flexibility to your wall décor,” says Kelly. “Instead of relying solely on nails or screws to hang artwork, picture rail trim allows you to easily rearrange and rehang your pieces without damaging your walls.”
Wainscotting
Create an accent wall with wainscoting, a wall treatment that typically consists of wooden paneling or molding installed on the lower portion of a wall. It can be capped with a chair rail or set at a taller height to take up a bigger part of the wall. “Wainscoting is lovely when you can see it with a more distanced view in a larger space, and can create a feeling of prominence or formality for the room,” says O’Connor. “It can range stylistically from beadboard to raised panel—or any combination of wood panels, boards, and rails.”
