Wall trim is essential in defining a room’s character and style. Much more than just a decorative element, it adds elegance and style to your home. Trim for walls can even unite different styles of rooms in your home into a single, cohesive space.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know – from ideas for wall trim, and types of materials to how to attach trim to wall.
Types of Wall Trim: An Overview
There is a whole range of decorative wall trim, each serving different purposes. From baseboards protecting your walls to crown moldings adding grand touches to your ceiling, the options go on and on. Knowing these different types of wall trim styles also helps you choose the perfect option for your space.
Baseboards
Baseboards are trim pieces installed at the bottom of walls where they meet the floor. They prevent the wall from damage, keep out drafts, and are responsible for giving a room a finished look. They also cover an unsightly gap between the wall and the floor.
Between a short and narrow style, baseboards can range to the six-inch and taller versions of many old homes.
For a high-quality finish, baseboards are made from wood-based, for example, oak or maple. Apart from looking good, these give a natural and robust option that one can easily decorate to harmonize with the design and coloring of the room. Other popular choices include MDF, especially for those who need a flat, paintable surface. It is less expensive than solid wood but has a quality look too.
Baseboards should be installed properly. You have to miter the corners right and line the boards up. Installation also means attaching the baseboards securely to the walls to prevent gaps or movement over time.
Crown Molding
Crown molding is installed where a wall meets a ceiling. It is used most often in formal areas, such as living and dining rooms. It can also be used to make any room give the appearance of having a higher ceiling and being larger.
Crown moldings are usually plaster, wood, or high-quality polyurethane. Plaster is a very traditional material that uses lots of intricate designs, but it is also heavy and a difficult to install. Wood can tend to bring a warm, natural look and can be shaped into a lot of patterns. High-quality polyurethane makes a lightweight, durable alternative that can replicate the look of plaster or wood but is easier to install.
The complicated part of installing crown moldings mainly arises because of the angles. Installing involves applying intake of accurate measurements and the use of proper equipment for the job. They must be cut at the right angle for them to fit nicely against both the wall and ceiling. This is a major reason that installations are mostly done by professionals, especially in intricate designs and with costly materials.
Chair Rails
Chair rails are horizontal trim pieces that run along the middle of the wall. Designed originally to protect the walls from the backs of chairs, contemporary chair rails are designed majorly to be decorative. They help in breaking up large wall spaces with chair rails being applied in dining rooms and hallways along the walls to achieve a more formal appearance.
The high-end varieties of chair rails are made of solid wood, to be precise walnut, or cherry, because of the rich color and durability. Options in gypsum and metal are there for those who want to give their interior a unique touch. Metal chair rails can give your space a contemporary or industrial appeal, so they again are versatile for modern homes.
When installing chair rails, consider them at the same height around the room. Most of the time, a typical height of 32 to 36 inches above the floor is common. That can vary based on the room’s proportions and the effect one wants to produce. Use good quality adhesives and nails fasten securely.
Picture Rails
Picture rails are narrow moldings set along interior ceilings. They allow homeowners to hang pictures without causing any damage to the walls. For people who change their artwork regularly, picture rails are quite suitable because they easily allow repositioning without any nails or hooks in the walls.
The picture rails are usually made from oak and mahogany, which are costly woods. The look that they give is classic, so they are mainly associated with traditional settings. Picture rails are made of metal, too, and they look very modern.
Picture rails need to be installed on a level and attached firmly to hold the weight of the framed artwork. On average, in most rooms, they work best set about 12 inches from the ceiling, though this number may change depending on the size of the art and the height of the ceiling.
Wainscoting
Wainscoting is the panels installed onto the lower part of a wall. One can commonly find wainscoting in entryways, dining rooms, and hallways. Wainscoting can make the room look interesting because a visual room division into parts makes the room have some structure and balance.
Solid wood, generally oak, and great-quality MDF boards most often comprise wainscoting for a high-end look. Most can be painted or stained to match room décors. The solid wood wainscoting creates a luxurious, traditional appearance. MDF provides a smooth surface that can be painted to fit any wall trimming ideas.
Wainscoting requires great exactness in measuring during installation since panels need to be distributed evenly. For a flawless finish, it would be advisable to hire a professional, particularly for the installation of custom woodwork.
Beadboard
Beadboard paneling is one style of paneling with vertical grooves. Commonly found in cottage-style homes, it brings charm into any space. Beadboard can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas where a casual, relaxed aesthetic is desired. Beadboard can also be used as a backsplash or as trim accent wall ideas for added interest and texture.
Premium beadboards are solid woods, usually of pine or maple. Those kinds of woods have natural, rustic looks that are just fitting for cottage-style interiors. High-quality MDF is available for a paintable surface.
Installing wall trim involves fitting the panels together seamlessly. Use a level to ensure straight lines for an accomplished look.
Panel Molding
Panel molding refers to a form of decoration used in making raised panels in walls. Formal spaces, like living rooms, dining rooms, and offices are often have such decorative trim on walls. They are also used to accent architectural highlights or around artwork and mirrors.
Most panel moldings are manufactured of luxurious woods, like cherry or walnut. Such woods possess a dark coloration and a fine grain, making them ideal for achieving that superior look so many strive for. The more elaborate designs are achieved with high-quality polyurethane or MDF and have more benefits by being lightweight and easy to install.
When installing the panel molding, be sure to measure exactly and cut precisely, with the moldings meeting the wall flush. Any gap or warp will completely spoil the overall look. It would be advisable to seek an installation by professional installers to yield the best results.
Choosing the Right Decorative Wall Trim for Your Space
Selecting the right trim involves considering the room’s style, existing elements, and your budget. Here’s a comparative table to help you make the best choice:
Type of Trim | Best For | Materials | Style | Budget |
Baseboards | High-traffic areas | Oak, Maple, MDF | Classic, Modern | Mid-High |
Crown Molding | Living Rooms, Dining Rooms | Plaster, Wood, Polyurethane | Classic, Decorative | High |
Chair Rails | Dining Rooms, Hallways | Walnut, Cherry, Gypsum | Classic | Mid-High |
Picture Rails | Living Rooms, Bedrooms | Oak, Mahogany, Metal | Classic, Contemporary | Mid-High |
Wainscoting | Entryways, Dining Rooms | Oak, MDF | Classic, Decorative | High |
Beadboard | Kitchens, Bathrooms | Pine, Maple, MDF | Cottage, Classic | Mid-High |
Panel Molding | Living Rooms, Offices | Cherry, Walnut, Polyurethane | Decorative, Classic | High |
Maintenance Tips for Trims for Walls
You need to take care of your wall trim if you want it to maintain the beautiful and durable finish you love. Here are some tips:
- Regular Cleaning: Dust the trims with a soft cloth at regular intervals to avoid accumulating dirt. The more complex the design, the quicker the dust builds up, so in essence, regular cleaning helps keep the trims looking new.
- Repainting and staining: Freshen the paint and stain every couple of years to keep the trim looking brand new. High-quality paints and finishes will protect the material. It’s not only for an enhanced look but also for the saving of wear and tear.
- Check for Damage: Look out for the appearance of wear, such as small cracks and chip dings, and repair them promptly to avoid further damage. Issues addressed while still small can prevent more extensive repairs down the line
Conclusion
Wall trim is not a kind of mere addition but a key element in making your space change into a trendy and stylish interior. Whether you are taken by goodness in a classic design that never gets old in appeal, or you opt for modern with slick lines, the proper choice of your trim would account for so much in general aesthetics for your home. It would also be prudent to note that wall trims, and investment in high-quality material and professional installation, can therefore add great value and elegance to your space for a lifetime. The right decorative trim for walls indicates your taste and detail that makes your home beautiful.
FAQ
Should you paint the trim or the walls first?
Paint the trim first, before the walls. This will allow for cleaner lines so that the walls may be unnecessary just to be touched up afterward.
How do you remove wall trim without damage?
Cut through the caulk and then carefully pry off the trim using a flat tool. With every cut-off movement, remove the nails carefully.
Can I paint trim with wall paint?
It is best to use paint with a finish that is designed specifically for trims such as semi-gloss or gloss for durability and to give a more clean finish.
What are the most popular wall trim styles in the USA?
Crown molding and baseboard are two of the trendiest types of wall trims in the United States and are frequently noticed in old and modern homes.
