Adding architectural detail to the interior of your home isn't a tidy topic that can be fully addressed in a single article-entire books are written on it! But to get you inspired, I'll give you an overview of some of the basic ways you can enhance the look of your home with trimwork.
Let's start at the floor and work our way up to the ceiling.
Baseboard molding.
Perhaps the most common architectural element in homes, baseboard molding is used to cover gaps between the floor and wall and protect walls from wear.
It comes in a variety of styles and profiles-which you choose will depend on the style of your room and any other trim, such as window and door casings.
Chair rails.
A chair rail is, as the name implies, typically installed on the wall at or near the height of most chair backs (about 30 to 36 inches from the floor).
It was originally used to protect walls from chair backs and other furniture (particularly in dining rooms or living rooms).
But this horizontal band of trim also helps draw your eye around the room, unifying distinct room details and making your spaces seem larger than they are.
Chair rails may be used alone or positioned atop wainscoting.
Wainscoting.
This decorative finish is often topped by a chair rail (if it's installed on the lower part of the wall) or a plate rail (if it covers two-thirds of the wall's height).
It may be used in almost any room in the house and is available in a number of styles-including tongue and groove, board and batten, raised panel, or beaded board-to fit the style of your home.
Wainscoting kits make applying this decorative feature easy-you simply glue sheets of paneling to the wall with panel adhesive.
Wall frames.
Also called picture frames, wall frames are narrow strips of molding applied to the wall that create the appearance of wall paneling (but they're much less expensive and easier to install than actual panels).
Wall frames may be horizontal or vertical and often are placed low on the wall like wainscoting.
You can also cover the walls completely to emulate the look of full wall paneling.
When you estimate how many individual wall frames will fit on your wall and how far apart they should be spaced, be sure to carefully measure each wall in the room and factor in interruptions such a doorways and windows.
Plate rails.
Although it simply looks like a shelf with a groove cut into its surface for holding plates in place, a plate rail is often considered a trim detail.
Plate rails are usually installed one half to one quarter of the way down the wall from the ceiling (often atop wainscoting) so breakable items-whether they're plates, framed pictures, or other decorative elements-are out of reach.
Picture rails.
A picture rail is usually installed one half to one quarter of the way down the wall from the ceiling too.
Picture rails-which have a rounded top edge that projects from the wall where you can attach hooks or pegs-allow you to hang framed pictures without damaging the wall.
Cornices.
Adding architectural detail that draws the eye up toward the ceiling creates visual interest and makes a room seem larger than it really is.
Cornices (also called crown molding) are applied to the area where the wall meets the ceiling.
They may be simple (perfect for a more contemporary space) or incredibly ornate, with dentil molding or built-up pieces of trim.
Ceiling treatments.
The ceiling often gets overlooked when it comes to adding architectural detail-but it shouldn't.
Once you draw the eye upward with crown molding, why not keep it there with an interesting treatment overhead? Applying a grid of trim or a ceiling medallion adds depth and dimension to the ceiling.
Whew.
If you're new to the world of interior trim, you might be asking what else there could possibly be to discuss.
But the truth is I've barely scratched the surface here.
What about trim around windows and doors (often called casings)? And there are columns, niches and nooks, and ornate fireplace surrounds to talk about too.
Be sure to stay posted to read more on these topics.