Interior trim is often overlooked, yet it is an essential interior design element. When matched with the home style, interior trim can unify disparate design elements and elevate a plain-looking interior. The interior remodeling contractors at DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Hollywood share a guide on matching interior trim with your house style.
What Is Interior Trim?
Trim is the molding that frames doors and windows, as well as transitions between walls, floors and ceilings. In addition to giving these transitions a clean look, it also covers the gap between a door or window frame and wall opening. A corresponding exterior trim, which can be of a different style or color, is installed outside.
Types of Interior Trim
A typical interior renovation project may utilize several of the following types of interior trim:
Crown Molding — This type of interior trim covers transitions between walls and ceilings. Crown molding can have virtually any profile the house design calls for. Wide and ornate pieces are typically installed on traditional interiors, while narrow and simple pieces are used in contemporary home designs.
Door & Window Casing — This type of trim covers the transition between the door or window frame and the wall opening. Many people use the term “frame” for both frames and casing, but they’re two different components. The door or window frame is the structural component that holds the sashes. Casing, on the other hand, is the trim piece that covers the shims and insulation that usually fill the gap between frame and wall opening.
Baseboard — Baseboards cover the transition between the walls and flooring. Quarter-round boards are frequently used as baseboards. Baseboards several inches tall usually look great on architectural styles with tall ceilings.
Chair Rail — Chair rails are a type of horizontal trim that spans the middle third of a wall, about the height of chair backs. Chair rails are intended to protect plaster walls from damage caused by chairs pushed against the wall, but nowadays they are used more as a decorative trim.
Wainscoting — The term “wainscoting” is derived from the Dutch waegenschotten, which means “to line the walls with boards.” It’s a type of paneling that covers the lower half of walls, and is generally painted or stained to contrast with the wall color.
Panel Molding — Panel molding is used to create decorative “frames” on walls, wainscoting or other types of decorative paneling.
Matching Interior Trim With Home Style
There are several ways to approach trim selection and matching it with your home style. Your first consideration would be whether you own an historic home, since you probably will want to maintain the original design. You have some latitude with a traditional-style home.
Certain architectural styles have to have certain elements in them in order to give them an authentic look. For instance, a Craftsman home would look odd if you use anything other than simple molding profiles with light colors. Colonial-style homes usually call for multi-piece trim and wide baseboards, which complement other traditional design elements.
Let’s Start a Conversation!
DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Hollywood offers a wide range of professional interior home remodeling services. To get started with a no-obligation consultation, give us a call at (305) 925-5999 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve homeowners in Hollywood, FL, as well as surrounding communities including Aventura and Hallandale Beach.
