What Trim Should I Use?
Custom interior trim in a new house is one of those things that might seem small but can make the biggest difference if done correctly – or incorrectly. When people are investing in a new home or even revamping the one they’re already living in, they most likely are only paying attention to the details that are highly visible such as cabinets, windows, etc. instead of seeing how the trim is affecting the depth and richness of every room. Because selecting trim is one of the most important decisions you will have to make for your home, below are some tips on how to make the decision process a bit easier.
What is Trim?
Trim, also known as molding, is built by finish carpenters to add detail to windows, doors, baseboards, and more. It’s a design element that makes a statement and shows whether you paid attention to your home style and how it compares to the size, style, and material used for the trimmings. If you take the time to invest in a professional, they could turn a plain interior into something contemporary, colonial, or even art deco just by changing up your trim.
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Interior Trim Types
Investing in trim is exciting, but it’s also crucial that you take the time to study what types are out there so you can get an idea of how you’d want your house to look. Once you get the costs and your expectations in order, then it’s time to talk to an expert about making your vision come to life.
1. Base Molding
Base molding is the standard type of trim that is found in practically every home that lines the bottom of the wall where the wall and floor meet. In older houses, base trim was made of three parts but has since changed to two in modern homes, giving them a cleaner look.
Because base trim is fairly simple on its own, its stylization all depends on how you’d want it to look. Checking out resources such as Pinterest, Instagram, or even our own website can give you ideas about what would fit within your home.
When considering the size of base trim, it’s important to remember that thicker isn’t always better.
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Generally, any kind of thicker trim is considered a high-end option and is usually found in luxury homes that will offer a high return. If you’re investing in your home for the long term and want to keep it as pristine as possible to eventually sell it at its best price, using thick base trim would work. On the flip side, if you know that your house will need further improvements or you don’t plan on upgrading too much, sticking to the basics will be fine.
2. Crown Molding
Crown molding can be used to give nicer transitions between walls and ceilings, which can make rooms much easier to look at even if they’re not fully decorated or completely renovated. This type of trim originated in older homes to mend the any cracks between the ceiling and walls. Since then, contemporary design experts have found a way to make it beautiful and effective.
Just like other trims, crown molding gets more expensive as it gets more elaborate. Custom, multi-layered crown trim is very pricy and there are other features that can be added to it, such as lighting. Before investing in a professional, you will want to study reference photos to get an idea of what would look best in your home without breaking your budget.
We don’t completely recommend installing crown molding on your own unless you have the right tools and skillset. This trim type is already difficult because it’s set high and angle cuts will have to be made. By using a professional, you are guaranteed the work is correct the first time around.
3. Chair Rail Trim
Chair rail trim runs horizontally across the middle of walls and serves as more than just decoration: it protects the walls from getting damaged by any furniture placed against them. While not required, chair trim is a classy, traditional touch that adds proportion to a room by splitting up the walls into two parts, which gives you more options on how to decorate each side.
The cost of chair rail trim and installation vary depending on what style of trim you get, and whether you are DIY-ing or using a professional. If you wanted to take on a new project and save some money, installing chair rail is a great choice as there are tons of reference photos on the internet and videos detailing step-by-step instructions.
4. Window Trim
Window trim, or casing, is not required but has become a standard in the majority of modern homes being built currently. Usually, a 3 or 4-piece design will be used and will be consistent to the other trim designs in the home to maintain style consistency.
Window sills are a style of trim now that is usually created for the bathroom, kitchen sink, or larger windows that can be decorated. There are many varying types that can fit anything from a more vintage profile too one very minimalist and basic.
Installing window trim can be like figuring out a jigsaw puzzle because you’re going to have to cut pieces to fill in gaps. Sizing all depends on what your home’s windows are like and what trim you want to use so check out all the reference photos you can first before deciding on just one style!
5. Door Trim
Because door trim has no bottom, it’s installed with three sides, framing a wall and allowing it to stand out in a room even if it’s colored neutrally. People can get creative with door trim as it can be intricate and used to distinguish different home elements. Generally, we advise on using varying sizes but we try to keep the door trim surrounding windows as close as possible to the other sizes and styles of trim within a home so you can keep the profile you’re aiming for.
Remember: whatever your style is and no matter what your budget is like, custom design carpentry is always a good idea as it’s an investment you’re making on your home for years to come.
If you have any questions, please contact us at 407-376-3579 We can’t wait to talk to you!
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