What about simply adding some molding to the top of the baseboards to make it more attractive? That is a fairly simple job and can be accomplished with hand tools.

I have the same situation and I am planning to paint the moulding the wall color. I have 1" moulding at the ceiling line and a 7" board moulding at the bottom of paneling (that I am painting). I am attempting to blend it all -- one color -- top to bottom.

Interested in what others have to say but I agree with you -- accenting a narrow moulding would look silly -- exactly my thoughts.

I have seen a trick where you add a small half round or other flat on one side molding above or out from regular molding then paint to the outside edge it gives the appearance of beefy molding with out the high cost

Here is a link that might be useful: DIY molding upgrade

Trim painted the same color as the wall is a venerable look. It was a common thing to do back before oversized white trim came back in style with a vengeance. My first two homes in the early 80s had small baseboards, not worth highlighting with white paint. I painted them the same color as the wall, but in a different sheen. It was a clean, fresh look, perfect for transitional to contemporary decor.

I did this in our former master bedroom. It was on the 2nd floor of a bungalow with 7.5' ceilings. To enlarge the room the walls, ceiling and trim were painted the same color and sheen. It was the perfect solution.

Yes, definitely paint it the wall color or maybe only slightly lighter/darker.

I like Awm's idea of using a different sheen, too.

Most people go on autopilot regarding trim. Much better to do what you are, and consider its effect.

I agree that painting it the wall color can be a valid design choice with effects that go way beyond "hiding" it. I also sometimes feel that rooms with today's large (frequently oversized, as Ahm rightly points out) and elaborate trims would look better, more elegant, with it played down.

How timely.

I have builder clam shell. I'm removing the trim to prep for new flooring and am contemplating adding something above instead of buying all new. It's a room with a vaulted ceiling, though.

I'm torn between my instinct to reuse/recycle and going with what I "think" I want.

I'd love to see how your decision turns out. My other rooms are standard 8' and I really like the idea of use the same color on the trim as the floors, but a different sheen.

In most places we have precious little wall space so if I start adding on to the existing trim, I think I'll end up causing myself a lot of trouble. Especially in places where the door trim is practically in the corner.

The trim that is the original color (that now just happens to match our new wall color) looks fine, but does need to be freshened up in some places. I found the can downstairs and I am about to pop over to Home Depot to have a new gallon colored (apparently an old Home Depot Behr color called Arrowroot that I found in the basement...I just hope the sheen hasn't changed too much since the trim was painted originally...the paint is too far gone to even mix up and try it)

I am encouraged because this means that I can limp along the existing beige honeycomb shades for a while longer. They are not my first choice, but they are in good condition and they are blocking my view of the neighbor's house.

Thank you again, everyone, for your opinions.