What "To Do" . . . or "Not to Do" with mouldings and trim

Congratulations if you've just completed a painting project. Good job done. So if the new color is fine, but you've got a little more "umph" in mind, consider this next option.

Trim and moulding, even in small quatities, can instantly dress up a room, and give it a finished look. And it is something that beginners can afford and install, as well as the seasoned DIYers. True, you must be accurate in your measuring and cutting, but newbies can use straight cuts, butted where as experience allows the more complicated mitered cuts and joints.
And your pieces can be anything from inexpensive, primed MDF or pine that you'll paint, all the way up to solid, finished hardwoods that you stain.

Right now, let's not worry so much about the process, and just have fun looking at some wonderful examples from the HOUZZ files.

Cheryl @ Artzzle.com

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I just keep finding more wonderful photos. Let's end with this dining room, and another clever way to pretty up those vaulted ceilings. This look will cost you a pretty penny though, but if you've got it . . . well, what a way to go!

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Note the adjacent wall's ceiling treatment. A bit thicker top piece, with a more narrow bottom trim, with painted wall left exposed between. A very nice effect as is. But for budget minded DIYers, you can use this same technique but paint trim and inner strip of wall all the same color. It makes your moldings look bigger, and more grand, without having to purchase a third section of trim.

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Nice, big spaces here. No ceiling molding though, because of the window locations. That may be why the rest of the trim is taller and beefy. Looks fine, don't you think?

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I'm thinking this being a much smaller space, the hidden drapes treatment wouldn't work here, too disruptive. Another example of an expose dark, rod. Here, with the long drape, it really accentuates the tall ceiling.

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Another good example of how much dressier drapes look behind a trim piece, rather than below the molding, on the wall.

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With a draped wall, I like this molding treatment best. No rods, hooks or equipment to busy up the look. This keeps the room much cleaner and dressier too.

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What do you think of this area? I find all the styles and colors of trim to be an uncomfortable look for me.

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Bet I'll surprise you with this one. Now, there is a lot going on in this teeny tiny space. But, I still think the bit of trim above the cabinets helps give things a finished look.

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Great example of something that is . . . NOT my style. However, it does give a good idea to you homeowners who are very adventurous with ideas and colors.

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Like this room. Look at the difference made here, with just a touch of color with the white. Not so stark.

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Beautiful hallway . . . but wouldn't even a neutral color have set off the molding? Much TOO WHITE for me.

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Very much enjoy this interesting moulding treatment on the angled walls. Nice look without being overdone.

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Another idea for those vaulted ceilings. Here only the side walls are trimmed.

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Vaulted ceilings are often tough to configure for mouldings. I feel that this works because the wall paint color is consistent, below, above and onto the ceiling as well. Second thing here, is how drapery rod is hung mid-way on the moulding. Nice here, and again, the dark rod helps balance other darks in the decor.

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If pesky "popcorn ceilings" aren't an issue for you, this faux trayed treatment would be a great way to dress things up. And it should work with builder-basic rooms and ceiling heights. How do you like the combo of light and dark trims?

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An example of a similar technique. To use this with a standard height ceiling, you could try using less and much narrower pieces.

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This looks to be a bit higher than average ceiling, possibly 9' or so. Beefy trim on windows & doorways AND at the ceiling, doesn't always work in a "builder basic" home where shorter, 8' ceilings are fairly standard. There just isn't enough height to do both.

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Customized moulding in new home

This photo, one of the first I came to on HOUZZ in this category, is included for a couple of reasons. It is a great example of what can be done with trim. Also, see how the curtain rod is not above the molding, but attached below the crown piece, right onto the window. Leaving a bit of top trim exposed is a nice look with a bright drape. Plus, here the dark rod helps the wall tie in with the dark light fixture. Good idea.