DIY Trim and Molding
Considering that there are so many different types of molding, not to mention brands, styles, sizes, colors, etc, it is no wonder that so many people feel overwhelmed when choosing interior molding. Although it might not seem like a big deal, the truth is that you want the right molding to compliment the home but also add value. When the wrong choice is made, a room can look crowded or unbalanced but with the right molding, the entire look and feel of a room can be transformed from something outdated and drab to spectacular.
To eliminate some of the confusion for choosing interior molding, we wanted to offer some suggestions for DIY trim and molding . Keep in mind that the final choice would of course be based in part on personal preference but by following a few “rules”, you would end up with the look wanted and again, have a home that increases in value if you were ever to sell.
• For starters, as a part of choosing interior molding you want to consider three primary things to include architectural features of the room, size of the room, which includes ceiling height, and decorum. The key is to purchase molding that would bring balance to the room, thereby making it more aesthetically pleasing and welcoming.
• In addition, if interested in crown molding and baseboard, or chair railing and baseboard, it would be important to choose molding that coordinates. That does not mean the two different types of molding have to match, but that the design and/or style complement one another. A perfect example would be with chair rail and baseboard in that you do not want the thickness to be wider than window and/or door casings. Another example would be that any vertical pieces associated with a paneled wall should not be thicker then horizontal molding.
• As mentioned, you want to consider scale when choosing interior molding. You want any type of molding interested in to be proportional to the room. In other words, if you wanted to install crown molding in a formal dining room but the space is small, keep the width of the trim to no more than three inches. However, if this room were spacious, you could easily choose a much wider style of crown molding, even up to six inches wide.
• Design and style are also key elements when choosing interior mold. Today, the market is flooded with amazing options. Some molding is plain while others are quite elaborate. Think about the architectural features and decorum of the room when making your choice. As an example, if you have a master bedroom that has archways, a bay window, and textured walls, the molding should compliment, not compete. Therefore, choosing something more on the subtle side would be best. On the other hand, if the room were standard, meaning two short windows, white walls, etc, you could choose more intricately detailed molding that would add character and warmth.
• Finally, when choosing interior molding consider material. Although wood is by far the most common, trim is also made from vinyl and even plastic. If you plan to stay in the home for years, it would be worthwhile to choose a type of molding that could be painted. That way, as you change the decorum of the room, you could simply change the color of the paint on the molding, as well.
