I have always loved the impact that mouldings could bring to a room design.
When I owned my own custom cabinet and millwork shop in the early 2000’s I really got to explore this passion.
Many of my Kitchen Designs began to incorporated unique trim pieces in the form of one of a kind crown mouldings to top my custom cabinets.
Soon I began to see that I could transfer this type of design detail into other rooms of the home.
Then as the Director of Design and Development for the largest North American moulding and millwork manufacturer, I had the opportunity to educate other design Professionals on incorporating mouldings and interior door collections into their projects.
In this blog article I would like to share with you how the addition of mouldings, trim and interior doors can take a basic room and make it spectacular.
Start Small with Big Trim!
BEFORE AFTER
When first starting out, I suggest designers start small by experimenting with specifying core trim.
- Baseboard
- Casing
- Crown Moulding
Specifying more substantial trim in a room is a great way to go.
Bigger baseboards, casings and crown mouldings can transform a room making it feel richer.
Add in Layering Trim
BEFORE AFTER
Layering trim is a second level of trim that can add texture to a room.
After baseboard, casing and crown moulding are specified, adding layering trim would be a good next step.
Wainscot from chair rail and panel moulding is a simple way to get a classic look in a room.
Another way to elevate the design that incorporates core and layering trim is to switch out plain doors to something more in keeping with the décor theme in the room.
Accent Architectural Details
BEFORE AFTER
Trim can be the perfect element to use to accent architectural details in a room.
If your client’s home has a tray ceiling you can accent the ceiling with the addition of traditional crown moulding.
Don’t be afraid to make a strong statement with your trim by specifying a wood product you could have stained.
In the example above the substantial stained wood trim makes a statement in the room.
Frame the View
BEFORE AFTER
Double height ceilings often have double height windows to match.
Framing them with style appropriate trim can really make them a feature in a room.
The knotty wood trim on these windows not only enhance this architectural feature, they also frame a spectacular woodland view.
Without the trim, this room feels flat.
Set the Stage
BEFORE AFTER
Trim is the perfect element to set the stage for a décor style.
In this example, a traditional living room has a good start with multiple mullioned windows, wood floors and a fireplace.
The additional of crown moulding, casings and wainscot trim set the stage for a classical furniture arrangement.
Adding in an unique fireplace surround from trim pieces, and placing a pair of decorative carved corbels at the arched opening provide the finishing details.
Elevate Your Kitchen Designs
BEFORE AFTER
Of course as a Kitchen Designer, I always look for opportunities to add appropriate trim and interior doors to my designs.
The right choices can take a Kitchen from nice to WOW.
I feel Kitchen Designers are perfectly situated to become experts at designing and providing mouldings and millwork to their clients.
Because of this, I am developing a FREE workshop called Integrating Mouldings and Millwork into Your Kitchen Design Business to show Kitchen Designers how to add this category to their business.
If you would like to be updated on when it will be live, subscribe to my list and I will keep you posted.
In the mean time I would love to hear about your experience of including mouldings and millwork into your designs.
Leave me a comment below.

Jan Rutgers has been designing kitchens and products for over 25 years and is a recipient of Kitchen & Bath Design News’ Top Innovators in 2020 for the Kitchen & Bath Industry. She has designed more than 1000 kitchens learning valuable skills with each one! Her experience in Kitchen Design, Millwork Manufacturing and Product Development has led her to create VESTABUL SCHOOL OF DESIGN where she educates and mentors people passionate about the Kitchen Design Industry.
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