Updating a traditional home with modern elements can breathe new life into outdated spaces. Conversely, adding some traditional touches to a contemporary home can give it more character. Using trimwork is an easy and cost-effective way to blend these two styles seamlessly. With strategic trim additions and subtractions, you can modernize a traditional home or add old-world flair to a modern one.
How Trim Impacts a Room’s Character
Trimworkincludes baseboards, crown molding, door and window casings, chair rails, and other decorative millwork. In many traditional homes, these elements feature detailed profiles and ornate carvings. They add visual interest while honoring classical architectural styles.
In modern spaces, trim takes on a simpler aesthetic. Straight, clean lines and little to no ornamentation are key. Minimalist moldings and casings keep the look pared down. Large expanses of walls are left bare to focus on sleek furnishings and décor.
The type and amount of trim used can completely change the feel of a room. For example:
Traditional Trim
- Dark wood tones with hand-carved details
- Elaborate crown molding
- Thick casings surround doors and windows
- Decorative panels or wainscoting on walls
- Baseboards over 4-6 inches tall
Modern Trim
- Bright white or neutral colors
- Simple, straight profiles
- Thin window and door casings
- Clean lines or simple patterns on wall paneling
- Short, streamlined baseboard styles
Using these general principles, trim can be adapted to blend old and new interior aesthetics.
Modernizing a Traditional Home with Trim
Making a traditional home feel fresh and contemporary is largely about simplifying decorative details. Here are some tips for using trim to modernize different spaces:
Foyers & Entryways
The front entry sets the tone for how traditional or modern a home feels. To modernize this space:
- Paint dated wood trim a crisp, bright white.
- Replace ornate crown molding with a minimalist profile.
- Opt for straight casings around the front door rather than heavily detailed ones.
- Remove any fussy decorative elements like medallions, corbels or niche moldings.
- Add modern hardware and light fixtures.
Painting the trim white helps recede it visually so the walls feel cleaner. Pared-down molding styles keep the look understated. Modern accents like pendant lights or metallic door hardware help finish the updated look.
Living Rooms
For traditional living rooms, trim is often the star of the show. To make it feel more modern:
- Repaint dark carved trim in a light neutral color.
- Replace oversized baseboards with slim, straight styles.
- Swap ornate crown molding for a thin, minimal profile.
- Remove chair rail moldings, picture rails or paneled wainscoting.
- Add contemporary furnishings and fixtures.
Lighter colors and smaller profiles reduce visual clutter. Eliminating some decorative elements like wainscoting also opens up the space. Mixing in modern seating, lighting and accessories completes the new look.
Dining Rooms
Formal dining rooms tend to have heavy traditional trim that competes with furnishings. Modernizing involves:
- Painting trim white or a light neutral to blend into walls.
- Removing crown molding and ornate chair rails.
- Replacing thick baseboards with thinner modern versions.
- Adding contemporary light fixtures and furniture.
With trim that fades into the background, sleek modern dining sets can take center stage. Bold modern chandeliers and pendants also draw attention upwards.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are very personal spaces, so take a gradual approach to modernizing them. Try:
- Painting existing trim white or a lighter neutral tone.
- Removing ruffled or heavily detailed valances over windows if present.
- Keeping baseboards but selecting a simpler profile when replacing.
- Choosing modern bed frames and other furniture.
These small changes make a big difference. Furnishings can shift the room to a more modern aesthetic at your pace. As dated pieces are replaced over time, the look will feel cohesive.
Adding Traditional Charm to Modern Spaces
For contemporary homes, incorporating some classic trim details adds warmth and character. Use these strategies:
Entryways
Make a good first impression by giving modern foyers a dose of tradition.
- Add substantial molding with a traditional style.
- Include raised panel wainscoting or decorative wallpaper.
- Use casings with subtle profiles around doors and windows instead of plain.
- Incorporate traditional light fixtures and furnishings.
The contrast of ornate trim and clean walls is striking and welcoming. Classic décor mixes nicely with modern pieces.
Living Areas
Incorporate tradition creatively in sleek living rooms.
- Install picture or chair rail moldings.
- Add raised paneling or shiplap just around focal areas like fireplaces.
- Include built-in bookcases with traditional trim for storage.
- Use antique furnishings and accessories for pops of character.
Strategically placed traditional millwork makes a statement without overpowering the modern aesthetic. Vintage or antique décor adds personality.
Dining Spaces
Warm up contemporary dining areas in creative ways.
- Install a unique chandelier that nods to tradition.
- Frame the dining space with classic wainscoting.
- Carve out a bar area with paneling and traditional cabinets.
- Mix traditional dining chairs with a modern table base.
Utilize trim to define specific zones, tailored to how the space is used. Blend modern and antique furnishings for an eclectic look.
Bedrooms & Baths
Make intimate retreats cozy by adding custom trim.
- Frame beds or bath vanities with ornate molding.
- Add beadboard as an accent wall in bedrooms or bathrooms.
- Include traditional furnishings like canopy beds or clawfoot tubs.
- Install lighting fixtures with old-world charm.
Small doses of charm go a long way in these private spaces. Focus details around singular furnishings or features.
Tips for Modifying Trim
When tackling a trim makeover, here are some key things to keep in mind:
- Evaluate existing trim – Assess current trim styles and determine what you want to modify. Make notes room-by-room.
- Plan changes in stages – Make revisions over time, instead of all at once. Space out big projects.
- Prioritize key rooms – Focus first on high-traffic spaces like foyers. Bedrooms can come later.
- Check for lead paint – If home was built pre-1978, test trim for lead-based paint before sanding or altering.
- Consider potential costs – Factor in expenses like new materials, hiring pros, repair work, etc. Budget accordingly.
- Inspect underlayers – When removing moldings, examine walls and ceilings for any repairs needed before replacing trim.
- Use proper tools – Invest in trim removal tools and wood chisels to avoid damaging surfaces.
- Prime before painting – For best results, prime existing trim before painting, especially when covering darker tones.
- Save noteworthy pieces – Salvage any antique trim that’s in good shape to reuse elsewhere or sell.
- Work with pros as needed – Hire specialists for tricky steps like removing ornate plaster moldings without damaging them.
Take precautions to protect existing surfaces and yourself. Thorough planning makes for a smooth project from start to finish.
Modernizing Without Removing Original Trim
In historic homes or those with high-quality woodwork, you may want to preserve existing trim intact. There are a few ways to modernize rooms without replacing original moldings:
- Paint color – Lighter neutrals feel more contemporary than darker wood tones. White trim also blends into walls.
- New furnishings – Mix in modern furniture, fixtures and decor while keeping vintage pieces.
- Less clutter – Reduce visual overwhelm by minimizing accessories and knickknacks on trim.
- Clean lines – Arrange furniture symmetrically and keep ceilings free of dangling elements.
- Modern window treatments – Swap out elaborate swag valances for simple curtains or shades.
- Updated lighting – Remove ornate chandeliers. Add contemporary fixtures.
- Refreshed floors – Replace outdated carpeting with hardwoods, tile or polished concrete.
Purposefully editing décor, furniture arrangements and accent pieces prevents busy trim from feeling too fussy. Take an otherwise-hands-off approach for a fresh modern feel.
Hiring Professional Help
Some trim projects require advanced carpentry skills. Professional trim carpenters have specialized training and the right tools to handle complex design and installation needs. Reasons to hire a pro include:
- Installing new custom molding and millwork
- Correctly removing existing trimwork without damage
- Proficiently executing intricate or ornate details
- Accurately cutting miter joints on casings and frames
- Properly prepping and installing trim prior to painting
- Efficiently developing shop drawings for custom jobs
- Possessing equipment needed for specialized fabrication
- Knowing how to properly work with historic moldings
Trim professionals have the expertise to implement ornate designs flawlessly. Their experience also ensures modifications to existing trim are done properly. For specialty needs, hiring a skilled trim carpenter saves time, prevents mistakes, and results in high-quality finished work.
Cost Considerations
The cost to modify trim varies widely based on factors like:
- Scope of project – Small updates vs whole home remodel
- Custom work – New woodwork vs modifying existing
- Specialty skills needed – Intricate details or work with plaster moldings
- Materials – Type of wood species or grade of MDF molding
- Location – Accessibility impacts labor time for install
As a ballpark, trim installation costs approximately:**
- $4 – $8 per linear foot for simpler baseboard installation
- $10 – $16 per linear foot for basic crown molding
- $15 – $30 per foot for custom wood moldings
- $100 – $200 per window or door for casing installation
- $2,000 – $4,000 range for wainscoting an average room
Labor also ranges $40 – $70 per hour for carpentry services. For full remodeling projects, total trim costs can easily exceed $10,000. Well-designed details add value, but require a bigger investment. Creating a budget beforehand helps guide appropriate selections.
Updating Just Trim Can Refresh Many Rooms
You don’t necessarily have to gut or fully remodel spaces to give them a fresh feel. Strategic trim alterations provide big impact for reasonable effort and cost.
Trim unifies a room’s style since it’s usually consistent throughout a space. Just modifying existing trim transforms many homes from choppy and dated to light and contemporary. Adding trim to plain, modern rooms provides cohesion and character.
Before undertaking a full renovation, consider testing trim updates in a small area. Painting trim or reframing windows provides an easy sample. If you like the results, expand the changes room-by-room. In this way, you can inexpensively refresh your home’s style over time.
Trimwork ultimately offers flexibility. It can adapt traditional homes to feel more modern and give contemporary homes a welcom ing dose of charm. With creativity and purposeful selection, trim enables you to have the best of both worlds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Using Trim to Blend Styles
Can I modernize my traditional home without removing any original trim?
Yes, you have some good options to freshen up old-fashioned trimwork without removing it:
- Paint wood trim white or a light neutral color to reduce visual heaviness.
- Style rooms with lighter, contemporary furnishings and décor.
- Reduce clutter on trimmed-out walls and surfaces.
- Install modern light fixtures.
- Replace ornate curtains with simple window treatments.
- Refinish or replace floors with modern materials.
What are some easy ways to add traditional charm to a modern home?
Some simple ways to work tradition into contemporary spaces include:
- Add crown molding or picture rail trim to living spaces
- Use raised panel wainscoting or shiplap accents around fireplaces
- Install beadboard as a backsplash or accent wall in kitchens
- Frame beds or dressers with ornate molding details
- Hang chandeliers or sconces with old-world style
- Incorporate antique furnishings and décor
Should I hire a professional trim carpenter for my project?
Consider hiring a trim carpentry specialist for:
- Intricate or ornate custom millwork design and installation
- Projects requiring extensive experience working with specialty materials like plaster molding
- Removal of existing trimwork without damage to walls or ceilings
- Precise cutting and installation of mitered joints for casings and frames
- Large scale wainscoting, paneling, or custom built-ins
- Refinishing or repair work needed on fragile historic moldings
What’s the most cost-effective way to update my trim?
The most budget-friendly approaches include:
- Painting existing trim
- Focusing on visible high-traffic areas first
- Removing overly ornate trim but keeping existing baseboards and door/window casings
- Purchasing ready-made stock molding styles vs. custom
- Making small changes over time instead of all at once
Should I modify trim before painting walls or after?
It’s best to install or alter trimwork prior to painting walls and ceilings. This allows you to:
- Repair any wall damage that occurs during trim removal or installation prior to final paint.
- Caulk and putty all seams neatly between trim and walls before painting.
- Paint all surfaces seamlessly in a coordinated way.
- Avoid having to touch up paint on walls if trim is banged up during installation.
Conclusion
Whether you favor traditional or contemporary style, trim allows you to adapt your home’s aesthetic. Strategic trim modifications make small spaces seem more expansive and add decorative detail to plain ones. With creative vision and purposeful execution, trim transforms rooms without major renovation.
Pay mind to how light, proportions and finishes impact the look and feel of spaces. Allow trim to recede or stand out by design. Balance period details with modern edits for a personalized blend of old and new.
Approach changes gradually and thoughtfully. Simple painted trim can take on a completely different lightness and brightness. Display treasured moldings and millwork while still achieving a cleaner updated vibe. Your home can honor its unique history while still moving into the future.
Trimwork ultimately provides a relatively easy and affordable way to refresh your interior style. With it, you can switch up the mood and flow of rooms to create spaces better suited to how your family lives today. Use trim to highlight the features and architectural details that matter most. Let it reflect the style you savor, wherever you are on the spectrum of classic to contemporary.
