If you're not in the market for a new home, or the cost of a larger renovation on your current home is out of the question, here are some ideas that will give your rooms added appeal and pizazz without breaking the bank.
Architectural Molding
Adding architectural molding to boring wall-meets-ceiling construction brings instant appeal and heightened interest to a room. Made of polystyrene (lightweight plastic polymer) it's lighter than hardwood, making it easy to work with. It comes in patterns from simple to ornate, but its unique in that it comes in one piece but looks like many pieces built upon one another to achieve a layered look.
Also different from wood molding, architectural molding comes ready to finish, so there's no need for primer paint.
Architectural molding comes in various types for various jobs:
- Crown molding is used to trim out walls at the ceiling level. Whether you're trying to hide an imperfection in the finished drywall or just want a decorative touch, Crown molding is a perfect choice. Be bold and choose a complementing paint color one shade up or down from the paint color on your walls to accent the molding, rather than painting them a static white. A creamy gold with just a hint of shimmer looks great on walls painted in muted yellows or beige.
- Chair rail molding originated as a means to keep chairs from dinging plaster walls. Placed about hip height to 48 inches from the floor, the rails can still serve that purpose yet many newly-constructed homes featuring this type of trim work do so only as a decorating style. The look works well in homes with a "farmhouse" or Americana feel, and best in a room without too many corners and cutoffs. Wider, decorative rails are a great addition to separate paint colors between top and bottom walls or to highlight the addition of framed artwork.
- Base molding (or baseboard molding) can be understated or quite prominent. Its purpose is simple: to create a pleasing transition from floor to wall. Consider the way any door casings in the room are finished when selecting this type of molding to keep the look not necessarily the same but consistent and complimentary.
- Shoe molding is another type of trim that can be added to the bottom of base moldings, along the floor, to protect them from scuffs, heavy foot traffic, and the use of household items like vacuum cleaners. This trim comes in two primary sizes: oval ("shoe") or quarter round.
For a complementing finishing touch to a room, consider adding decorative moulding under the sills of any windows. This trim piece is called an apron and brings a refined, updated look to any room.
For related ways to boost your home's decor, see New Trends in Bathroom Sinks
Chris Conard-Shultz - Contributing editor with Homes & Gardens of South Central PA. Regular contributor to "Go" magazine, monthly inflight pub of AirTran ...
