9 Wall Trim Ideas for Every Room in Your Home

Today’s homeowners are clearly disenchanted with bare walls. For proof, just look at the accent wall trend of a few years ago or the resurgence of wallpaper we’re seeing right now.

Color isn’t the only way to jazz up the walls of your home. In fact, one of the moment’s most stylish trends — decorative wall trim — doesn’t rely on color at all. Moulding adds shape and texture to your interior design entirely on its own.

Check out the interior trim ideas below to learn about this exciting trend and how to unlock its full potential within your own home.

1. Discover Accent Wall Trim Ideas to Transform Your Home Interior

The accent wall is one of the key elements in popular contemporary home design. But designing an accent wall doesn’t always mean painting one wall a different color.

Bold navy blue accent wall with chevron wood trim adds depth to this modern boys' room, complementing the rustic wooden loft bed. — Source: @at_the_barkers via Instagram

Neutral-toned accent wall with vertical and geometric trim details frames a rustic wood panel centerpiece, adding texture and depth to the space. — Source: @at_the_barkers via Instagram

Crisp white board and batten accent wall adds classic elegance and texture, enhancing the depth and character of this modern living space. — Source: @at_the_barkers via Instagram

Blush pink accent wall with geometric wood trim adds depth and style to this nursery, complementing the white crib and soft decor. — Source: @at_the_barkers via Instagram

Applying wall trim to one wall in a room is a great way to give your home’s interior a professional, trend-forward look. There’s no need to introduce a new color to the space. Instead, the accent wall is created with a three-dimensional pattern.

Accent wall molding can be extremely simple or incredibly complex. Neutral colors are best for this project, especially if you want your decorative wall trim to be the star of the show.

2. Upgrade Your Bathroom with Elegant Wall Molding and Wainscoting

Plain bathroom walls are boring. While decorative tiles are an option, you can also transform your bathroom design with subtle wall molding.

Crisp white vertical wall trim adds subtle texture and height to this small bathroom, creating a clean and airy feel with modern elegance. — Source: @iflippingloveyou via Instagram

Classic white wainscoting with elegant trim detailing adds a refined touch to this bathroom, complementing the neutral tones and greenery. — Source: @inside_no_13 via Instagram

Luxurious black paneled walls with elegant trim and gold accents create a dramatic, sophisticated powder room with vintage-inspired details. — Source: @katerinatsilogiannis via Instagram

Intricate white wall trim adds depth and texture to this modern powder room, complemented by a geometric mirror and sleek pedestal sink. — Source: @londonpiercedesign via Instagram

Unique geometric wall trim adds depth and texture to this elegant powder room, complementing the framed floral artwork for a sophisticated look. — Source: @maribickmoredesign via Instagram

Elegant wainscoting with decorative trim pairs beautifully with soft-patterned wallpaper, adding timeless charm to this classic powder room. — Source: @onkarasiklane via Instagram

Soft gray wainscoting adds a classic touch to this elegant bathroom, complementing the patterned floor tiles and subway tile shower wall. — Source: @oursharedcorner via Instagram

Soft gray wainscoting adds classic charm to this cozy bathroom, complementing warm beige walls, patterned floor tiles, and natural wood accents. — Source: @s.l.f_home via Instagram

Soft beige paneled walls bring warmth and elegance to this bathroom, complemented by gold accents, a navy vanity, and vintage artwork. — Source: @spacefordreaming via Instagram

Intricate white wall trim adds depth and texture to this modern farmhouse bathroom, complementing rustic wood cabinetry and bold black flooring. — Source: @stories.of.a.diyer via Instagram

Wainscoting is the perfect complement to patterned wallpaper. Lining the bottom half of your bathroom walls with panel molding can help tone down your chosen paint color or wallpaper pattern. This is especially important in a small space like a bathroom.

You can also go big with floor-to-ceiling wall trim that adds dimension to your otherwise simple bathroom design. Go with a light, neutral-toned paint color that accents your wall trim pattern.

3. Revitalize Your Space with Chic Board and Batten Wall Trim

Board and batten is a classic wall finishing technique that features alternating wide and narrow wood panels.

Crisp white board and batten wainscoting contrasts with deep green walls, adding classic charm and texture to this cozy bathroom space. — Source: @budgetdiymom via Instagram

Soft gray board and batten accent wall adds texture and elegance to this modern dining space, complementing plush seating and stylish decor. — Source: @cantillionhome via Instagram

Crisp white board and batten accent wall adds texture and depth, creating a stylish focal point in this bright and modern living space. — Source: @haus.of.hana via Instagram

Bold black board and batten wainscoting adds contrast and depth to this cozy dining nook, complementing the rustic wood furniture and warm decor. — Source: @kaliburdette via Instagram

Warm beige board and batten wainscoting adds cozy charm to this farmhouse dining room, complementing rustic wood accents and elegant decor. — Source: @kayla.motes via Instagram

Crisp white board and batten wainscoting adds depth and elegance to this bright dining space, complementing neutral decor and soft furnishings. — Source: @kimberlyear.designs via Instagram

Moody dark green paneled walls add depth and elegance to this cozy bedroom, complemented by vintage artwork and rich, warm-toned bedding. — Source: @littlejoymarket via Instagram

Bold navy blue grid paneling adds modern sophistication to this office, complementing the rustic wood desk and sleek black leather chair. — Source: @megs_creative_crib via Instagram

Soft gray grid paneling adds subtle texture and depth to this modern space, complementing the navy blue accent chairs and warm wood flooring. — Source: @precision_accents via Instagram

Like many types of molding, board and batten is a basic pattern that can be altered or combined with other wall trim ideas to suit your specific needs. This style of molding can be used in both exterior and interior projects.

Board and batten wall trim can be applied along the entire length of your walls or as a type of wainscoting. While the latter application allows for using a different color for the upper wall, board and batten is traditionally painted all one color.

4. Beautify Your Fireplace Hearth with Stylish Wall Trim

How do you finish a fireplace without the use of stone or brick? If your home decor leans toward the contemporary, then decorative molding might be the ideal solution.

Bold navy blue fireplace surround with intricate molding adds a regal touch, complemented by marble accents and elegant brass wall sconces. — Source: @amybrowndesign via Instagram

Luxurious white paneled fireplace with gold accents and a statement chandelier creates an elegant focal point in this sophisticated living space. — Source: @bessdecor via Instagram

Elegant white fireplace surround with classic molding details is flanked by built-in glass shelving and accent lighting, creating a refined focal point. — Source: @jolinfinecarpentry via Instagram

Classic gray paneled fireplace surround with crown molding and built-in sconces adds warmth and elegance, complementing the rustic brick hearth. — Source: @kaelynschmidtdesign via Instagram

Elegant white board and batten fireplace surround extends to the ceiling, creating a grand focal point complemented by abstract art and modern décor. — Source: @mytributehome via Instagram

Crisp white grid paneling extends above the fireplace, adding architectural interest and a grand, custom-built look to this elegant feature wall. — Source: @precastdesigns via Instagram

Wall trim can be used to frame the fireplace opening itself. This finishing style is especially popular with modern fireplaces. But you can also use wall trim around a wood-burning hearth, as well.

For a more dramatic look, you can install crown molding at the joint between your fireplace chimney and the room’s ceiling. Or use wainscoting-inspired paneling to decorate your entire fireplace surround.

Read more: 60 Fireplace Wall Ideas

5. Create a Luxurious Look with Floor-to-Ceiling Wall Molding

Tall ceilings are almost always considered a good thing in residential architecture. But leaving all of that vertical wall space completely blank can be a waste.

Grand floor-to-ceiling paneled walls add timeless elegance to this luxurious entryway, complemented by a sweeping staircase and statement chandelier. — Source: @cardelloarchitects via Instagram

Elegant floor-to-ceiling wall paneling enhances this grand entryway, complemented by a statement chandelier, herringbone flooring, and arched details. — Source: @longcofinecarpentry via Instagram

Grand white paneled walls add timeless elegance to this staircase, complemented by festive greenery, a wrought-iron chandelier, and warm wood tones. — Source: @oldcampbell_lakehouse via Instagram

Floor-to-ceiling molding adds texture and dimension to the entire wall without interfering with the bright, airy appearance of lofted ceilings.

However, you don’t need to use the same trim option throughout. Feel free to combine different styles like chair rail trim and board and batten for a custom design.

You can also use floor-to-ceiling trim to create the illusion of a greater ceiling height. Thin, vertical molding is the best choice for this design strategy.

6. Modernize Your Home with Unique Angular Wall Trim

We don’t often associate molding with modern home design. Yet there’s really no easier way to add architectural lines to an existing room.

Unique diamond-patterned wall trim adds depth and modern elegance to this space, creating a striking geometric focal point with a bold design. — Source: @jsr__design via Instagram

Sleek vertical wall trim seamlessly extends onto the ceiling, creating a bold, modern statement complemented by warm pendant lighting and dark accents. — Source: @lahulan via Instagram

Bold geometric wall trim in contrasting black and white creates a striking modern statement, adding depth and dimension to this contemporary space. — Source: @jsr__design via Instagram

Deep navy walls with bold geometric trim create a dramatic, modern statement, enhanced by a sleek gold chandelier and natural light. — Source: @lahulan via Instagram

Modern-inspired wall trim revolves around angular lines and geometric shapes. Some of the most stylish modern molding ideas are made up entirely of straight, uniform lines.

For a sleek look, your trim should match the wall color behind it. Metallic trim contrasts beautifully against dark, neutral shades. Or you can adopt a Scandinavian-style aesthetic by mounting natural wood trim against a white wall.

7. Add Elegance to Walls with Picture Frame Molding

Picture frame molding is exactly what it sounds like: Wall trim applied in a square or rectangular shape reminiscent of a frame.

Luxurious white paneled walls with picture frame molding complement the sleek white grand piano, marble flooring, and bold modern artwork. — Source: @lahulan via Instagram

Elegant picture frame molding enhances this classic dining space, complemented by soft neutral tones, a statement chandelier, and coffered ceilings. — Source: @collins_builders via Instagram

Moody dark green walls with picture frame molding create a sophisticated dining space, complemented by gold accents, elegant sconces, and classic decor. — Source: @deiseduqueinteriordesigner via Instagram

Sleek gray picture frame molding adds subtle elegance and depth to this modern home office, complementing the black desk and monochrome decor. — Source: @homebyjule via Instagram

Crisp white picture frame molding with textured blue insets adds a refined touch to this elegant dining space, complemented by sleek modern furnishings. — Source: @homebyjule via Instagram

Classic white picture frame molding adds subtle elegance to this cozy living room, complementing warm neutral tones and soft, inviting decor. — Source: @ourhumblehaus via Instagram

Dark navy picture frame molding adds depth and sophistication to this home office, complemented by gold accents, built-in shelving, and a modern workspace. — Source: @sayidoitmyself via Instagram

Elegant white paneled walls with picture frame molding add classic sophistication, complemented by gold sconces, plush seating, and luxurious decor. — Source: @ahmedhusseindesigns via Instagram

Picture frame molding comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. You can apply this style of trim as wainscoting underneath a chair rail or extend the shape to reach from floor to ceiling.

This type of molding is almost always painted the same color as the backing wall — white trim may be applied over neutral paint colors. Be sure to hang wall-mounted elements like sconce lighting or artwork in the center of these “frames” for a polished look.

8. Enhance Your Stairway with Decorative Wall Molding

It’s hard to build a functional staircase without swaths of empty wall space. Decorative moulding is an excellent solution to this design woe.

Soft white picture frame molding enhances this elegant staircase, complemented by natural wood accents, a patterned runner, and brass stair rods for a timeless look. — Source: @buildingutah via Instagram

Curved white board and batten wall trim adds architectural interest and depth to this grand staircase, complementing the dark wood steps and metal railing. — Source: @jolinfinecarpentry via Instagram

Elegant white picture frame molding follows the staircase’s incline, adding a classic touch that enhances the warm wood steps and soft-toned walls. — Source: @kartonpiyerdeposu via Instagram

Crisp white board and batten paneling enhances this grand staircase, complemented by warm wood accents and sleek black metal railings for a timeless look. — Source: @kartonpiyerdeposu via Instagram

Elegant white picture frame molding enhances this curved staircase, adding depth and classic charm, complemented by warm wood tones and soft lighting. — **Source: @jolinfinecarpentry via Instagram**

Large picture frame moulding or shiplap panels are just a few great options. Don’t get carried away with intricate carving or highly detailed trim patterns. Remember — your stairway wall trim will still need dusting!

Stairway trim isn’t always about covering as much of the wall as possible. If the various floors of your home feature wainscoting or another type of molding, installing coordinating trim along your stairs may be necessary for a finished look.

9. Boost Your Home’s Appeal with Functional Wainscoting Wall Design

Wainscoting once served as a protective covering for interior walls. Today, this molding style is almost exclusively used for its appearance.

Classic white wainscoting adds depth and elegance to this staircase, complementing the soft carpeted steps and warm neutral-toned walls. — Source: @cz_woodworking via Instagram

Modern built-in shelving with geometric design adds a unique focal point, seamlessly blending with white wainscoting and warm wood flooring. — Source: @humblehandsww via Instagram

Crisp white wainscoting contrasts beautifully with deep navy walls, accented by gold fixtures and patterned tile flooring for a chic, modern look. — Source: @larabelleathome via Instagram

Soft gray wainscoting adds a classic touch to this staircase, beautifully paired with bold patterned wallpaper and a cozy carpeted stair runner. — Source: @nowherefiner via Instagram

Crisp white wainscoting contrasts beautifully with deep navy walls, creating a sophisticated nook complemented by warm wood tones and bold accent decor. — Source: @sheremadness via Instagram

Wainscoting refers to any paneling that covers the bottom half of a wall. It can be made of decorative wood panels, shiplap, and even tile (commonly seen in bathrooms).

Aside from adding dimension and variety to your space, wainscoting also offers the chance to explore bold design choices without overwhelming the entire room. Neutral-colored wainscoting can be paired with maximalist wallpaper or vibrant paint colors for a more subdued result.