40 Wall Molding Ideas That'll Dress Up Any Room

From picture frame molding to paneling, millwork can completely transform a space.

When you think of wall molding (or moulding), your first thought is probably a formal living room or traditional dining room. As a small detail that makes a big difference, wall molding deserves a revisit.

It is a type of decorative millwork that is used to enhance a room's design. Common types include chair rails, picture rails, wainscoting, beadboard, board-and-batten, and picture frame molding. But it can also extend to more intricate applications of baseboards, window casings, and crown molding that goes beyond their primary purposes of covering gaps at connection points.

No matter what type of molding, it can add dimension and showcase an attention to detail in any space. Use it to create contrast with a bright pop of color, or opt for a monochromatic palette and subtly infuse a space with sophistication. No matter what room in your home, there are endless possibilities with something sure to suit your space. From traditional applications to more modern and creative designs, here are 40 wall molding ideas that'll instantly dress up any room in your home.

Set the Stage

This entryway sets a welcoming tone thanks to traditional feeling millwork (wainscoting and picture frame molding) that adds dimension and interest to the crisp white walls painted Sherwin-Williams Dover White, SW-6385. Playing into the classic feel, a snug seating arrangement is anchored with antique furniture.

Level Up the Laundry Room

A coat of Benjamin Moore Garden Cucumber (644) on the wainscoting, crown molding, trim, and cabinetry dials up the drama in this punchy laundry-meets-mudroom.

Dive Into the Details

Millwork might not be the first thing you notice when you walk in a room, but it's the detailing that lingers well beyond the rooms' furnishings. Here, the chair rail breaks up the striped wallpaper while the double layer of intricate crown molding catches the eye.

Extend Subtle Detail Upwards

A broad baseboard and chair rail paired together is a classic combination that adds character and sophistication to any room. Here, artist Eleanor Scott Davis used the waist-height trim to direct the gallery wall.

Use Multiple Styles

Picture frame, chair rail, and detailed trim molding come together to create the ultimate cozy and elegant study in Erin and Ben Napier's home.

Pack a Punch

Farrow & Ball Stone Blue No. 86 brings cheer to the simple beadboard wainscoting in this snug bathroom. To balance the statement-making color choice, the remaining section of wall is covered in Dorothy Shain's Star Zinnias pattern in grass cloth.

Design Without Restraint

In this cheeky dining room deep green (Sherwin–Williams Ripe Olive, SW-6209) vertical paneling helps break up the bold gingham wallpaper. A simple wood table and chairs ensures a balanced contrast.

Put a Twist on Traditional

Designer Andrew Howard transformed this dining room into a jewel box thanks to a coat of glossy mauve paint and teal accents. Detailed wainscoting sets the tone while traditional trim, a modern chandelier, and statement-making art completes the look.

Cozy Up with Cottage Style

Dial up the cottage style with board-and-batten-style molding. This simple method adds depth and detail throughout a room without feeling too ornate for small and casual spaces. It's also ideal when using a singular paint color.

Bring on the Beadboard

Extra-tall beadboard paneling gives this hardworking laundry room an extra dose of character. A coat of Farrow & Ball’s Manor House Gray No. 265 in semi-gloss on the molding adds warmth without making the space feel too dark.

Lighten Up Wood Paneling

Use painted wall molding to lighten up wood paneled spaces. Here, designer Sarah Bartholomew wrapped the room in a wood-grain wallpaper by Nobilis, giving the illusion of exposed wood, and softened the space with clean white wainscoting.

Take a Less Traditional Approach

In the 2022 Idea House, designer Charlotte Lucas used trellis-like latticework as molding to add interest to the walls and ceiling of the dining room. Painting the wall molding with Sherwin-Williams Barely Pear (SW-9666) in high gloss provides a subtle contrast.

Reach New Heights

In this bathroom, designer Stephanie Sabbe knew she wanted a picture rail to hang the mirror and artwork from, so she chose extra tall wainscoting painted Sherwin-Williams Blustery Sky (SW-9140) paired with Sister Parish wallpaper above to add interest.

Get Creative With Space

To save the budget while creating the illusion of ultra-thick crown molding, opt for a slim picture rail, then paint the molding and generous space between the ceiling in a different color than the walls.

Make it Functional

For the 2023 idea house twin bedroom that doubles as a guest room, designer Laura Hodges used wall molding and fabric (Thibaut’s Vario in Cashmere) with cork behind to double as plush panels and a built-in place to display artwork and mementos.

Strike a Balance

Traditional wainscoting and crown molding paired with a refreshing green-and-white color palette give this dining room both formality and a playful feel for timeless look.

Help High Ceilings Feel Cozy

Add a picture rail six to ten inches below the ceiling (adjust accordingly based on your ceiling height) to help large spaces feel more cozy without loosing the breathing room of high ceilings. Here, artist Dorothy Shain Henderson splashed the nursery walls in Farrow & Ball’s Pink Ground No. 202.

Lean into Natural Textures

A stained wood, plank-style wainscoting invites warmth into the room. Architect Christy Blumenfeld paired it with a Phillip Jeffries textured wallpaper.

Use it to Break Up Pattern

Want to go all out with wallpaper without it being overpowering? Here, designer Ashley Gilbreath created a tent affect using Cole & Son's Cambridge Stripe wallpaper in pale blue on the ceiling and the walls with thick molding at the joints. The same concept applies to any wall covering or paint color.

Give Small Spaces Room to Breathe

Want wallpaper but hesitant to go all-out? Bring balance to busy patterns by pairing them with a solid colored, tall wainscoting. Here, the deep blue hue plays off the lighter tones of the wall covering.

Contrast with Chair Rails

Wrap the room with a simple chair rail in a contrasting color for an easy upgrade. Here, symmetry takes center stage in this inviting dining space while the white molding breaks up the dark brown walls.

Embrace the Ethereal

Beadboard wainscoting with a double layer trim atop gives this primary bathroom an elevated look. Designer Tori Alexander used Sherwin-Williams Little Boy Blu (SW-9054) on the wainscoting and trim to balance the watercolor wallpaper for a calming, spa-like feel.

Add Style to Functional Spaces

Open shelving and picture rail molding with scalloped detailing (painted in Sherwin-Williams Corallite, SW-9698) display collections and artwork, proving you don't have to sacrifice form or function in utilitarian spaces.

Create a Seamless Transition

Play off the tones of your wallpaper and bring it into the trim details. In the 2023 idea house, designer Laura Hodges used Sherwin-Williams Meander (SW-9522) on the crown molding, baseboards, and window trim to tie the breakfast nook together.

Layer in Horizontal Boards

This breezy bedroom gets the farmhouse treatment with horizontal board-and-batten paneling and a relaxing coat of Benjamin Moore Fanfare (874). Bonus: The small ledge of each plank gives just enough room for displaying tiny treasures.

Add in Design

In this cozy library, interior designer Sarah Bartholomew highlighted the beautiful crown molding by adding a hand-painted stencil design border underneath the millwork.

A Little Goes a Long Way

This cozy, yet light and inviting sitting room gets its warmth from lightly washed wood paneled walls. A thin strip of molding at each joint helps the transition to the vaulted ceiling and carpeted floor.

Use Color in Unexpected Ways

In the 2017 idea house, designer Lindsey Coral Harper opted for yellow ribbon to lend a cheerful touch to the gray-striped wallpaper and creamy white wainscoting. The same concept can be done with paint to bring in a hint of color.

Stick to One Tone

In this eclectic living room, tone-on-tone molding painted the same shade of Sherwin-Williams Nocturne (SW-9520) with different finishes creates a stately but simple backdrop. The semi-gloss finish on the trim, paneling, and walls creates a subtle contrast to the more matte walls.

Keep it in the Color Family

For this calming bedroom, designer Stephanie Sabbe stuck to a sophisticated yet playful blue color scheme using Sherwin-Williams Niebla Azul (SW-9137) on the walls and Blustery Sky (SW-9140) for the crown molding, broad baseboard, and decorative window trim.

Celebrate the Details

Casing molding on windows and doors can add ample character. Intricate detailing, like the circular design seen here on the corner of the doorframe molding, is often indicative of older homes, but that doesn't mean similar details can't be added in.

Take it all the Way Up

Use interesting molding styles and an energetic paint color to turn any dark room into an inviting space. Here, an adaption of board-and-batten paneling (extra horizontal boards were added into the vertical battens) with a coat of Sherwin-Williams Celestial (SW-6808) does just that.

Make it Moody

Equally thick molding for the baseboard and ceiling trim help a room feel extra cozy. Leaning into this 1907 home's original style, the homeowners opted to refinish its existing trim, staining it True Black by Minwax, then coating the ceiling in Benjamin Moore’s Black Beauty (2128-10) to match.

Add in Unexpected Places

The impressive millwork of this living room gives it an old-house charm. For an extra elevated look add molding in less expected places, like the ceiling beams and wall joints.

Meld Classic and Contemporary

This pretty-in-pink bathroom shows how to mix classic details like molding with contemporary trends like the chunky, floating marble sink, soft pink walls coated in Benjamin Moore Pleasant Pink (2094-60), and funky fixtures.

Give it Layers

There are endless types of crown molding from simple to intricate, but adding an extra layer will always give a room an extra boost of elegance, like this living room painted in a subtle pink, Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster No. 231.

Frame Your Artwork

Get creative with your wall space. While it's a small section of the wall, picture frame molding above the built-in cabinetry helps highlights and anchor each piece of artwork.

Don't Forget About the Fireplace

There's no lack of detail here thanks to various layers of wall molding, but it's the fireplace that really stands out. Rather than a fancy marble or stone hearth and surround, play off the rooms millwork and add detail with pretty trim.

Double Up on the Trim

Think beyond the necessary casing surrounding a window. Here, extra molding beneath each creates a picture frame-like detailing and plays into the shiplap walls.

Make Pass-Through Spaces Elegant

Hallways, stairwells, and small spaces can often be left behind when it comes to the smaller details, but adding unique touches can go a long way in giving pass-though spaces a pause. Here, intricate crown molding adds awe.

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