Moulding Impossible
Stacking Mouldings Makes It Possible
Creating unique oversized mouldings can be a design challenge if done without an understanding of the natural features of wood. A hardwood tree may be many dozens of feet tall and several feet in diameter, but often it will yield boards that are no more than 12 inches wide. Moldings, in turn, will be narrower than that. Moulding stacking can help avoid width limitations while opening new design possibilities.
STACKING MOULDINGS MAKES IT POSSIBLE
Typical trim widths vary from three to six inches but some of the most desired baseboard and crown moulding are much wider. By combining smaller moulding profiles and shapes, it's easy to build up or "stack" standard profiles.
This creates the effect of a single piece of wood several inches wider in almost any style. Using multiple smaller moldings instead of one solid molding adds the same visual interest and high-quality finish.
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DESIGN IN THREES
Wood mouldings and trim have increasingly followed a Rule of Three, where room design combines three different pieces of trim to pull the design together. The inclusion of a third type of trim creates a new level of visual interest and depth. This can include picture rails, chair rails, wainscoting, or a ceiling detail.
SIMPLE CLEAN LINES
While there may be more mouldings in one area, they are likely to be simpler, with less intricate overall moulding profiles. "Most of the mouldings that we are making right now are more contemporary," explained Jordan McIlvain from Alan McIlvain Company, located outside Philadelphia. "For both interior and exterior applications, we are making straighter lines and less curves for an overall cleaner look."
THINK PAST WHITE PAINT WITH TRIM & CABINETRY
White continues to be a popular choice when choosing to paint trim or cabinetry. The clean, sleek look of white trim lends itself to bold color elsewhere. However, many are taking that traditional color choice and flipping it upside down. An up and coming trend is to forego white and paint the trim or cabinets in the bolder colors instead. "Customers are telling us that trim and cabinets are being painted in green and blue hues," says Swaner.
Frequently asked questions
How can you create oversized wood mouldings despite board width limitations?+
By stacking mouldings—combining smaller moulding profiles and shapes to build up standard profiles. This creates the effect of a single piece of wood several inches wider in almost any style while adding visual interest and a high-quality finish.
What is the Rule of Three in wood moulding and trim design?+
The Rule of Three combines three different pieces of trim in a room to pull the design together. The third trim type—such as picture rails, chair rails, wainscoting, or a ceiling detail—adds a new level of visual interest and depth.
What moulding profile styles are currently trending?+
Contemporary profiles with simpler, cleaner lines are trending. According to Jordan McIlvain of Alan McIlvain Company, current mouldings for both interior and exterior applications feature straighter lines and fewer curves for an overall cleaner look.
What are typical widths for trim and moulding?+
Typical trim widths range from three to six inches, though some of the most desired baseboard and crown mouldings are much wider. Hardwood trees often yield boards no more than 12 inches wide, and mouldings are narrower than that.
What paint color trends are emerging for trim and cabinetry beyond white?+
While white remains popular, an up-and-coming trend is painting trim and cabinets in bolder colors instead. According to Swaner, customers report that trim and cabinets are being painted in green and blue hues.
Why use multiple stacked mouldings instead of a single solid moulding?+
Using multiple smaller mouldings delivers the same visual interest and high-quality finish as a single solid moulding while overcoming the width limitations of hardwood boards. It also opens up new design possibilities across many styles.