Adding moulding to your walls is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to elevate the look of any room in your home.
Today let’s look at beautiful wall moulding ideas to inspire you to add a touch of elegance to every room.
For each idea, I will provide an in-depth look at the style, optimal placement, and how to make it work in your space.
Let’s get started!
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Idea 1: Picture Frame Moulding
One of the most popular wall moulding ideas is using it to create a framed look around doorways, windows, niches, artwork or any other architectural or decorative element you want to draw attention to.
Often referred to as “picture framing”, it’s a great way to add polish, sophistication and visual weight.
To create this look, simply install moulding around the perimeter of the area you want to highlight.
For thickness, 1 to 3 inches tends to work well for most standard-sized openings and artwork.
For wider spaces, go for a wider frame up to 6 inches.
The most common types used are crown moulding up top paired with base moulding, chair rail or simple trim pieces on the sides.
When framing artwork, make sure to measure properly and center the piece within the frame.
For windows and doors, you’ll get a built-in look by extending the lines of the top moulding across the width of the wall.
For a truly custom aesthetic, use projecting interior corner blocks where vertical and horizontal pieces meet.
This traditional moulding technique suits all kinds of spaces from stately dining rooms to cozy living areas.
It draws the eye while adding personality, polish and visual weight no matter what’s inside the frame.
Idea 2: Chair Rail and Picture Frame Moulding
For a more substantial framed look, you can add both chair rail and crown or base moulding.
Installing two stacked bands of moulding provides definition and a sense of grandeur to any doorway or artwork display.
Typically, chair rail sits about one-third from the top of the wall with crown moulding above it.
For large pieces of art or wide openings, you can extend the frame wider by raising the chair rail slightly higher.
This double picture frame works well with traditional, elegant and transitional spaces.
The chair rail divides the wall nicely while the top and side moulding frames the focal point.
It’s particularly impactful in foyers, living rooms and dining rooms.
To make this moulding idea feel more modern, opt for simple, clean-lined chair rail and picture frame pieces without ornate detailing.
You can also paint or finish them in non-traditional colors like black, navy or soft greys for a more contemporary effect.
Idea 3: Board & Batten
A classic wall moulding idea that has stood the test of time is board and batten.
This intersecting vertical and horizontal strip look adds texture, dimension and a sense of Hand-craftsmanship.
To install, evenly space wide vertical boards made of wood or faux wood approximately 6 to 9 inches apart across the wall.
Then install horizontal batten strips in between at intervals approximately 24 to 48 inches apart.
Varying the spacing and alternating between wide and narrow battens creates even more visual interest.
For a modern take, opt for sleek, wide boards spaced further apart like 12-16 inches with minimal, matching battens.
Paint or finish them in a matte charcoal, navy or black for contemporary contrast.
Board and batten works in all kinds of spaces from casual family rooms to sophisticated dining areas.
It’s particularly well-suited to coastal, farmhouse, cottage and craftsman style homes.
Use it to create an accent wall or feature wall that becomes the stylish focal point of any room.
Idea 4: Beadboard Wainscoting
Beadboard delivers textural appeal and vintage farmhouse charm to walls in any home.
Traditionally made of tongue and groove wood planks with carved bead-like ridges, it creates attractive shadow lines.
DIY-friendly MDF panel versions are widely available and easy to install using adhesive and a brad nailer.
For a high-impact accent wall, install beadboard wainscoting about one-third up the wall or to where window and door trim meets.
Pair with a wide, decorative chair rail molding as a cap.
Paint in soft whites, light greys or classic navy for timeless appeal.
In bathrooms, run beadboard wainscoting all the way to the ceiling for a cottage look.
Paint it in serene light blues, airy greens or even glossy lacquered black for a glam yet vintage vibe.
No matter where you use it, beadboard wainscoting adds visual texture and dimension for an elegant, finished look.
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Idea 5: Ornate Crown Moulding
For a touch of timeless sophistication, ornate and decorative crown moulding imparts elegance.
Intricate, hand-carved vintage crown moulding delivers lavish detailing.
Look for designs with feminine florals, classical acanthus leaves, fleur-de-lis and other ornate shapes.
Position it where walls meet ceilings to elegantly frame the entire room.
For dining rooms and foyers choose the most elaborate, eye-catching pieces.
In bedrooms and living rooms, opt for lighter and more delicate patterns to maintain an airy, peaceful ambiance.
Paint ornate crown moulding in the same color as the ceiling and walls to unify the look.
For an elegant contrast, finish in glossy white against darker grey or blue gray walls.
Metallic gold leaf or silver leafed crown moulding also handsomely pops against neutral wall colors.
When properly incorporated, ornate crown moulding transforms any space.
It imparts a graceful, polished aesthetic with timeless appeal.
Idea 6: Modern Shiplap
While shiplap has been around for centuries, it still delivers on-trend appeal with its clean-lined, textural look.
Modern milled shiplap features boards with a tongue and groove edge so they fit snugly together.
The subtle seams and shadow lines create visual interest and dimension on walls and ceilings.
Paint crisp white for a light, airy coastal or farmhouse feel.
Go bold with saturated navy or charcoal grey for dramatic contrast.
For a natural look, stain in lighter oak or whitewashed wood tones.
Use shiplap on a focal accent wall or an entryway ceiling to add an architectural element.
Run it floor to ceiling for maximum rustic impact or horizontally to emphasize the linear look.
Varying the board widths and finishing the edges in square or angled shapes further customizes the aesthetic.
With so many options, shiplap engages the eye while still maintaining a clean, modern vibe.
It works in old and new homes, casual and refined spaces alike for a textural wall treatment that steals the show.
Idea 7: Wainscoting and Wall Panels
Incorporate architectural wall panelling paired with wainscoting for a polished look inspired by neoclassical design.
Wall panelling traditionally features framed geometric paneled designs often comprised of connecting squares, rectangles and octagons.
The panels visually break up large wall expanses while providing textural depth.
Pairing wall panelling on upper walls with wainscoting below anchors the aesthetic while adding stylistic contrast.
Opt for distressed wood panels stained in aged white or grayed hues against crisp white wainscoting.
Or layer crisp white panelling over moody navy wainscoting for even more dramatic effect.
This elegant wall treatment allows you to divide a space both horizontally and vertically.
It’s ideal for imparting a formal, sophisticated look in dining rooms, libraries and studies.
For a lighter look, paint both panelling and wainscoting in soft neutrals or ethereal pastels for an airy feel.
Idea 8: Coffered Ceilings
Define architectural interest in any space by installing recessed square or rectangular coffered ceilings.
Crisp white coffered ceilings impart grandeur and classical elegance reminiscent of Greek and Roman antiquities.
They feel substantial while still maintaining an airy, spacious quality overhead.
For a more relaxed yet still elegant aesthetic, opt for wide planked coffered ceilings stained in soft natural wood tones.
Or cover coffered panels in shiplap or beadboard for a textural element.
Paint inside the recessed squares or rectangles in a contrasting color to make them pop.
Coffered ceilings work wonders at drawing the eye up and emphasizing a room’s proportions and lines.
They feel custom versus a flat ceiling while still offering ample design flexibility.
Incorporate coffers throughout main living spaces or highlight a single focal point like over a dining table or above a bathtub.
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Idea 9: Tin Ceilings
Make a stunning vintage design statement by installing pressed metal tin ceilings in your home.
Historically made from stamped steel, today’s tin ceiling tiles or panels give the look while providing more practical benefits.
From Victorian florals to geometric art deco patterns, ornate tin ceilings impart showstopping vintage personality.
Pair fanciful tin ceiling tiles with crisp white walls and minimalist furnishings for an eye-catching juxtaposition.
For a cleaner look, opt for solid tin panels or simple tin tiles with subtle raised patterns.
Modern “faux tin” versions come in durable, easy-to-install plastic or foam.
The metallic sheen and subtle seaming lend an industrial vibe, perfectly suiting modern and contemporary homes.
Paint surrounding walls a moody hue like navy, charcoal or eggplant to really make the tin ceiling the star.
Accentuate edges and architectural features with matching metallic paint or wallpaper for a cohesive look.
Idea 10: Fabric Covered Walls and Ceilings
Breath new life and texture into lackluster walls and ceilings by covering them in fabric.
Layering gorgeous, tactile textiles like silk, velvet or linen transforms the aesthetic in any room.
Tailored paneled wall coverings feel polished and sophisticated while still offering sound dampening qualities.
For ceilings, loose draped canopies add a sense of romance and whimsy.
Nail or glue fabric borders along the ceiling perimeter to define the edges.
Choose vibrant patterned or metallic textiles to create a jewelry box feel overhead.
Upholster walls from top to bottom for a plush, envelope-like aesthetic.
Layer velvets, brocades or embossed fabrics on walls in libraries, dining rooms or bedrooms for regal appeal.
Seek inspiration from renowned 18th century French designers like Jean-Michel Frank who popularized the tactile wall covering trend.
Play with texture mixing matte and shiny fabrics or layering sheer and opaque materials.
Sophisticated contrast trim in leather or lacquered woods completes the frame for a polished yet enveloping look.
Idea 11: Grasscloth or Sisal Wallcovering
Woven natural fiber wallcoverings like grasscloth and sisal deliver soothing texture and refined style to any space.
Made from grasses, reeds, jute or other plant materials, these textured surfaces add dimension with their visible knots, holes and overlapping frond-like pattern.
Grasscloth lends itself to relaxed yet still elegant spaces like bedrooms, bathrooms and studies.
The organic undulating texture pairs well with linen upholstered furnishings and carved wood accents.
Grasscloth covered accent walls also help ground eclectic, globally inspired decor.
For a beach house vibe, cover walls in sisal for its casual braided rope look.
The sandy neutral hues complement furnishings in sun-washed linen, cotton and seagrass.
Or opt for versatile hemps and jutes dyed in ocean blues and seafoams to really evoke the coastal aesthetic.
No matter the fiber, natural woven wallcoverings add breathable texture and a touch of organic sophsitication.
Their versatility allows them to work in traditional to contemporary homes for a finished look that respects the environment.
Idea 12: Metallic Finishes
Few things impart glamour and reflect light as beautifully as metallic finishes on walls.
Gold leafing, silver leafing and pewter leafing involve bonding thin sheets of metal alloy foils to walls or mouldings.
The shimmering surfaces catch and reflect light elegantly.
For more affordable but still gorgeous metallics, paint walls in modern chrome-effect or champagne-effect metallic paints.
Made with small flecks of real brass, copper or aluminum, they create instant Gatsby-era opulence.
Especially effective on focal feature walls or the back of shelving.
Incorporate other glossy materials like glass, marble, mirrored and lacquered accents to complement the metallic sheen.
Elevate the regal ambiance with luxe velvets, silks and glass chandeliers overhead.
Murals and decorative medallions created from metal leaf sheets take this concept to the next level.
Framed in ornate crown mouldings for even more visual impact.
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Idea 13: Faux Finishes
Faux finishing techniques like sponging, ragging, stippling, marbling, graining and distressing allow you to embellish plain walls with the look of luxurious surfaces.
Specialty glazes and paints build up layers of color and texture for unique effects.
Rag rolling involves twisting a paint soaked cloth to create striated detail.
Marbling techniques mimic the look of polished stone with painterly water-effect painting.
Distressing mimics aged, time-worn finishes.
Use faux painting to transform ho-hum walls into anything from weathered brick, antique mirror or luxurious suede.
Create accent walls or murals behind beds, sofas or bars for serious wow-factor.
Hire specialty faux painters to mimic Old World Venetian plaster walls or develop a custom layered patina for showstopping architectural impact.
Faux wall treatments infuse immense decorative design flexibility for personalized elegance.
The addition of wall mouldings and treatments instantly elevates the aesthetic of any space.
Whether you want to frame and highlight architectural details or simply add eye-catching style, there are so many options to choose from.
When thoughtfully incorporated, mouldings and decorative wall treatments lend polish, elegance and a touch of luxury.
They provide visual weight to balance furnishings and make rooms feel professionally decorated.
With this array of timeless yet on-trend moulding and wall ideas, you can now confidently apply elegant finishing touches throughout your home.
