Decorative accent mouldings come in a wide variety of styles. Interior designers use these to add visual interest to rooms and spaces while highlighting desirable features and distracting from less attractive elements. There are several options and purposes of decorative moulding that can be used on their own or in combinations. This design tool is relatively inexpensive and simple and will elevate any home style.

Is it moulding or molding?

While the spelling “molding” is still used in some regions of the United States, the spelling “moulding” is the preferred spelling used by those in the industry. The official industry association, the Moulding & Millwork Producers Association, uses this spelling exclusively. I preferring spelling with a U because molding is unpleasant, moulding is wonderful!

Baseboards and Crown Moulding

Baseboards and crown moulding are the most common type of mouldings. Nearly every home will have baseboard mouldings that run along the space between the flooring and the wall. The second most popular, crown moulding, runs along the space between the ceiling and wall. These essentially frame a wall and were originally used to hide any gaps. Now they are used mostly for decoration.

Chair Rails and Picture Rails

Chair rails are designed to serve a functional purpose: to protect the wall from damage caused by chairs, usually in a dining area. They also add a decorative element by delineating between two paint colors, or perhaps wallpaper and paint. A picture rail is comprised of the same kind of thin wood strip as used in a chair rail, but typically placed a few feet below the ceiling. A picture rail allows the homeowner to hang decor without damaging the wall. When coupled with crown moulding, a picture rail can create the impression of a higher ceiling, adding a sense of luxury.

Wainscoting 

Common in traditional homes, wainscoting is paneling placed against a wall, originally used to camouflage wall damage near the floor of older homes with water seepage. Modern homes have a multitude of choices from which to choose. These decorative treatments are often used to make a room look larger or cozier, depending on the height of the paneling. You will also see wainscoting spelled with one T or TT like this, wainscotting, and both are correct.

Mouldings come  in a variety of styles and sizes, and each can be used for a  different purpose. Relatively simple to install, decorative molding can change the feel of any space.

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