Key takeaways
- Taller baseboards are one of the cheapest ways to make a house look custom.
- Casing and baseboards should feel like a set, with plinth blocks or simple stops where they meet.
- Flat, square profiles read modern, while stepped profiles read traditional.
The main families of trim
Colonial trim has curved, layered profiles and is the standard in many American homes. Craftsman trim is flatter and wider, with a header over doors and windows. Modern trim is often a simple flat board with crisp edges.
Cottage and farmhouse trim often uses beaded or shaker-style details. The right choice depends on your house and the feeling you want.
Heights and widths
Many homes with eight-foot ceilings look good with five to seven inch baseboards, and taller ceilings can take seven to nine inches. Casing commonly runs from two and a quarter inches in colonial homes to three and a half or more in Craftsman styles.
A good test is to hold up a sample board to the wall. If it looks timid, go taller.
Details that make it look expensive
Mitered or coped joints that stay closed, nail holes filled flush, caulk lines that are crisp and a consistent paint sheen are what make trim look high-end. Using the same species and profile throughout adds to the effect.
On older houses, we can often match existing profiles so new work blends in.
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Quick answers
What is a plinth block?
A plinth block is a thicker block at the bottom of door casing where the baseboard meets it, which solves the problem of different thicknesses and adds a classic detail.
Should I use MDF or wood for painted trim?
MDF is stable and economical for painted trim, while poplar offers a harder surface and is easy to paint. Both can look great.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free estimate or call 615-431-3789.