Adding trim to your door frames is an easy and affordable way to completely transform the look and feel of a room. With so many door trim styles and designs to choose from, it can be overwhelming trying to decide what will work best for your home. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the most popular door trim ideas to inspire your next trim project.
What is Door Trim?
Door trim refers to decorative molding that is installed around the inside edges of a door frame. It serves both practical and aesthetic purposes. On a practical level, door trim covers the seam between the door frame and the wall, creating a polished look. Aesthetically, the right trim can complement your interior design style, add visual interest, and make a statement.
Door trim comes in a variety of materials, shapes, sizes and styles. Some popular options include:
- Wood trim – Most commonly made of pine, oak or poplar. Comes in different widths and levels of ornamentation.
- MDF trim – Made of dense composite wood fibers. More affordable than solid wood and can be painted or faux-finished.
- PVC/vinyl trim – Durable, moisture-resistant synthetic trim that won’t rot. Easy to install and low maintenance.
- Polystyrene trim – Lightweight foam trim used mainly for ornate molded designs.
- Metal trim – Usually made of aluminum. Sleek and modern looking.
The design of your door trim should enhance your room’s architecture and interior design. When selecting door trim, consider the style of your doors, moldings, and cabinetry to create a cohesive look.
Simple Door Trim Ideas
For a clean, subtle look, opt for simple door trim styles and materials. Simple designs allow your doors and hardware to shine.
1. Square-Edged Door Trim
Square-edged wood or MDF trim is a straightforward choice that complements a range of interior styles from traditional to modern. The sharp, 90-degree inside and outside edges provide a tailored look. This type of trim can be minimalist for contemporary spaces or built up with multiple layers for traditional homes.
2. Thin Profile Door Trim
Thin door trim molding, around 1 to 2 inches wide, blends into a room discreetly. It provides just enough framing to finish the door frame without being showy. Use thin pine or poplar boards for a cost-effective minimalist trim.
3. MDF Door Trim
For an ultra-streamlined look, MDF (medium-density fiberboard) is an excellent door trim material. Primed MDF can be painted any color and easily sized to your specifications. Opt for simple squared MDF boards or minimalist profile shapes.
4. Caulk-Only Door Trim
In contemporary, industrial or rustic spaces, you can forego additional trim and simply caulk the seam between the door frame and wall. When neatly smoothed, the caulk provides a minimalist finished look. Caulk comes in a range of colors to match your wall.
Elaborate Door Trim Ideas
To make a bold statement, choose more ornate and complex door trim designs. Intricate details and lavish materials command attention and communicate traditional or glamorous style.
5. Raised Panel Door Trim
This door trim option frames doors with a raised center panel and a carved trim border. The dimensional center panel adds depth, while the detailed trim imparts grace and refinement. Use raised panel trim to play up formal spaces or old-world style.
6. Crown Door Trim
Crown molding trim along the top of a door frame achieves an elegant, finished look. Crown molding comes in varying levels of intricacy and can be painted or stained to match other trimwork in the space. Use wide crown molding on taller doors to balance proportions.
7. Natural Wood Door Trim
For rustic and traditional spaces, natural stained wood trim has an authentic charm. Species like pine, oak, hickory and fir have distinctive grains that add texture. Distress wood trim for a timeworn appearance.
8. Pediment Door Trim
Pediments are large, triangular crowning elements above door frames. They’re carved from wood or MDF and add drama and height. Use pediment trim on important doors like entryways or focal points.
9. Polystyrene Ornate Trim
For the elaborate look of carved plaster or stone trim without the weight, opt for polystyrene foam. It can be intricately molded with designs like shells, acanthus leaves, rosettes and corner flourishes.
Modern Door Trim Ideas
Clean lines and geometric shapes define door trim in contemporary spaces. Play with dimension, angles and asymmetrical designs for cool modern style.
10. Recessed Trim
A contemporary alternative to raised panels, recessed trim frames doors with indentations rather than protruding sections. The result is subtle shadow lines versus bold moulding.
11. Metal Door Trim
For contemporary spaces, metal provides sleek, streamlined trim. Opt for thin aluminum strips or channel profiles to outline doors and windows. Use metallic finishes like brushed nickel, bronze and antique brass.
12. Acrylic Door Trim
Clear acrylic sheet can be laser cut into customized trim shapes to fit any door. Illuminated with LED lights, it creates a cool glowing effect. Use colored acrylics for a pop of color.
13. Asymmetrical Door Trim
Asymmetrical door trim breaks design rules in cool, contemporary ways. Play with uneven mitered edges, irregular intersecting planes and trim that only frames part of the door.
Rustic Door Trim Ideas
In farmhouse, cottage, and rustic settings, door trim should look naturally weathered and unprocessed. Rough-hewn wood and found materials match relaxed vintage style.
14. Repurposed Wood Trim
For added character, frame doors with salvaged wood planks, old barn boards, fence pickets, or cut logs. The imperfections tell a story and reinforce rustic charm.
15. Chunky Wood Trim
Thick slabs of wood that are left unfinished and unplaned give a chunky, rugged look. Use naturally weathered cuts of pine, oak, cedar, or any favorite wood.
16. Twig Door Trim
In nature-inspired spaces, frame doors with rustic bundled twigs for an earthy look. Use twigs from your property or foraged branches for a personal touch.
17. Galvanized Metal Door Trim
Corrugated sheet metal and galvanized tin add rugged industrial edge to door trim in vintage cottages and farmhouses. The metal can be left unfinished or painted a fun color.
Door Trim by Interior Style
Match your door trim to your overall interior design for a harmonious look. Here are some style-specific door trim ideas:
Traditional Door Trim Ideas
- Crown molding
- Raised panel
- Detailed carved wood
- Natural stained wood
- Pottery or plaster rosettes
Modern Door Trim Ideas
- Metal channels
- Recessed
- Acrylic
- Asymmetrical
- Colored caulk
Rustic Door Trim Ideas
- Repurposed boards
- Twigs and branches
- Galvanized metal
- Chunky unfinished wood
- Log slices
Farmhouse Door Trim Ideas
- Beadboard
- Vintage molding
- Salvaged tin
- Distressed painted wood
- Jute/burlap accents
Cottage Door Trim Ideas
- Painted shiplap
- Laser cut metal
- Woven trim accents
- Curving branches
- Floral details
No matter your interior design style, there is a door trim solution that can take your entryway or interior doors to the next level. When choosing door trim, consider the architectural style of your home, your personal style sensibilities, and how you want the trim to enhance the surrounding space. With so many options, you can easily find beautiful door trim to fit your vision.
How to Install Door Trim
Installing door trim is an approachable DIY project that can completely transform plain door frames. Here are some step-by-step instructions for installing basic interior door trim:
Materials Needed
- Door trim boards
- Finish nails
- Wood putty
- Miter saw
- Nail gun (optional)
- Wood glue (optional)
Directions
- Measure the sides and top of your door frame to determine the length of trim needed. Leave a 1/8″ gap between the door and trim.
- Cut trim boards to length with a miter saw. For the top board, cut a 45 degree angle at each end to join with the side pieces.
- Run a bead of wood glue on the back side of the trim (optional). Align trim on the door frame and attach with finish nails every 16 inches.
- Attach the angled top piece last using wood glue and nails. The angled edge should fit flush against the side trim.
- Set any protruding nails with a nail punch. Fill nail holes with wood putty. Wait for putty to dry and sand smooth.
- Finish trim with paint or stain to match your interior. Add an extra coat over nail holes.
- Caulk along the outer edge of the trim where it meets the wall using a paintable caulk that matches the trim color.
And that’s it! Installing simple square door trim is an easy way to add polish to plain doors. Feel free to get creative with more elaborate trim styles and layered moldings.
Painting vs Staining Door Trim
An important step in finishing off your door trim is choosing the right paint or stain color. Both painting and staining have their benefits:
Paint
- Easier touch-ups
- Wide range of colors
- Durable and washable
- Uniform finishes
Stain
- Highlights wood grain
- Traditional appearance
- Lower maintenance
- Natural material palette
In many cases, painted trim is the preferred choice because it allows you to match the trim exactly to your wall color for a streamlined look. Paint also stands up well to everyday use.
However, for certain interior design styles like farmhouse and traditional, stained wood trim is preferable to showcase the natural wood textures and rustic charm. For a middle ground, opt for paint with a faux woodgrain finish.
When selecting a paint or stain color, hold trim samples up to your existing cabinetry, floors, furnishings and wall colors to see what complements your space best. Neutral shades like white, cream, beige and gray provide flexibility, while deeper colors can make a bold statement.
Door Trim Ideas by Door Type
Just as door trim should coordinate with your interior design, it should also flatter the style of your actual doors. Here are some recommended pairings:
Paneled doors – Elaborate raised panel trim, crown molding, carved details
French doors – Thin profiled framing, stained wood, painted to match shutters
Barn doors – Repurposed wood, rustic twigs, unfinished edges
Modern doors – Metal channel trim, acrylic, colored caulk, no trim
Bifold doors – Minimalist moldings, match color to door tracks
Pocket doors – Shadowbox trim, only frame opening, match wall color
Carefully selecting trim that works with both your door and room style results in a holistic, polished look. You want the trim to enhance the door, not compete with it.
Door Trim Ideas by Room
Door trim should be designed to fit both the style and function of specific rooms in your home:
Entryways – Make a grand statement with crown molding, columns, pediments
Bedrooms – Light molding for an airy, peaceful feel
Kitchens/Bathrooms – Use moisture-resistant trim and avoid ornate styles that collect dust
Kids’ Rooms – Fun colors or shapes like arches; avoid fancy trim that can snag toys
Offices/Studios – Simple and minimalist so the workspace remains the focus
Media Rooms – Bold molding that frames a focal point entertainment area
Laundry Rooms – Understated rustic or industrial trim for utilitarian spaces
Think about how each room is used and decorate door trim accordingly. Trim can help define a room’s purpose or reinforce design themes.
Common Questions About Door Trim
Still have questions about selecting and installing door trim? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What size trim should I use on doors?
For interior doors, a standard width is 2.25-3 inches. However, you can go wider or thinner depending on your desired look. Wider 6-inch trim makes more of a statement on dramatic entry doors.
Should door trim match the baseboards?
Consistency looks best, so matching trim and baseboards is ideal. However, it’s fine to use complementary designs, like simple baseboards and more decorative door trim.
What tools do I need to install door trim?
You’ll need a miter saw for cutting angles, a nail gun for easy installation (a hammer works too), wood putty for covering nail holes, and caulk to finish the edges.
How much does it cost to add trim to doors?
Door trim material costs $2-5 per foot. With approximately 25 feet needed for a standard door, materials cost roughly $100. Factor in tools or pro installation and the total is $200-400.
How do I trim out an interior door?
Cut header, jamb, and sill trim pieces to size with angled ends. Attach to the door frame using finish nails or a brad nailer. Use wood putty on nails, caulk the outer edges, and prime/paint for a polished look.
Final Thoughts on Door Trim Ideas
The right door trim has the power to completely transform the appearance and style of a space. With so many design options, from simple squared boards to dramatic crown moldings, you can find trim that matches your personal tastes and interior aesthetic. Carefully consider the door materials, room function, architectural style and overall desired mood when selecting door trim.
Installing trim immediately imparts polish and purpose to dull door frames. A tailored trim job pulls the whole room together! Hopefully the tips and ideas in this guide will inspire you to take on a door trim project with confidence. In no time, you can change the vibe of your home with beautiful new door trim details.