Want to spice up your home and add some character? Here are 10 ways to wow your home with architectural details.

Do you ever feel like your home is lacking something? And maybe you just can’t figure out what it is? Do you ever walk through a home in a more historic part of a town and think, “this is so charming, so much personality!” Let’s talk about how to add a little extra detail to your home to give it that wow factor.

BASEBOARDS & CROWN MOLDING

Every home needs baseboards. Depending on the look you want to achieve, you might want to switch out the current baseboards for some taller ones, especially if your ceilings are 9’ or greater. If you have hardwood floors, you should also have a piece of shoe molding painted the same color as the baseboard and not the floor.

WAINSCOTING

There are different types of wainscoting from a traditional type with a chair rail to a modern board and batten. Use what works with the style of your home.

Collected Eclectic

DOOR & WINDOW TRIM

Again, you can use a traditional trim or something simple, but the result will give your doors and windows a finished look.

SHIPLAP

By adding shiplap to this wall in the living room it created a focal point and added character to an otherwise boring space. It’s subtle but makes a statement.

CEILING BEAMS

I love ceiling beams in a large, open family room. They add so much character. Did you know you can add these to your room as faux beams? Just be sure to have a stopping point.

See more of this space in How I Designed a 3 Season Porch to Feel Like Spring.

FIREPLACE MANTLE/ SURROUND

If your fireplace is feeling a little wimpy, consider changing out the mantle or even the whole surround. This is where you can get really creative. With all of the tile options and materials available, your fireplace is a great way to make a statement.

BUILT-INS

This is how you add character AND storage to your home. I think built-ins are my second love. Just ask my husband. He will tell you that I would put them in every room of the house, and it’s true. So far, we have added them to three of the bedrooms and basement rec room in our home. Want in on a little secret? I’m about to add some to my office! Look out for that!

Read more about this tween bedroom makeover.

HARDWOOD FLOORING

Hardwood flooring is a timeless element of any home. This is also something I like to have in every room, except for, of course, the bathrooms and laundry. Having continuous flooring throughout your home such as hardwoods can expand the space and tie all of the rooms together.

Inspired by Charm

KITCHEN CABINETRY TRIM

You can get really creative here with trim on the ends of your cabinetry, however I like to keep it simple. Check out the examples for some great inspiration.

Martha O’hara Interiors

Bria Hammel Interiors

MOLDINGS

Sometimes you have a space or a wall that you’re not sure what to do with. For example, I met with a client recently, and they asked about adding some molding to a bedroom wall. I said that’s the perfect place to add some molding since that will make it a feature wall where the head of the bed sits.

Angela Rose Home

See this transition space? I decided to add some molding going up the wall here to tie in with the wainscoting in the dining room. Now this little space has some added character, and it looks intentional by keeping with the style of the existing moldings.

In conclusion, the best way to do this is to make it look intentional. The new style of your architectural details must marry the style of your home and other details and not look like an after-thought. Tell me one spot in your home that could use a little architectural detail! Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!