From Basic to Beautiful: Bedroom Molding Ideas Transform Instantly

This post is all about molding ideas for bedrooms. Read on to learn more.

I truly believe that molding is the easiest way to elevate any room. My husband and I bought our fixer upper over 13 years ago and have transformed almost every room at this point. Molding was considered an investment that took each room from basic to beautiful and added value to our home with a simple decision. 

In this post, I will go over the basics and creative molding ideas for bedrooms to inspire you for your next renovation. Below are ways to incorporate molding for you to consider in  your bedroom design.

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Crown Molding Ideas for Bedrooms

Crown molding trims the top of walls (and it’s some of the trickiest molding to cut). The difference it makes in a room is remarkable. 

There are many styles to choose from when deciding how to add crown molding. Some create optical allusions by adding a little trim down the wall and painting it all to look like more substantial crown molding.

Below is what your ceiling would look like with and without molding. I like that it also helps hide my painting skills.

Whatever you decide, realize that of all the molding installations, crown is one of the more difficult ones, so it may be worth getting a professional in for it (or watching tons of YouTube).

A word of advice: think of it as an investment that will increase the value of your home.

Wainscoting and Panel Molding

I promise you, this type of molding can have a huge impact. When selecting to incorporate panel molding in your home, you can use your creativity to build your molding to go from a basic design to a more intricate design.

For a bedroom, board and batten molding is a classic style that’s easier to design, a perfect solution if you love it as much as I do. 

Notice in the picture below that there is a ledge added to hold items like the picture.

Baseboard and Shoe Molding

At the very least, you need to add baseboard molding to your bedroom. Many suggest that you use shorter molding if your ceiling height is lower and larger molding if you have higher ceiling heights; however, my house is from the 1960s, so we have 8 foot walls. I still used large molding in my bedroom and love it.

To shoe mold or not to shoe mold, that is the question. I used quarter round molding to finish off one room in my house and haven’t added it to a different room. I notice the difference. 

What I like about shoe molding is that it helps hide uneven floors while also finishing off your molding. 

Window and Door Trim Molding

Window and door trim is a necessity because it will hide the gaps between the installation and the wal, and it doesn’t need to be basic. 

Enhance the door frame molding by layering molding to create a unique detail and create a statement. 

Be sure to select molding styles that match the bedroom aesthetic you are creating. Meaning, if you’re into a clean aesthetic, ornate molding may not blend well.

Or, you can build a more robust doorway style by layering molding.

Ceiling Molding Ideas Beyond Crown

Molding isn’t only for walls, There are creative ways to mold your ceiling to add personality up above. 

If you have high ceilings, consider coffered ceiling molding. It makes your room look luxurious and adds value to your home.

Or, choose something fun to add personality to a kid’s room!

Below, the designer used wood to create clouds to add personality to the room. This is not your traditional molding, but it shows what you can do to add to your ceiling.

Creative Accent Molding Ideas

Oftentimes, when a person hears the term “molding”, they think of your traditional styles. This is far from the case nowadays! There are so many ways to dress up a wall, ceiling, or door.

Creativity takes center stage as people use molding to create something unique. Check out some different and stylish ways designers have used molding to create a room that stands out.

In this image, you can see that they added more dimension with more layers.

Choosing Materials 

Wood molding options (pine, oak, MDF) each serve different purposes and budgets in bedroom projects.

• Pine is an affordable, lightweight option that's easy to work with and paints well, making it ideal for painted trim work. It can dent easily and may show imperfections over time. 
• Oak provides exceptional durability and stunning natural grain patterns that work beautifully with stained finishes. It’s more expensive and best used when staining instead of painting.  
• MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) is often used (and what I used most) because it has the smoothest painted finish possible since it has no grain. It's heavier than pine but can't be stained since it lacks natural wood grain.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Below are some of the most common mistakes that can occur when working with molding.

Poor surface preparation is perhaps the most critical error. Be sure to properly clean, sand, and prime surfaces before applying molding. When finished sanding, make sure to wipe it down so that your paint looks smooth.

Incorrect measurements and cutting angles can result in gaps, overlaps, or pieces that simply don't fit together properly. Remember the adage, “take time to measure twice and cut once”.  Most corners in your house aren't perfectly square, so test-fit pieces before making final cuts.

Rushing the caulking process often shows in the final result through uneven bead lines and excess caulk chunks.  Apply caulk in steady, continuous motions and smooth with a damp cloth or tool for clean lines. 

Ignoring wood movement is another frequent oversight. As the seasons change,  wood expands and contracts with humidity, so leaving appropriate gaps and using the right fasteners prevents cracking and buckling over time. 

Inadequate planning for electrical outlets and switches. Be sure to note where outlets, switches, and thermostats are. It helps to avoid awkward cuts.

Fall in Love with Molding

Molding is the finishing touch on what should be one of your favorite places on earth: your home. If you’re overwhelmed by the idea of adding molding, don’t let that stop you. You can start with one small room, or you can hire out. Soon enough, you’re going to fall in love with the way it transforms your space. 

I’d love to hear about your install. Share below!

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