Decorative wood moulding has been critical design element in architecture for decades, but it doesn’t have to be stuffy or traditional. In fact, one of the best ways to add interest to a wall is to add some kind of moulding, whether it’s a chair rail, crown moulding, or wainscoting. If you’re looking to give a tired old space new life with a fresh look, consider moulding as an affordable option.

If you aren’t sure where to begin, first consider adding crown moulding, which is the wood moulding that ‘crowns’ the top of the wall. It sits right where the ceiling and wall meet, and often, the addition of crown moulding can make your walls appear much taller, giving the illusion of a larger room.

If you already have crown moulding in your home, think about something more dramatic, like the moulding shown above which creates almost picture frame-like panels on the wall. To learn more about the types of moulding, and what they’re called, explore our Fall Style Guide.

When dreaming up the possibilities for decorative trim on your wall, the possibilities are really endless. Consider different shapes and sizes, and more importantly, think about the style you’re trying to achieve. If you’re going for a more traditional look, stick to wainscoting and think door and window trim. If you’re looking for something a little more unexpected and dramatic, consider creating panels with trim or using ceiling medallions to create a pattern on the wall.

Have you ever thought about using a common home element in an unexpected way? These ceiling medallions (usually used to visually anchor a light fixture to the ceiling) were first painted then adhered to the wall to create a pattern. Pretty chic, right?

Moulding projects are usually very affordable, and The Home Depot offers dozens of types of moulding to get the look you want to achieve. Browse our ceiling medallions and moulding online, or check it out in stores. For how-to instructions for creating the looks you’ve seen here, visit Moulding 101.