How to Add Molding to a Plain Door

Just adding molding around a plain door can add interest to any room. In fact, it can be the focal point of the room, or a springboard for new room décor. It is a fairly simple process, though to do doing it right takes a little time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look carefully at your room. What is the style? Is it Arts and Crafts, modern, Victorian, or colonial? Do you wish to change the room's décor so that it becomes one of those styles?

2. Do research for houses of various styles. Look for interior photos and drawings and get an idea of the style of moldings that were used to trim the doors. You'll see that the styles vary widely from era to era.

3. Make a choice from your research for the style of the trim for your door. Take the pictures that appeal from you most, and go to your local hardware store or to your local building supply store.

4. Visit building surplus stores that sell moldings, doors, hardware and items from old house that have been slated for demolition. You may be able to find molding that would be perfect for the room to trim your door.

5. Go online should you not find what you like there. There are custom molding retailers like Architectural Millwork and Cheal Woodworking that will sell custom molding or will manufacture molding to your specifications. Other retailers, like Custom Molding, make moldings out of polyurethane, which can be a savings.

6. Follow the directions that come with the moldings to trim your door. If you have to make any cuts, use a compound miter saw. Attach the moldings with finish nails so that the nail holes are small. You can also fill the holes with putty that is the same color as the molding itself.

7. Finish the molding in the color you chose, be it paint or stain. Some moldings come pre-finished, so you can make your choice of finish as you pick out your moldings.

Resources

• Oak Trim has a wide variety of custom wood trim.
• Custom Molding has polyurethane architectural features for trim.