Been trying to figure out interior trim for our place and honestly, it's driving me nuts. Everything I see online either looks too farmhouse-y or way too minimalistic, like some futuristic spaceship. I mean, I get the appeal of clean lines and all, but does modern really have to mean zero personality?
We tried a simple flat trim in one room thinking it'd look sleek, but now it just feels kinda... unfinished? Like something's missing. On the other hand, traditional crown molding seems way too fussy and old-school for our style. I'm stuck in this weird middle ground and can't seem to find inspiration that hits the sweet spot.
Maybe I'm overthinking it (wouldn't be the first time lol), but does anyone else feel like there's just not enough good options out there for modern-but-not-boring interior trim? Curious if others have run into this issue or if it's just me being picky again...
Totally get what you're saying—modern doesn't have to equal sterile. A few things I've found helpful:
- Try a subtle step or reveal trim; adds depth without going overboard.
- Consider mixing materials—like sleek wood with a matte finish—to keep warmth and texture without farmhouse vibes.
- Lighting plays a huge role; sometimes good accent lighting makes simple trim feel intentional rather than unfinished.
"Lighting plays a huge role; sometimes good accent lighting makes simple trim feel intentional rather than unfinished."
Good point about lighting, but I'm wondering if relying too heavily on accent lighting might backfire? I've seen some setups where the trim looked fantastic at night with the lights on, but during the day it felt kinda flat or unfinished. Maybe it's just me, but I prefer trim that stands on its own without needing special lighting to look intentional.
Also, mixing materials can be tricky. Sleek wood with matte finishes sounds great in theory, but I've found it can sometimes clash if the rest of the room isn't carefully balanced. Have you considered going with a single material but varying the profile slightly from room to room? It can keep things cohesive yet interesting without risking that "trying too hard" vibe.
Just my two cents from years of trial and error...
That's a fair concern—lighting can definitely be a double-edged sword. A while back, I redid our living room trim in a minimalist style, and at first, it felt super bare during the day. But once we added some subtle texture to the wall paint and tweaked furniture placement a bit, suddenly the trim popped on its own, even without accent lighting. Sometimes it's just about balancing out the elements around it...sounds like you're on the right track though.