I'm finally tackling the project of trimming out my windows—been staring at bare drywall edges for way too long, haha. Anyway, I've narrowed it down to two styles but I'm kinda stuck deciding.
Option one is just a clean, simple trim—basic casing around the window, nothing fancy. I like that it's straightforward, probably quicker to install, and fits with pretty much any decor style. Plus, if I mess it up (um...which is definitely possible), it won't be too obvious or costly to fix.
Option two is more of a farmhouse-style frame with chunkier boards and a little bit of detail at the top. I've seen this look all over Pinterest lately and I admit it's pretty charming. But I'm worried it might be too trendy? Like, will I regret it in a few years when farmhouse isn't as popular? Also seems like it'll take more work and precision cuts—which could mean more frustration and trips back to Home Depot.
I guess I'm wondering if anyone here has done either style themselves and how it turned out. Did you regret going simple or wish you'd kept things easier after tackling something more elaborate? Or maybe vice versa? I'm open to hearing your experiences before I start cutting wood and cursing my measuring tape again...
"But I'm worried it might be too trendy? Like, will I regret it in a few years when farmhouse isn't as popular?"
Honestly, I wouldn't stress too much about trends. Styles cycle around anyway, and farmhouse has been around longer than Pinterest makes it seem. But if you're worried about precision cuts and frustration, maybe consider a middle ground? A slightly thicker, craftsman-style trim could give you that substantial look without the fuss of detailed farmhouse headers. Just something to chew on before you commit...
I went through a similar dilemma a couple of years ago with our kitchen reno. Here's what I ended up thinking about:
- Trends fade, but your personal style usually sticks around longer. If farmhouse feels genuinely "you," you'll probably still like it even when Instagram moves on.
- But if you're feeling hesitant, that's usually a sign to pause and reconsider. Maybe you like the idea of farmhouse now because it's everywhere, but will it still feel cozy to you later?
- Craftsman-style trim (like someone mentioned) is actually a pretty solid compromise. It's classic enough that it won't scream "2020s Pinterest board" five years down the line.
- Also, consider your home's overall style and neighborhood vibe. I almost went full farmhouse until I realized my 1960s ranch just looked confused with barn doors everywhere... 😂
Bottom line: pick something that makes you smile when you walk into the room, not something that'll impress visitors or followers.
Another angle worth considering is energy efficiency. Farmhouse-style frames can be gorgeous, but sometimes simpler trims make it easier to add insulated shades or cellular blinds later on. I went farmhouse initially, but ended up tweaking things later for better insulation (our winters get chilly!). Whatever you choose, comfort and warmth are big factors—trust me, you'll thank yourself when the heating bills come in...
The point about insulation is spot-on. Simple trims definitely make life easier if you plan to add shades or blinds later. Farmhouse frames look nice, but can limit your options down the road—seen that happen more than once.
"Farmhouse frames look nice, but can limit your options down the road—seen that happen more than once."
Yeah, learned that the hard way myself. We went with farmhouse-style frames in our living room a few years back because they matched our decor perfectly at the time. Fast forward to last summer when we wanted to install blackout shades for better insulation and privacy... total headache. Had to custom-order everything, and even then, fitting them was a pain. Simple trim definitely gives you more flexibility later on.
I get what you're saying about farmhouse frames being tricky down the line, but honestly, it depends a lot on how you plan ahead. We put farmhouse-style trim in our kitchen and dining area about five years ago, and yeah, it did make things a bit more complicated when we decided to upgrade window treatments. But if you're handy or willing to do some research, there are workarounds. I ended up installing inside-mounted cellular shades—had to measure carefully and order custom sizes online, but once they arrived, installation wasn't too bad. The key is making sure your window depth can accommodate an inside mount; otherwise, you're stuck with outside mounts that might clash visually.
If flexibility is your main priority, simple trim is definitely easier. But if you really love the farmhouse look and don't mind a little extra planning or DIY effort later on, it's still doable without major headaches. Just something to consider before you commit either way...
"if you're handy or willing to do some research, there are workarounds."
Totally agree with this. Helped a client recently who had farmhouse trim everywhere—beautiful, but tricky. Ended up custom-fitting Roman shades inside the frames. A bit fiddly, sure, but the end result was worth it.
Farmhouse trim can definitely complicate things, especially if you're looking to do something sleek or minimalist like shades or blinds. I had a similar issue last year—my windows had thick, decorative farmhouse trim, and standard blinds just looked awkward. Ended up going with inside-mounted cellular shades. The trick was measuring super precisely (had to re-measure multiple times just to be safe) and then carefully shimming the brackets to get a clean fit. It was a bit tedious, but the final look was neat and tidy without taking away from the charm of the farmhouse trim. If you're leaning toward farmhouse frames, just prepare yourself for some extra time spent measuring and adjusting...but it's totally doable if you're patient and detail-oriented.
"Ended up going with inside-mounted cellular shades. The trick was measuring super precisely..."
Yeah, precise measuring is key, but honestly, farmhouse trim can still be a headache. I tried something similar—inside-mounted roller shades—and even though I measured carefully, the decorative edges made it look off somehow. Eventually switched to simple trim and it was way easier to get a clean, minimalist look. Farmhouse frames do have charm, but just know they might test your patience a bit...