I've dealt with this exact issue when we redid our living room windows a few years back. Our house is pushing 80 years old, and trust me, nothing lines up anymore. I initially leaned toward farmhouse-style trim because I love the look, but those wider boards really did highlight every little wave and dip in the walls.
Ended up doing something similar to what you mentioned—planing down the back of the boards slightly. It was a bit tedious, but honestly worth it. Another thing that helped was using a matte or eggshell finish paint instead of semi-gloss. The lower sheen hides imperfections way better, especially if your walls have seen better days.
One caution though: if you're not careful with sanding or planing, you can accidentally thin out one side too much and end up with uneven edges at corners. Learned that one the hard way... had to redo a whole section because it bugged me every time I walked by.
We had a similar headache when we redid our kitchen trim last summer. Our house isn't quite 80 years old, but it's definitely settled enough to make straight lines feel like wishful thinking. I went farmhouse at first too—big mistake. Every little bow and bump stood out like crazy. Ended up switching to narrower trim boards and lightly scribing the backs to fit snug against the wall. Tedious? Yep. But at least now I don't cringe every time I grab my coffee...
Had the exact same issue with our old farmhouse—built around 1920, nothing straight left in the whole place. At first I thought chunky farmhouse trim would hide imperfections better, but it definitely did the opposite. Every uneven spot practically shouted at me whenever I walked by. Ended up going simpler, narrower boards and scribing them in like you mentioned. Yeah, it was slow going and my patience wore thin a couple times, but honestly...worth it. Now the trim blends nicely into the walls, and those little quirks feel charming instead of glaring. Plus, narrower trim makes rooms feel more open somehow—not sure why exactly, but it does. I'd say if you're already dealing with wonky walls, simpler is almost always better. Just my two cents from someone who's been there and done that (and has the leftover lumber pile to prove it).
Interesting point about simpler trim making rooms feel bigger—I wonder if it's because chunkier frames visually break up the wall space and draw your eye inward? Anyway, since you're already adjusting trim, have you noticed any drafts or insulation issues around those old windows? Might be a good chance to check seals and gaps while you're in there...could save you some headaches (and heating bills) down the road.
"Interesting point about simpler trim making rooms feel bigger—I wonder if it's because chunkier frames visually break up the wall space and draw your eye inward?"
Hmm, not sure I totally agree there. I've seen some farmhouse-style trims actually make rooms feel cozier without shrinking the space visually. But yeah, definitely second checking those window seals—old windows can be sneaky draft magnets. Learned that the hard way...
I've seen some farmhouse-style trims actually make rooms feel cozier without shrinking the space visually. But yeah, definitely second checking those window seals—old windows can be sneaky draft ...
I get what you're saying about farmhouse trims adding coziness without necessarily shrinking the space. When we redid our living room, I was worried chunky trim would make it feel cramped, but honestly, it just made the room feel warmer and more inviting. Maybe it's about balancing the trim size with wall color and furniture placement? And yeah, totally agree on the window seals—our old windows were drafty nightmares until we finally replaced them...
"Maybe it's about balancing the trim size with wall color and furniture placement?"
Yeah, that's probably a big part of it. I've seen farmhouse trims look great in some spaces, but honestly, I've also seen them overwhelm smaller rooms if not done carefully. It's easy to underestimate how much visual weight chunky trim can add, especially around windows.
Also, good call on the window seals—drafty windows can really mess with comfort levels, no matter how cozy your decor is. I've had clients who upgraded their trims first, only to realize later that the real issue was the windows themselves.
Curious though, did you notice a significant difference in room brightness after switching to farmhouse-style frames? I've heard mixed things about how thicker trims affect natural lighting...
Totally agree about the visual weight of farmhouse trims—seen that happen myself. A friend of mine redid their living room with chunky farmhouse-style frames, and honestly, it looked stunning at first glance. But after spending some time there, I realized the thicker trim actually blocked some of the natural light, especially on smaller windows. It wasn't dramatic, but noticeable enough to make the room feel slightly dimmer, especially in the afternoon.
Couple things I'd add from an energy efficiency angle:
- Thicker trims can sometimes hide or complicate access to window seals and insulation. If you're ever planning to upgrade or inspect your windows down the line, simpler trims might make your life easier.
- Also, farmhouse trims often mean more wood (or MDF), and depending on how they're installed, they can create tiny gaps or spaces that let air seep through. It's subtle, but it can impact heating and cooling efficiency over time.
- On the flip side, if you properly seal and insulate behind the trim during installation, thicker farmhouse frames can actually help reduce drafts around the window edges, improving comfort.
Personally, I'd say it's all about careful installation and attention to detail. If you're leaning toward the farmhouse style, just make sure whoever does the work pays close attention to sealing and insulation. Otherwise, you might end up with a beautiful room that's slightly less comfortable or energy-efficient than you'd hoped...
Good points overall, but I think the natural light issue might be overstated a bit. I've had farmhouse-style trims in my dining room for about 8 years now, and honestly, the difference in brightness wasn't noticeable enough to bother me or my family. Maybe it depends on window orientation or room layout?
Also, about the insulation and sealing—you're right that thicker trims can complicate access later on, but if you're careful during installation (like you mentioned), it's not really a big deal. One thing I'd suggest is using removable caulking or weatherstripping behind the trim. That way, if you ever need to inspect or upgrade your windows, you can easily remove and replace it without damaging the trim itself.
Personally, I'd say don't let minor concerns about energy efficiency or lighting completely steer you away from farmhouse trims if that's the style you genuinely love. With a bit of planning and attention to detail upfront, you can avoid most of these issues altogether.
"Personally, I'd say don't let minor concerns about energy efficiency or lighting completely steer you away from farmhouse trims if that's the style you genuinely love."
Fair enough, but I gotta say, I've replaced plenty of farmhouse-style trims for clients who regretted the bulkiness later on. One homeowner loved the look initially, but after a few years, she felt it made her smaller rooms feel cramped. Simple trims can still give you that cozy vibe without overwhelming the space—just something to think about before committing long-term.