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Home Decor

Mini home makeover: 4 ways to use moulding and wall panels

Whether you want to add sophistication to an entryway or create a cottage feel in your bathroom, these basic accents will lend character to any space.
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Mini home makeover: 4 ways to use moulding and wall panels

Rustic Farmhouse. To achieve this look, use tongue-and-groove panelling. The term refers to the way the boards are cut: Each plank has a grooved side and an edge side, which snap together for a uniform finish. Why we love it: Installed in horizontal strips, it has a relaxed, country style. It goes a long way toward lending a rough-hewn quality.

Photo, Lucas Allen. To achieve this look, we suggest using tongue-and-groove panelling. (Photo, Lucas Allen.)

Tailored Modern. Apply strips of trim to existing drywall to create a classic grid or opt for thinner, more decorative panel moulding to form rectangular picture frames befitting a Parisian pied-à-terre. Why we love it: Straightforward enough for the weekend DIYer, applied panelling instantly makes your room stylish and dramatic.

Tailored Modern Photo, Little Greene Paint and Paper Applied strips of trim instantly makes your room stylish and dramatic. (Photo, Little Greene Paint and Paper.)

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Formal Elegance. This time-honoured method of moulding involves an intricate intersection of frames and panels. Recessed or raised panelling is best left to an experienced contractor. Why we love it: Traditional and sophisticated, this look adds an air of grandness to any space.

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Add some grandness to your space with recessed or raised panelling. (Photo, Bob Frame, Elsa Soyars Interiors.) Add some grandness to your space with recessed or raised panelling. (Photo, Bob Frame, Elsa Soyars Interiors.)

Beachy Casual. Use beadboard — vertical rows of narrow wood planks indented with a small ridge — to get this look. It is most often sold as long sheets for quick installation. Why we love it: It’s an easy way to give your home a cottage feel. Try it in a bathroom or kitchen, instead of tile.

Easily give your home a cottage feel using beadboard. (Photo, Marcus Peel Photography/1st Option.) Easily give your home a cottage feel using beadboard.
(Photo, Marcus Peel Photography/1st Option.)

Related:
5 common decorating mistakes and how to avoid them
Our home editor’s 5 favourite white paint colours
3 design styles to up your home’s curb appeal for under $30

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