6 Beautiful Door Trim Styles – This Old House

If walls are the outfit, door trim is the jewelry. It’s technically optional,
but once you see a doorway without casing, you suddenly understand why
rooms can feel “unfinished.” The right door trim style quietly hides gaps
between the wall and jamb, but it also frames your view from one room to
another and sets the tone for the entire house.

Inspired by the classic approach from This Old House, this guide walks
through six beautiful door trim styles and shows you how to match them to
your home’s architecture, ceiling height, color palette, and personal taste.
Whether you lean Colonial, Craftsman, farmhouse, or ultra-modern, there’s a
casing profile that can make your doors look like they came straight out of
a carefully restored historic home.

Door Trim 101: What Is Doorway Casing?

Doorway casing (often simply called door trim) is the molding that frames
an interior or exterior doorway. Typically, it’s made up of three boards:
two vertical side pieces and one horizontal head casing across the top.
Together, they:

• Cover the gap between the wall and the door jamb.
• Help block drafts and light leaks.
• Add visual structure and architectural style to a room.

Standard interior door trim is usually between 2¼ and 3½ inches wide, but
in bolder styles (like Craftsman or Victorian) it can be 4 inches or more.
The boards can be flat and simple or milled with curves, beads, and grooves
for a more decorative look.

Common Door Trim Materials

Most door casings fall into one of these material categories:

• Paint-grade softwood (like pine): Budget-friendly, smooth,
  and easy to work with; perfect if you plan to paint your trim.
• Stain-grade wood (like hemlock or fir): Better grain and
  richer color when you want a natural wood look.
• Hardwood (like oak or maple): Durable and moisture-resistant,
  great for high-traffic rooms or near bathrooms.
• MDF (medium-density fiberboard): Engineered, smooth, stable,
  and typically more affordable; ideal for painted trim.

As a rule of thumb, the wider and more detailed the profile, the more it
costs per linear foot. That’s why many homeowners mix and match:
simpler casing profiles for secondary rooms, and bolder profiles on
feature doorways, like a main hallway or dining room.

Mitered vs. Butted: The Two Big Trim Layouts

Before we dive into the six beautiful styles, it helps to understand the
two basic ways door casing is assembled: mitered and
butted.

Mitered Door Trim

Mitered trim is what most people picture when they think “door casing.”
The side pieces and head casing meet in crisp 45-degree corners. It’s clean,
symmetrical, and sits nicely in homes with lower or standard ceiling heights.

The upside? A simple, neat frame that works with everything from
transitional to modern interiors. The downside? Those 45-degree cuts must
be precise. If your DIY skills are still in the “I just learned how to use
a miter saw” phase, you’ll want to measure (and re-measure) carefully, or
call in a pro for the main rooms.

Butted Door Trim

With butted trim, the head casing sits flat on top of the vertical pieces,
so the joints are straight and square rather than angled. This layout:

• Makes it easier to install (no angle cuts!).
• Allows you to use a taller, more decorative head casing or add extra
  pieces above the door.
• Works especially well in rooms with higher ceilings where you want the
  eye drawn upward.

Many historic styles, including Victorian, Craftsman, and traditional
farmhouse, use butted casing combined with plinth blocks, rosettes, or
layered head trim to create a more substantial look.

The 6 Most Beautiful Door Trim Styles

Now that you know the basics, let’s walk through six door trim styles that
look right at home in a This Old House projectand can work just as
well in your place.

1. Colonial Door Trim: Classic and Timeless

Colonial casing is like the little black dress of door trim: simple,
traditional, and always appropriate. It often uses a cove-and-bead
profile, where a shallow concave curve (the cove) flows into a small rounded
bead. The result is understated detail that feels refined without being fussy.

You’ll see Colonial door trim in older New England homes and modern builds
that borrow from that heritage. It pairs well with:

• Symmetrical floor plans and centered doors.
• Paneled doors and classic six-over-six windows.
• Neutral paint palettes or soft historical colors.

Want more presence? Layer the casing. A popular trick is adding a second
board or back band around the main profile or creating a “ripple” effect
with multiple boards of different widths stepping away from the jamb. The
look is still Colonial, but with more depth and shadow play around the
doorway.

2. Victorian Door Trim: Ornate and Dramatic

Victorian trim is what happens when a woodworker decides, “Yes, we
absolutely need more detail.” In this style, door trim often features
fluted casingvertical grooves running top to bottomand
decorative corner blocks called rosettes.

Fluting adds texture and vertical emphasis, making ceilings feel taller.
Rosettes, which may be carved with flowers, circles, or other patterns,
serve two purposes:

• They add ornate detail at the corners of the doorway.
• They allow you to skip miter cuts altogetherthe casings butt into the blocks.

Victorian casing shines in:

• Homes with stained glass, high baseboards, or ceiling medallions.
• Formal parlors, dining rooms, or front entries you want to feel grand.
• Spaces where you’re not afraid of pattern, wallpaper, and rich color.

If full Victorian feels too busy, try a toned-down version: fluted casing
with simple, square rosettes and a modest head piece. You still get
historic character without the room feeling like it came with a corset
requirement.

3. Country & Farmhouse Door Trim: Simple Boards, Big Warmth

Country, cottage, and modern farmhouse interiors favor trim that’s honest,
straightforward, and slightly rustic. The most common look uses:

• Flat, straight-lined boards with very little profiling.
• Visible wood grain, sometimes with knots and character marks.
• Either painted trim for a fresh look or stained boards for a warm, cabin feel.

This style plays well with plank floors, shiplap, beadboard, and simple
slab or two-panel doors. One farmhouse-friendly detail is mounting the
side casings on plinth blockssmall, thicker blocks at the
bottom of the trim. They visually “anchor” the door, making it feel
sturdy and architectural.

You can keep the trim crisp white for a classic farmhouse look or lean into
warmer off-whites and greiges that feel more current. In vintage-inspired
spaces, a slightly distressed or brushed finish can give new trim a
timeworn look without the drafts and quirks of an actual 150-year-old house.

4. Craftsman Door Trim: Chunky and Architectural

Craftsman trim is all about proportion and craftsmanship. Profiles tend to
be:

• Thicker and wider (often 3½ to 4½ inches or more).
• Flat or gently profiled, with strong horizontal lines.
• Stained wood or painted in earthy, muted tones.

The head casing is usually taller than the side boards and may have a small
cap piece to create a “shelf” effect. In classic Craftsman bungalows, this
door trim lines up with equally bold window casings and deep baseboards,
creating a unified frame around the entire room.

Craftsman door trim looks especially good when:

• You have wood interior doors, not hollow-core slabs.
• Your furnishings lean solid and substantial, not dainty or ultra-minimal.
• You love the look of real wood and quality joinery.

If you want the Craftsman vibe on a budget, choose a flat-stock door trim
profile, go a little wider than standard, and paint everything the same
warm off-white or greige. You’ll still get that strong architectural
outline without paying for custom millwork.

5. Minimalist & Modern Door Trim: Flat, Narrow, or Trimless

In modern and contemporary homes, door trim often takes a backseator
disappears entirely. Minimalist casing tends to be:

• Perfectly flat with no curves or beads.
• Very narrow (sometimes under 2 inches), or flush with the wall.
• Painted the same color as the wall for a seamless look.

One option is basic flat casing installed in a mitered frame. Another is
an ultra-narrow casing that practically vanishes, leaving the door itself
as the star. For the most dramatic minimalist look, some high-end interiors
opt for trimless doors, where the wall and jamb meet almost
flush and the door seems to “float” within the opening.

Minimal trim works well when:

• The architecture is already strong and doesn’t need extra ornament.
• You have large, open spaces and a simple color palette.
• You prefer sleek furniture, modern lighting, and clean lines.

Just remember: the less trim you have, the more precise the drywall and
door installation must be. Trim covers sins; trimless doors expect
perfection.

6. Unconventional & Painted Door Trim: Tile, Stone, and Bold Color

Not all door trim has to be woodor even subtle. For homeowners who want a
true statement, there are two big directions:

Unconventional Materials

In bathrooms or high-impact entryways, tile or stone casing can be a
striking choice. Think marble trim framing a dark, paneled door, or slim
mosaic tile surrounding a powder room entry. These materials are more
expensive and installation is trickier, but the effect is unforgettable.

Painted & Color-Drenched Trim

Even with traditional wood casing, color can completely change the mood of
a doorway. You have two main strategies:

• Contrast trim: Painting your door and casing darker or
  more saturated than the walls so they act as bold frames around the room.
• Color drenching: Painting the walls, doors, and trim the
  same shade to create a calm, seamless envelope of color.

In older homes with great bones, matching doors and trim in a soft putty,
warm gray, or gentle charcoal feels fresh and modern without erasing
character. In more playful spaceskids’ rooms, studios, mudroomscontrast
trim in deep blue, olive, or even mustard can turn a plain doorway into a
design moment.

How to Choose the Right Door Trim Style for Your Home

Picking door trim is a lot like choosing glasses. You want frames that fit
your features, not fight them. Keep these factors in mind:

• Architectural style: Colonial and Victorian homes love
  detailed casing; ranches, farmhouses, and mid-century spaces lean toward
  simpler, flatter profiles.
• Ceiling height: Higher ceilings can handle taller head
  casings, plinth blocks, and layered trim. Lower ceilings look better with
  slimmer, simpler profiles.
• Door style: A five-panel door can carry a beefier casing;
  a flat slab might look overwhelmed by Victorian trim but perfect with
  minimal or modern casing.
• Room function: Formal dining rooms and entries can support
  more decorative trim than a laundry room or closet.
• Maintenance and durability: Wood or MDF is fine in most
  spaces, but near humid bathrooms, moisture-resistant materials or good
  sealing and paint are important.
• Budget: Remember: every doorway has three sides. That
  cost adds up fast across a whole house, so prioritize your most visible
  openings if you love an elaborate style.

A smart approach is to choose one trim “family” for the whole housesimilar
widths and profilesbut tweak the details. You can keep secondary bedrooms
simple while giving the main stair hall and living room a slightly more
decorative head casing or contrast paint color.

Installation Tips for Interior Door Trim

If you’re tackling door trim as a DIY project, a few contractor-level
habits will help you get clean, professional-looking results:

• Measure twice, cut once: Every door opening is a little
  different. Always measure each side individually rather than assuming
  they’re identical.
• Use a sharp blade and test cuts: For mitered trim, make a
  test cut on scrap to fine-tune your saw angle before cutting the actual
  casing.
• Check for plumb and level: Use a level on the jamb and
  adjust the trim slightly if the wall or frame is out of square. Small
  cheats now will look straight to the eye later.
• Caulk and fill: Fill nail holes with wood filler, then
  lightly sand. Run a thin bead of paintable caulk where trim meets the
  wall and jamb for a seamless, finished look.
• Prime before paint: MDF and bare wood both benefit from
  primer to avoid blotching and to help your topcoat adhere evenly.

Don’t be discouraged if the first doorway takes ages. By the third or
fourth, you’ll start to feel like you’ve been secretly apprenticing on a
This Old House job site.

Real-World Experiences with Door Trim Styles

Looking at pretty photos is one thing; living with a door trim style every
day is another. Here are a few “from the field” scenarios that reveal what
actually works long term.

A Colonial Revival Gets Its Backbone Back

Imagine a 1920s Colonial Revival that’s been “updated” a few too many
times. The original trim was removed in the 1980s and replaced with
skinny, flat casing that made every room feel a little flimsy. When new
owners moved in, they wanted to honor the home’s character without making
it feel like a museum.

They chose a cove-and-bead Colonial casing, a bit wider than standard, and
installed it with mitered corners on the first floor. On a few key openings
– the hall to the dining room and the living room entry – they added a
built-out head casing with a simple cap. Suddenly, the rooms felt anchored
again. The trim wasn’t flashy, but it restored the quiet formality that
suits a Colonial house.

The unexpected bonus? Once the doorways looked intentional, they could get
more playful with wall color and artwork. Classic trim turned out to be the
perfect backdrop for modern furniture and bold art.

The Farmhouse That Almost Went Too Fancy

In a rural farmhouse renovation, the owners initially fell in love with
images of ornate Victorian trim. Think flutes, rosettes, and deep headers
everywhere. On paper, it looked charming. But once a few pieces went up
in the actual housewith its low ceilings, wide plank floors, and simple
doorsit felt like the trim and the house were having two very different
conversations.

The solution was to pivot to a more country-style casing: flat boards with
a gentle eased edge, stained to show off the grain on the main level and
painted upstairs. They kept a few special details, like plinth blocks at
the entry and a slightly taller head casing in the dining room, but skipped
the full Victorian treatment.

The result was still detailed and intentional, but it felt honestlike the
trim belonged to the farmhouse instead of being imported from a different
century and ZIP code.

A Craftsman Bungalow That Found Its Confidence

In a Craftsman-era bungalow, previous owners had tried to “modernize” by
swapping out chunky original trim for narrow, builder-grade casing. The
proportions were off; the doors looked spindly and the rooms felt less
cozy. When restoration-minded owners came along, they decided to bring back
the heft.

They installed 4-inch flat Craftsman-style casing with a generous head
piece over each door, lined up with equally strong window trim. Everything
was painted a warm, creamy white to keep the small rooms feeling bright.
Even though the casing was wide, the consistent color palette kept it from
overwhelming the space.

One of the biggest surprises was how much quieter the house felt visually.
Instead of the eye bouncing from skinny trim to baseboard to door, the
larger profiles created calm, solid outlines. The bungalow suddenly felt
grounded and intentional, like a thoughtful restoration instead of a
halfway remodel.

Modern Minimalism with a Twist of Color

In a compact city apartment with high ceilings and smooth plaster walls,
the owners wanted modern minimalismbut they also wanted personality. They
chose ultra-simple flat casing around the doors, painted exactly the same
color as the walls so it nearly disappeared.

To keep things from feeling sterile, they used color strategically: one
interior door and its trim were painted a deep smoky blue in an otherwise
neutral hallway. The contrast turned that single doorway into a focal point
without adding extra molding or cost.

The takeaway? Even when you go minimal with the profile, door trim gives
you a powerful place to experiment with paint and proportion. A small
change in width or color can completely shift how a room feels.

Conclusion: The Right Door Trim Frames Your Entire Home

Door trim might seem like a finishing detail, but it quietly does a lot of
heavy lifting. It hides construction gaps, protects edges, andmost
importantlysignals what kind of home you live in: classic Colonial,
expressive Victorian, cozy farmhouse, grounded Craftsman, sleek modern, or
something creatively in between.

Start by looking at your home’s architecture, ceiling heights, and door
styles, then pick one of these six beautiful door trim styles as your
“base language.” From there, you can fine-tune widths, profiles, and paint
colors to suit each room. When in doubt, mock up one doorway with painter’s
tape or scrap boards before committing.

Once you land on the right casing, you’ll notice something funny: you stop
seeing your doors as holes in the wall and start seeing them as framed
views. And that’s when you’ll know your trim choice was the right one.