One of the biggest, yet easiest, changes I’ve made to my home is switching out all of the trim. This one simple upgrade transforms a room from dated to modern in no time.
The narrow, cheap, builder grade trim put in most homes often lacks character and style. But replacing it with wider, more substantial trim, is an easy way to instantly elevate the overall look and feel of a room.
Whether you choose a sleek, minimalist design or something with a bit more detail, this upgrade adds a polished, custom touch that makes a huge difference.
With each room makeover I have done, this easy DIY trim project is a must! And my home office/guest room remodel was no exception.
How to Add Easy DIY Door and Window Trim
If you’re looking for a simple way to give your home a fresh, updated look, upgrading your own door and window trim is a fantastic place to start. It’s one of those projects that delivers a big impact without requiring a ton of time or experience.
Let’s dive into how you can add easy DIY door and window trim to transform your space!
Materials Needed:
To Remove Old Trim:
- Utility knife (to cut paint or caulk lines)
- Pry bar or trim removal tool
- Hammer (for removing stubborn nails)
- Pliers (to pull out old nails)
For Installing New Trim:
- Measuring tape
- Miter saw
- Nail gun
- 1×5 pine wood (Number of boards needed is dependent on project size)
- Wood filler
- Paintable Caulk
- Sandpaper
- Paint or stain
- Level
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Before we get started, let’s take a look at the builder grade trim in my home office/guest room…
How to Remove Old Trim
The first thing we need to do is remove the old trim of your interior window or door. This is a very straightforward process, but does require some care to ensure you don’t damage your walls.
Step 1: Cut the Caulk Line
Before you start prying off the trim, use a utility knife to score along the edges where the trim meets the wall. This breaks the seal of any paint or caulk, preventing it from peeling or tearing the wall surface when you pull the trim away.
Step 2: Loosen the Trim
Grab your pry bar or trim removal tool and gently wedge it between the trim and the wall. Start at one end of the trim and carefully work your way down, gently prying it away from the wall. Be sure to go slow to avoid cracking the trim or damaging the drywall.
Step 3: Remove Nails
As you pull the trim off, you might notice there are still some long nails in the wall. Use a hammer or pliers to remove any nails left behind.
If the nails are stubborn, I typically end up just pounding those into the wall. It gets them out of the way and doesn’t cause any problems. Just make sure they are completely embedded into the drywall and not sticking out at all.
Step 4: Clean Up the Surface
Once the trim is off, use your utility knife or putty knife to scrape away any leftover caulk, paint, or adhesive. Make sure the surface is clean and smooth before moving on to measuring and installing your new trim.
How to Measure for New Trim
Before we make any cuts, our first step is to figure out how many boards we need. Getting the right measurements is key to making sure your new trim fits perfectly around your doors and windows. Here’s how to accurately measure, so you’ll know how many boards to buy.
Step 1: Measure the Height
Start by measuring the height of the door or window from the floor (or sill) to the top of the frame. Be sure to write this number down twice to account for both side pieces.
Step 2: Measure the Width
Next, measure the width of the top of the door or window frame. Next, you’ll add the width of your side trim pieces. And then add 2 inches to this total.
Let’s break this down:
- If the width of my window is 48 inches,
- And each of my side trim pieces are 4 1/2″ wide (9 inches total)
- My board needs to be 57 inches.
- But wait, we’re not done…
- We need to account for this board sticking out further than the side trim pieces.
- Therefore, we need to add 2 more inches
- This gives us a total of 59 inches for our top window trim piece.
To figure out how much wood you need for the bottom window trim piece:
- you’ll simply measure the width of the window.
- And then add the width of the side pieces.
Therefore, when we consider the example above:
- If our window is 48 inches wide
- And our side pieces are 4 1/2″ wide each (9 inches total)
- Our bottom piece needs to be 57″ long.
Buying the Wood Needed
When buying the wood needed for my project, here’s how I figure up what I need. Let’s say I have 1 window and 1 door in my room.
- I’ll count on using 1 full board for each side of my door. (Two 8-ft pine boards)
- I’ll then measure the length needed for the top of my door and window. If it’s a standard single window, I should be able to get one 8-foot board for both of these.
- Most likely, I’ll need to buy one more 8-foot board for the bottom trim piece.
- Giving me a total of 4 boards needed.
What kind of wood should I use when adding new trim?
I like to use pine wood. However, for my baseboards, I have used MDF boards before. They hold up well. And when doing a large project, I can get more trim pieces out of one large sheet.
Even if you don’t have a table saw to make these cuts, Home Depot will usually make them for you.
Another advantage to using MDF board is you won’t run into any wood knots. If you’re staining your trim and like this look, then real wood is the way to go. But if not, MDF is a great choice.
Attaching the Side Boards First
To start, measure the distance from the floor to the top of the door or window frame. This will determine the length of your side boards.
Once measured and cut, position the first side board against the frame, ensuring it’s level. Use a nail gun to secure the board in place, starting at the top and working your way down. Repeat the process on the other side.
Attaching the side boards first ensures a clean, symmetrical look before moving on to the top and bottom pieces.
Measuring and Attaching the Top Board
Next step, measure the width of the span across the top of the door or window frame, making sure to include the two side trim pieces you just attached.
To give the top board (window header) a more finished, custom look, add 2 inches to your total measurement. This extra length allows the top board to extend slightly beyond the side pieces, creating a stylish overhang.
Once cut, place the top piece above the frame, ensuring it’s centered and even on both sides, then secure it in place with nails. This small detail really elevates the look of your trim, giving it a more polished appearance.
Adding the Bottom Trim for a Window
If you’re working on a door, you’re all done at this point! However, for a window, there’s one final step: adding the bottom trim piece.
To get the correct length, measure the width of the window, including the two side pieces you’ve already attached. This ensures that the bottom trim will extend the full width of the frame.
Once you’ve measured and cut your piece, simply place it at the bottom of the window frame and secure it with nails, making sure everything lines up evenly for a seamless look.
Filling Gaps and Finishing Touches
Now that your trim is securely in place, it’s time to perfect the final look with some finishing touches. This step is crucial to ensuring your new trim looks polished and professional, with no visible gaps or imperfections.
Step 1: Fill Nail Holes
Using wood filler, fill in the nail holes where you attached the trim. A small amount is all you need—just press it into the holes with your finger or a putty knife.
Once the filler is dry, sand the area lightly until smooth, blending it into the surrounding wood.
Step 2: Caulk the Gaps
Even with careful measurements, small gaps between the trim and wall will most likely occur, especially in older homes. Apply a thin bead of caulk along any gaps between the trim and the wall or between the trim pieces themselves.
This not only hides imperfections but also gives a smooth, seamless finish.
Step 3: Sand and Smooth
After the caulk and wood filler have dried, lightly sand the entire trim to smooth out any rough edges or uneven surfaces. Focus on areas where the filler or caulk was applied to ensure everything feels even to the touch.
Step 4: Paint or Stain
Now, you’re ready to paint or stain the trim. If you pre-painted or stained your trim before installation, this step is just about touch-ups. Use painter’s tape to protect the wall and floor, and apply your paint or stain evenly.
I like to use a foam roller for painting my trim. This ensures a smooth finish with no brush strokes.
Whether you paint your trim to stand out or blend in with the rest of the room, is all personal preference. I love the look of a monochromatic, dark and moody space.
Check out this post all about Color Drenching
But I also have rooms where the trim has just a tad bit more of a shine than the walls. To get this look, I’ll paint my walls with a satin sheen (as I do all of my walls) and my trim with a semi-gloss finish. The contrast is subtle, but stunning.
Finish the Look
To completely finish the look, I highly recommend changing your baseboards to match the thickness of your windows and door trim. Installing wider boards is a game changer! I share how to do this in the post below.
Here are a few places I’ve changed my trim:
My living room, where I added craftsman style window trim…
My dining room…
My master bedroom…
I’ve almost changed out all of the trim in my entire house. I love the more modern look it gives. It makes my 20 year old home look like a new home. Are you ready to add new trim to your own windows and doors? As always, let me know if you have any questions!
Designer Tip: When It Might Be Time to Bring in Help
If you’re working on your home and things still don’t feel quite right, you’re not alone. Many of our clients start exactly where you are now. They’ve gathered ideas, saved inspiration photos, and maybe even purchased a few pieces, but the space still doesn’t feel cohesive. That’s often the moment when having a designer can make all the difference. We help homeowners create a clear plan so every decision works together. From layout and furniture placement to finishes and lighting, the goal is a space that feels thoughtful, comfortable, and complete.
If you’d like a little guidance with your space, you can learn more about our interior design services below.
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