16 Ways to Add Architectural Character (Even When Your Home Has None)

Unadorned walls are a blank canvas. Look for opportunities to add architectural character with molding. Here, a modern twist on board-and-batten turned this once-boring bedroom into an eye-catching retreat. Inexpensive trim pieces can be cut to size to fit your dream configuration. 

Take advantage of extra vertical height by capturing the look of hand-hewn barn beams. These dark-stained wood beams lend a rustic touch to a neutral kitchen. The sturdy reclaimed beams prevent the space from looking washed out and create a cozy, lived-in feel despite the tall ceiling.

Create visual interest with wainscoting, which comes in many different patterns to suit any style. Beaded board adds a cottage persona. When installing wall panels in a damp area such as a bathroom, consider using imitation products made of durable materials like fiberboard that won't rot or warp when exposed to moisture.

Related: How to Install Beaded Board

Distinctive lighting is a key element of many room makeovers. Make a dynamic light fixture more dramatic with a glamorous ceiling medallion. These easy-to-install features are a stunning, effective way to lend prominence to chandeliers and pendants around the house.

Related: How to Install a Ceiling Medallion

Spice up transitions between rooms with beautiful interior doors. Today's wide range of colors, shapes, and styles offers versatility within every decor style. This conversation-worthy sliding barn door with chippy paint obscures a powder room while keeping the adjacent narrow hallway bright and accessible.

Update your entryway with a well-designed staircase. To give your stairs a simple facelift, consider replacing the newel (the vertical support at the center of a circular staircase or the post that supports a handrail at the bottom of a straight staircase) to anchor the landing. For budget-friendly character, use the power of paint to give stair treads and railings a fresh face, and you'll have an upscale look on a dime.

Roll up your sleeves and upgrade kitchen cabinets in a big way with molding. This treatment works for both wood and laminate cabinets, but the secret to a convincing look  is to make molding appear integrated. You can use either basic or decorative molding to create your desired style. If a DIY molding project isn't for you but you want to give cabinets fresh appeal, consider refacing them. 

Related: DIY Ideas to Update Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing Them

A classic window seat provides the perfect opportunity for both comfort and storage. Kitchen cabinets transformed into seating make for quick, inexpensive solution to a lack of architectural character. Add shelving to either side to store books and display favorite mementos. 

Dress up wide-open wall space with decorative molding. Suggest panels by applying thin strips of molding to walls. This technique, known as picture framing, is an easy way to emphasize artwork. For a bold look, paint the inside of the frame a different color.

Transform a blank space into a hardworking storage hub with built-in cabinetry. If custom woodwork isn't in your budget, consider freestanding furniture pieces. Store-bought cabinets and bookshelves can be installed as built-ins with the help of some clever trimwork. 

Don't settle for a cookie-cutter fireplace. Trade it out for a head-turning design that reflects your personality. Easy-to-install tiles achieve the beauty of dry-stacked natural stone for a fraction of the cost and weight of the real deal.

Corbels, a decorative bracket made from stone, wood, or metal, add an instant stamp of personality to any space. Consider adding them an entryway to soften the transition between rooms. Or use them under a kitchen island or open shelves.

Add interest and texture to your doorways with trimwork. Define arched doorways with detailed trim to create graceful entrances throughout your home.

Make your kitchen feel more like a living space by adding furniture-style details. Decorative carved legs or feet on an island or details at the base of cabinets give kitchens cozy character. Continue the look with a range hood that mimics the shape of trimwork details.

Don't forget to look up when designing your space. In this kitchen, a coffered ceiling stands out thanks to a contrasting blue-and-white color palette. Adding trimwork or ceiling beams to a space with a high ceiling can make it feel more welcoming.

Don't let a clunky range hood be an eyesore in your kitchen. Blend it into the rest of the room with decorative appliques and trim that mimic the surrounding cabinetry.