Replaced window trim in our 1950s house. Spent way too long staring at options before deciding. Here’s what I learned about the main styles.
Craftsman
Simple, flat boards with clean edges. No fancy profiles. Usually 3.5-4″ wide. A flat header piece at the top sticks out past the sides.
Looks handmade and solid. Works with bungalows, arts and crafts homes, anything going for that warm handcrafted feel. Easy to install since there’s no complex miter cuts.
Colonial/Traditional
More ornate. Profiled moldings with curves and edges that catch shadows. Often has corner blocks (rosette pieces) where side casings meet the header.
Looks formal and established. Goes with older traditional homes, Georgian, Colonial Revival. More work to install – all those profiles need precise miters.
Farmhouse
Basically craftsman but with farmhouse context. Wide flat boards, usually painted white. Simple apron under the sill. Nothing fancy.
That clean-but-substantial look Instagram loves. Works great against shiplap or neutral walls.
Minimal/Modern
Narrow flat stock or sometimes no trim at all – drywall wrapped right to the window frame. Clean lines, nothing to notice.
Contemporary homes, mid-century, anything minimalist. The window is the focus, not the frame around it.
What I Picked
Craftsman throughout. Matched the house’s era, easy enough to install myself, and looks good with the oak floors. Simple decision once I understood the options.
Your call depends on your house and what you’re willing to install. Complex profiles are harder. Simple trim is more forgiving.
