GET CREATIVE WITH MILLWORK: BLENDING STYLES TO ENHANCE A HOME’S CHARACTER AND VALUE

April 2, 2024

Intricate crown moulding, custom window framing, shiplap or wainscoting, mantels, columns, even built-in cabinetry — quality millwork takes a house and transforms it into a home by adding style, character, and functionality. While beautiful to look at, artfully crafted millwork also provides tangible benefits that can improve both aesthetics and bottom lines, adding value to square footage and increasing property values.

WHY MILLWORK INCREASES HOME VALUES

Well-crafted millwork adds value by elevating the finish of a space. Through dramatic details that often hint at a home’s heritage or history, millwork designs can work to complement the character of any home, new or historic.

Homes featuring such customizations leave bold design impressions, often commanding higher prices when they’re listed on the market: A survey of over 250 real estate agents said that, depending on the home style and type of millwork, agents’ perceived value of a home could increase by as much as 21%.

Aesthetic value aside, millwork also unlocks functionality. For instance, custom cabinetry streamlines storage, and smart mudrooms with built-ins simplify entering and exiting, while creative shelving doubles as display space. Thoughtful millwork simply makes homes more livable and practical.

HOW TO MIX MILLWORK STYLES FOR VISUAL HARMONY

While it makes sense to seek out millwork and moulding elements of similar styles, don't be afraid to get creative by mixing diverse styles. Blending complementary styles that tie together on a thematic level can reinforce and emphasize interesting features and details in a home, while mixing contrasting styles can help balance out bold statements.

White painted dentil moulding and classical column wraps combine with more natural wood grain wall paneling to both accentuate the wood flooring and draw visual interest up — without overcommitting to a single style.

USING MILLWORK TO COMPLEMENT AND HIGHLIGHT

Diverse millwork styles that complement each other can be used to emphasize their common features while adding visual interest. For example, the straight lines and angularity of Art Deco geometric patterns make an interesting blend with the thicker, more rugged wooden brackets frequently seen in Craftsman homes. With both styles rooted in the early 20th century and their common use of clean lines, mixing the two styles can bring out those commonalities.

Traditional and modern paneling combine to add a bold touch to a serene color palette and streamlined decor.

USING MILLWORK TO CREATE BALANCE

Millwork can be used in a variety of ways to create a sense of balance. For instance, you can use more ornate millwork strategically in focal areas and simpler styles in secondary spaces. You can also use contrasting styles to ensure that one style doesn't dominate the aesthetic of a home — for example, an industrial-style stairway bannister can offset more ornate, classical-style wall paneling.

Streamlined, industrial-style wood stair railings keep the classical elements of the wood-paneled and marble-tiled mudroom from monopolizing the home's aesthetic.

DOS AND DON'TS OF MIXING MILLWORK STYLES

The key is finding the right blend of styles that adds appealing visual interest while retaining an integrated, purposeful look that evokes a sense of harmony. Planning out proportions and placement thoughtfully ensures a cohesive finished product.

HERE ARE A FEW DOS AND DON’TS TO BEAR IN MIND WHEN MIXING MILLWORK STYLES:

Find complementary styles with common shapes or a similar color scheme.
Use ornate touches as a focal point strategically, surrounded by simpler shapes.
Align proportions and dimension to maintain cohesion so that smaller details don’t get lost or overshadowed.
Use mixed material types intentionally, such as rich wood window frames that pop against white stucco walls.
Find visual inspiration through research, or rely on an interior designer to ensure a cohesive outcome.

DON'T

Mix styles that contrast too much, such as highly ornate along with modern and minimal.
Use too many ornate pieces that compete for attention or overwhelm.
Use chunkier pieces, like blocky crown moulding, alongside smaller pieces, such as delicate legs on a cabinet.
Choose materials based solely on function or pricing that can compromise aesthetic value and the overall design vision.
Focus on one element of millwork without considering its context and placement alongside other design and architectural elements.

Ornate moulding and carvings contrast with the Scandinavian-style shiplap on the right, while the earthy green color of both ties in with the room's organic furnishings.

More opportunities for adding millwork to increase a home's functionality and value include:

Window seats that create extra seating space and storage
Wainscoting that protects walls in high-traffic areas
Chair rails that are integrated into wainscoting to prevent wall damage
Crown moulding that increases storage options by allowing space for cabinets and shelving up to the ceiling
Laundry room cabinetry that streamlines laundry work with tailored shelves, hanging bars, and folding counters

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT MILLWORK MATERIALS FOR THE RIGHT SPACES

Expectation-setting around materials is important in the planning process, as some clients might choose aesthetics over functionality or vice versa, leading to problems down the road. For example, selecting a wood that is prone to warping and shrinking over time can lead to doors that fail to close properly or windows that let in drafts. Seeking out durable, stable species like poplar rather than budget wood with low upfront prices saves the trouble of costly replacements.

According to the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI), you should consider cost, hardness (the ability of the wood species to resist stress, indentation, and wear), and dimension stability (especially important to consider in areas where humidity conditions vary widely) when choosing the right wood for an architectural woodwork project.

Taking the time to choose quality materials tailored to the space results in heirloom millwork that adds value and functionality for years to come.

PARTNER WITH MILLWORK PROFESSIONALS

With homeowners continuing to place a premium on homes with custom millwork, exploring these features is a proven way to add value. By partnering with skilled millwork professionals and using materials made to last, builders can elevate their properties to new heights.

With over 135 conveniently located millwork facilities nationwide, Builders FirstSource fulfills any project's millwork needs with skilled artisans, automated manufacturing, vast moulding selection, and collective resources that ensure homebuilders get what they need, when and where they need it.

Learn more about our millwork and moulding expertise.

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Rely on Builders FirstSource for a solution that works for you. We have the resources and talent to execute your vision.

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