Many modern homes today lack the architectural features that make historic homes so charming and unique. Transforming a room with minimal architectural interest into a more captivating space requires introducing elements that enhance its character and depth.
You can improve the atmosphere by thoughtfully incorporating design elements such as ceiling or wall texture, making it feel more dynamic and visually engaging. By adding focal points, depth, and cohesiveness, these improvements can turn an uninteresting space into one that is fashionable and more reflective of your individual preferences.
Adding architectural features to your home can transform a boring space into one with personality and style. Your home is the starting point, so consider its style and select architectural features that complement and elevate its design rather than those that do not fit it.
Molding and Trim
Installing molding and trim in a room is one of the most effective ways to add visual interest. Molding and trim are available in a variety of styles and profiles, making it simple to find options that complement your home’s aesthetic. Curved or intricate molding styles complement traditional or Victorian style homes. Simple molding profiles work best for farmhouse, modern, contemporary, and craftsman-style homes.
Crown molding is a decorative element used at the junction of the walls and ceiling. It will help any room feel more complete and polished. Other types of molding and trimwork include baseboards and chairrails, which can all help to add interest and character to a space. Painting your molding and trim a distinctive color will give it greater visual impact.
Feature Walls
A feature wall can be an effective design tool that enhances the architectural interest of a room. Consider a feature wall made of brick, stone, or wood to give the room a distinct personality. This not only breaks up the monotony of plain walls, but it will instantly distinguish the room. The right feature walls can help you achieve your desired style, whether it is rustic, coastal, farmhouse, or eclectic.
Ceiling Treatments
The ceiling is frequently overlooked in modern design, but it is a vast, blank canvas for incorporating architectural elements. When considering ceiling options for your space, remember to keep the style of your home in mind.
Adding beams or beadboard to the ceiling is a popular option for farmhouse, rustic, or cottage style homes. This gives your home instant age and personality. Another popular option is to install coffering on the ceiling. This complements traditional or classic home designs. If an extensive ceiling renovation is out of the question due to time or budget constraints, wallpaper can add a sense of depth and visual appeal.
Built-Ins
Built-in shelving, bookcases, window seats, and cabinetry are both functional and aesthetically pleasing in a room that lacks architectural character. These options are easily customizable to fit the size and design of the exact space you have in mind. You can add areas for both closed and open storage as needed.
Built-ins can be used to frame windows, fireplaces, doorways, and other focal points, instantly adding sophistication to the room. To add even more personality, paint your built-ins in a unique color that complements the room’s distinct palette.
Windows and Doors
Upgrading your windows and/or doors is a significant financial investment, but it can dramatically alter the architectural style of your home. Replacing small windows with larger, grid-patterned ones, or choosing an arched or bay window, can increase light and create a sense of space in a room.
Doors can also have a transformative effect. Replacing solid doors with French doors can give your home a more classic appearance. Sliding and folding doors have a sleek, contemporary appearance.
Fireplaces
Adding a fireplace, even if it is not functional, can instantly improve the atmosphere of a room and create a dramatic focal point. Whether traditional or modern, a fireplace creates a natural gathering place, which influences how you arrange the furniture and the atmosphere of the room. To further enhance the room’s appearance and functionality, surround the fireplace with a custom mantle, built-in shelving, or decorative tile.
Columns and Archways
Adding columns and archways to strategic locations and openings can add elegance and structure to a space, especially if it has an open floor plan with multiple spaces connected. Columns can define an area without interfering with the line of sight or flow of the room. They keep the space open while also adding architectural interest.
Archways soften the transition between rooms, providing a sense of flow as well as continuity and connection. Columns and archways are especially useful for giving a bland room a historic or classical appearance.
Decorative Paneling
A room lacking in visual character can greatly benefit from the addition of decorative wall paneling, such as shiplap, beadboard, and picture frame molding. These treatments add depth and interest to otherwise boring drywall, making a house appear more personalized and interesting. Depending on the paneling you select, it can complement a wide range of home styles, from the simple charm of beadboard to the elegant look of raised paneled walls.
Statement Lighting
Lighting serves a dual purpose in creating architectural interest by highlighting features that generate interest in the room while also making a statement on its own. The right lighting fixture in the right spot can transform a room from ordinary to extraordinary.
A chandelier or pendant light can highlight a specific area or illuminate a decorative ceiling medallion while adding drama to the space. Sconces above a fireplace or on a bookshelf highlight these areas while adding warmth and ambience.
Flooring
Flooring is a fundamental design aspect in signifying the architectural style of a room. Upgrading the flooring to materials with a high design impact, such as patterned tile, herringbone wood floors, or intricate mosaics, can set the tone for the entire room. These materials bring color, texture, and pattern into the room and anchor disparate design elements together. Even small changes, such as adding a patterned rug, can help to define the room’s space and improve its visual aesthetics.
Ceiling Medallions
Adding a ceiling medallion is a simple but effective way to add interest to the ceiling, especially when combined with a striking light fixture. Ceiling medallions draw the eye upward and create a sense of grandeur and refinement. They are available in a variety of styles, from simple to ornate, making them suitable for a wide range of room designs.
You can also use a ceiling medallion to disguise the area around the light fixture if it is unsightly or if the hole in the ceiling is too large for the light fixture canopy that you have.
Painted Details
Paint is a powerful tool for creating the appearance of architectural details at a low cost. Paint can be used to mimic the appearance of paneling, molding, and even details like arches and ceiling features with careful planning and application. For example, a trompe-l’oeil border around the top of the wall can be created to resemble crown molding, while a painted border around the middle of the wall can be created to resemble wall paneling without the use of woodwork.
Painting the shape of architectural elements is an excellent way to experiment with an idea without committing a significant amount of time or money. When you are ready to make a change, simply paint over it.
Corbels
Corbels are an appealing way to add architectural interest to built-in cabinets, shelves, and bookcases. Corbels, which are decorative brackets, come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, materials, and designs. They add a layer of detail that catches the eye, making these built-in elements feel more personalized and refined. Corbels, whether used in a modern or traditional setting, are a small detail that shows an extra level of attention that makes your home feel more distinctive and unique.
