"Adding Trim to Built-Ins: A Step-by-Step Guide"

Adding trim to built-ins not only enhances their aesthetic appeal but also provides a polished, finished look to your space. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a professional contractor, this guide will walk you through the process, from selecting the right trim to applying it like a pro.

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Understanding Built-In Trim

Built-in trim refers to the decorative molding that adorns the edges and surfaces of built-in furniture like cabinets, shelves, or bookcases. It serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. Functionally, it hides gaps and imperfections, while aesthetically, it adds depth, texture, and style to your space.

Choosing the Right Trim

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Before you start, you need to select the right trim for your built-ins. The type of trim you choose depends on the style of your home and the look you're aiming for. Here are a few options:

Crown Molding: Often used for ceilings, crown molding can also add a touch of elegance to built-ins.
Baseboard Trim: Similar to crown molding, baseboard trim can be used to finish the edges of built-in cabinets or shelves.
Picture Frame Trim: This style is often used to frame the front of cabinets or shelves, creating a raised, shadow-box effect.

380K views · 7.5K reactions | DIY Living Room Built Ins with fireplace Part 3 | By Designing | Welcome to part three my living room built ins. If you include the flooring and the fireplace build, this project has taken me just over a year to complete and I cannot wait for it to be done. Last time we left off, I had installed my cabinets and built four separate shelving units out of oak boards and I decided to stain my shelves to try to keep some natural wood on this project. I got the best looking thin plywood that I could find for the back of these shelves. I didn't want super thick plywood because then my shelves would stick out too far. I started attaching all my backs and realized very quickly that I was just building a playground attached. I also primed and painted all of these back pieces before attaching them so I wouldn't have to tape off my stained shelves to paint them later. After going through far more paint samples than I want to admit or that I ever want to see again, I finally decided on a color and went ahead and started priming and painting all of my cabinets. I usually like to prime by hand because primer can really clog up your paint sprayer and let's be honest, I just don't have my life together enough to clean my sprayer fast enough for it to not get clogged. So, I used a brush for the edges and then a foam roller for all the flat pieces to prime the cab and then I use my paint sprayer to spray the actual paint on the fronts and the backs. I attached all my shelves into the studs and the walls and now it was time to add some trim to make up for all of those uneven walls and maybe some mistakes. The one side of these shelves is exposed into the dining room so I decided to add a little bit of his shaker style trim around that side to give it a little bit more character instead of just a plain wall. Since no wall is ever straight, I had to use a level on every single one of these trim pieces to make sure that my trim was actually straight and not lining up against the wall and we'll fix that with the caulk later. Filling nail holes and caulking really isn't that bad but I was sick at the end of this project so this is probably my least favorite part of this entire process. This part and the rest of the painting really only took a couple days but since I was sick, it felt like an eternity. Now, before you come at me for painting this wood, I had to use a different type of wood on the trim pieces than I did for the shelves so if I stained them, they wouldn't match. I added battery-powered picture frame lights to the top of these units and then some gold handles to finish it all off. I am so happy to almost be done with this living room project. And I love how it turned out but I'm so ready to put my furniture back.

Pro Tip

When choosing trim, consider the scale of your built-ins. Larger pieces can handle more detailed or larger trim, while smaller pieces may look best with simpler, less ornate styles.

Tools You'll Need

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Before you start, gather your tools. You'll need:

Miter saw or miter box
Tape measure
Circular saw
Jigsaw
Brad nailer or finish nailer
Hammer and finish nails
Wood glue
Safety glasses

Step-by-Step: Adding Trim to Built-Ins

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Now that you have your tools and trim, it's time to get started. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Measure and Cut

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Measure the pieces where you'll be adding trim. Cut your trim pieces using a miter saw or miter box, ensuring you make 45-degree cuts for the corners. Remember to account for the thickness of the trim when measuring.

Apply Wood Glue

Apply wood glue to the back of the trim and to the surface where it will be attached. This will help ensure a strong bond.

Attach the Trim

Using a brad nailer or finish nailer, attach the trim to the built-in. If you don't have a nailer, you can use a hammer and finish nails. Make sure to keep your nails below the surface of the trim so you can fill and sand them later.

Fill and Sand

Once the trim is attached, use wood filler to fill any nail holes or gaps. Allow the filler to dry, then sand it smooth. Lightly sand the entire trim piece to prepare it for painting.

Paint or Stain

Finally, paint or stain your trim to match the rest of your built-ins. Allow the paint or stain to dry completely before touching or using the built-in.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Adding trim to built-ins can be a rewarding project, but it's not without its challenges. Here are a few common mistakes to avoid:

Mistake	Solution
Not accounting for the thickness of the trim when measuring	Always measure and cut with the thickness of the trim in mind.
Using too much wood glue	Less is more when it comes to wood glue. Too much can cause the trim to slide around.
Not painting or staining the trim before attaching it	It's much easier to paint or stain the trim before it's attached. Once it's attached, it can be difficult to reach all the nooks and crannies.

Adding trim to built-ins is a project that can greatly enhance the look of your space. With the right trim and a little bit of know-how, you can achieve professional-looking results. So, don't be afraid to get started on your next DIY project!