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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.