Quarter round (or shoe molding) is generally designed to match the baseboard. Because it is attached directly to the baseboard to cover expansion gaps, matching the trim creates a unified wall structure. However, matching the floor is an acceptable alternative, particularly with stained hardwood.
Quarter round (or shoe molding) should generally match the baseboard/trim (painted or stained) rather than the floor. Matching the trim creates a cleaner, more intentional "built-in" look that frames the room, whereas matching the floor can make the wall appear shorter. However, matching the floor is acceptable if using stained wood to match hardwood floors.
Minimalist and flat baseboards are currently the most popular. The contemporary design focus is on clean lines and subtle elegance rather than ornate millwork.
The 7% rule states that the height of your baseboards should be approximately 7% of the room's ceiling height. For example, if your ceiling height is 8 feet (96 inches), a baseboard height of approximately 6 to 7 inches will look harmonious.
Baseboards Should Complement, Not Match
In most cases, this creates a choppy look. Instead, baseboards should either: Match other trim in the home. Create clean contrast with the flooring.
Wooden flooring – a fresh take on natural beauty
The year 2026 marks a time when wood regains its true power. Naturalness becomes the central theme in interior design, and wood tones – particularly warm, honey-coloured shades – will reign supreme in modern spaces.
The "Rule of 3" in flooring is a design principle that recommends using no more than three distinct flooring materials or color variations throughout your entire home. Limiting your design to three elements creates visual cohesion, prevents a chopped-up layout, and ensures smooth, intentional transitions from room to room.
Baseboards do not have to be exactly the same throughout your house, though maintaining a consistent profile, height, and color across connected open spaces is highly recommended. You can safely vary baseboards based on room function, ceiling height, or historical accuracy, provided you do it deliberately.
Crown molding is not out of style; in fact, it is making a strong comeback. Designers are embracing elaborate trim work and architectural details to add depth, character, and a bespoke, "lived-in" feel to homes.
Most residential baseboards are between 3.25 and 5.25 inches tall, with 4.25 inches being a popular choice for standard 8-foot ceilings.
As we look toward 2026, one thing becomes clear: interior design is shifting toward spaces that feel meaningful, rooted, and deeply connected to the way we live. These trends highlight a collective desire for warmth, craftsmanship, and authenticity.
Best Materials for Modern Baseboards
A home typically looks outdated when it features overdone, time-stamped trends from specific past decades, such as honey oak cabinetry, popcorn ceilings, or generic word art. Outdated homes also often suffer from poor lighting, worn-out flooring, and heavy window treatments that block natural light.
The 2026 wood color trends center on rich, natural warmth and deliberate contrast. As stark, ashy, and gray tones fade out, design focuses on honey-colored oak, espresso, and deep walnut to create layered, highly textured spaces rather than perfectly matched finishes.
This is really a matter of preference. Traditionally speaking, the base shoe color should match the trim color, however, the choice is ultimately up to the homeowner. We suggest matching with your trim color to add contrast and emphasize the beautiful stain color of your hardwood floors.
Quarter round trim is not entirely outdated, but its bold, rounded profile leans toward traditional design. Many modern and minimalist homes now skip it entirely in favor of Shoe Moulding, which has a thinner, sleeker look.
Baseboard moulding is installed at the bottom of walls, where they meet the floor. While providing a finished look to a room, baseboard moulding can also be strategically used to visually enlarge the space. By opting for a taller baseboard moulding, you can give the impression of higher ceilings and more overall space.
We will walk you through some of the most common beginner mistakes when installing trim molding and how to avoid them so your next project goes smoothly.
The current trend for baseboards favors minimalist, clean, and seamless designs. The most popular styles are tall, flat-stock profiles with square or slightly eased edges, frequently painted the exact same color as the walls to elongate the room visually.
When Shouldn't You Use Crown Molding? Crown molding isn't advisable in any room with vaulted ceilings. Also called high ceilings, vaulted ceilings feature an arched design that creates more space above the room.
Countertops in 2026 are shifting away from sterile, cool grays toward warm, organic, and dramatic looks. The biggest trends prioritize inviting neutrals (creams, beiges, and taupes), sweeping natural veins, and bold, earth-toned statement stones.
Popcorn ceilings were once a popular design choice, especially in homes built between the 1950s and 1980s. However, many homeowners today choose to remove them. Here's why popcorn ceilings have fallen out of favor and why modern alternatives are preferred.
To make a home look expensive, rely on sophisticated neutrals, earthy greens, or muted blues rather than stark whites or highly saturated brights. High-end spaces feel cohesive and intentional, using layered tones, natural materials, and high-quality finishes to create a calm, custom feel.
Cool gray is being replaced by "mushroom" neutrals (warm taupes and greys with subtle green or violet undertones), warm earthy khakis, and soft, natural sages.
And many design experts consider white the perfect color for any trim, regardless of interior style or wall color. With dark walls, white trim lightens and brightens the room while making the wall color really "pop." And when walls are painted light or muted colors, white trim makes the color appear crisp and clean.