Add Instant Charm To A Boring Window With This Beginner-Friendly DIY Trim Hack

Windows are an important feature in any home. They let in natural light, enhance your view of the surrounding property, play a crucial role in privacy, and change the look of every room they appear in. One element that drastically changes the aesthetics of this architectural feature is the trim. Skipping molding can be a deliberate minimalist choice, but it may also come down to cost. If you find yourself lacking this feature and you want to give plain glass panes a glow-up, there's a simple DIY window treatment that adds quick value to your home. Trim can even be an important aesthetic detail during a home sale, making it even more alluring to install if yours is missing.

This project is straightforward but does require a little woodworking. The trick is adding four outlining planks of wood to the exterior border of the opening, with an additional one installed horizontally for the ledge. This sounds complicated, but it's as easy as cutting notches into a 1x6 so it fits into the pane and nailing the other boards on flat around the window. There are plenty of trim types that will improve the appearance of any room, but this one is as basic as they come, and totally customizable. If you want to add instant charm to an otherwise ordinary space, this is a great place to start.

To start, gather four 1x4 planks, a 1x6 plank, a nail gun (or hammer and nails), a saw, and an adhesive caulking like this White Lightning All-Purpose Adhesive from Amazon. Home Depot carries hardwood boards such as Weaber oak in various lengths, and you can ask a team member to cut it for you in-store. You may also want to invest in a level, some protective eyewear, and a measuring tape. If you're not one for woodworking DIYs, you can fake the look with a foam trim like WAPANE Peel-and-Stick Foam Molding. Once you've gathered your materials, you can begin the window transformation.

Measure the 1x4s being mounted on either side of the window and cut them to the height of the frame. Cut the other three boards with an extra four inches to accommodate the side planks. The 1x6 sits inside the frame as a ledge. Cut a notch on either end so the board slides in flush, then mount the pieces using a nail gun or hammer and nails. Seal the base of the ledge to the window with caulk. Using the same method, you can also DIY farmhouse window trim to give your home a chic instant upgrade by layering boards at the top to give the look of a molded trim usually achieved with a miter saw. Stain or paint your fancy new border, and it can change the look of the entire room.