How to Add DIY Craftsman Trim Around a Window
January 27, 2026
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Two ways to add beautiful Craftsman molding around a window.
Adding molding to windows is such a great way to a TON of character to your home! In addition to beefy baseboards and door trim, chunky trim around windows adds a charming touch. I just love it.
In our first home, we had no window trim at all, so I added this Craftsman-style molding around most of our windows in that house. I'm sharing that tutorial here, and a simpler version as well.
First up, the simpler version that works if you already have casing around your windows, but want to beef it up a bit.
Before we start, here's a helpful diagram of this type of casing around a window:
You can see here how simple it is really...and if you're starting with existing trim it's even easier!
Tutorial #1: Adding to existing window trim.
I've been working on some updates in our mud/laundry room, and I figured I'd beef up the window trim in this room while I was at it:
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The beauty of this version of the tutorial is I only had to focus on the top and bottom of the window -- no need to remove the casing on the sides.
To remove the apron, make sure to score the caulk around the trim first -- then tap a flat painter's tool or a crow bar under the trim to start pulling it away from the wall:
You'll probably have some long nails still intact -- you can pull those out, or just do as I do and hammer them into the drywall:
Make sure they are fully pounded into the drywall and not popping up at all. You'll want to remove any residual caulk leftover as well.
I use a simple 1x4 primed piece of wood for the new apron:
That's it!
The topper of the window trim is made up of three pieces of trim -- thin lattice molding, a 1x2 and a 1x4:
Over the years I've also used a trim piece called "stop" for the bottom portion. Both work great, the lattice is just a bit cheaper.
I like to build and paint this portion off the wall -- it's just easier than of up on a ladder.
Since my window measures 35 inches across (with the vertical trim on each side), I cut the 1x4 at the same width (35 inches) and the other two at 35.5 inches so they are longer by a quarter inch on both sides.
This gives the window more dimension and interest, instead of all of the trim lining up perfectly. (You'll see this in photos below.)
A nail gun is very helpful for this project! Nail the 1x2 onto the top and the thin lattice to the bottom:
Once all of the pieces are secured, you can fill holes, caulk and paint before installing on the window.
I use a semi-gloss finish for all of my door and window trim paint.
Before installing the new topper, I had to remove the existing trim at the top of the window. To do this, I used a level to mark a straight line where I wanted to cut.
Then I used my oscillating tool to cut through the window trim while it was still on the wall:
Make sure to score the caulk around this portion before removing (just like the bottom apron):
When that part is removed from the wall, you can place the new topper right on top of the existing side casing around the window.
After everything is installed, I like to do a fresh bead of caulk around the window and where the new trim is installed. It will give you a more professional and finished look!
I find it easier to mark where I want the caulk with painter's tape -- this gives me a super clean line on the wall when I pull the tape away:
A reader sent me these awesome caulk applicator tools. They make caulking SO much easier, I love them!
They are called Turbo Caulk and save your fingers big time. And when you're done, they make a great "cap" for the caulk in between projects.
Here's how this simpler window trim looks when complete:
If you're starting from scratch and have no trim around your window at all, you'll want to use this next tutorial!
Tutorial #2: Adding Craftsman trim to windows with only drywall.
This method will give you the true, classic Craftsman window casing, since you're starting from scratch.
At our first house, I wasn't able to create this look because our window sills weren’t wide enough. Instead, I installed some very skinny trim around the window that would match up with the sill:
To do the trim I wanted to do I’d have to take the whole sill (or stool, as it’s technically called) off and that intimidated me. But then I saw Cristina’s tutorial -- I ended up following her instructions and they worked perfectly!
First up, I removed the apron underneath the sill:
We had a frigid winter one year and the window was iced up and when it melted into the wall. That area below the apron was a big bubble of water. 😖
If you don't score all the areas (with a razor) that are caulked, when you pull the trim off it will pull the paint/drywall away:
Just like the earlier tutorial, take a crow bar and start pulling up the wood.
The only issue I had was the ends of the sill started digging into the drywall as I pulled up:
When I worked on one end at a time (instead of trying to pull the whole thing up at once) it helped a bunch. I just focused on one side and got that up and clear of the drywall, then got the whole thing out.
When I worked on one end at a time (instead of trying to pull the whole thing up at once) it helped a bunch. I just focused on one side and got that up and clear of the drywall, then got the whole thing out.
Here’s what it looks like underneath:
After all that I took the skinny trim off the sides of the windows:
I kept that all for future projects. (I used it on all of the wainscoting in this room.)
Also, our window sills are deeper so I had to use 1x8 wood instead of the standard 1x5. I followed Cristina’s instructions and used the old sill as my guide to cut the new one.
The only thing you need to keep in mind is your trim that will be on the sides of the windows – mine was 3 1/2 inches and I wanted the stool to stick out a bit from that, so I traced the original onto the new wood, but gave myself four inches:
Here’s how it looks installed on the window:
I followed my traced lines with a jigsaw to cut it out. Don’t worry if the lines aren’t perfect!:
They will be mostly covered with the new casing on each side of the window.
Here’s how it looks installed on the window:
I followed my traced lines with a jigsaw to cut it out. Don’t worry if the lines aren’t perfect!:
They will be mostly covered with the new casing on each side of the window.
The parts that aren’t covered are easily fixed with caulk. (My BFF.):
I took my sander to the edges of the new sill because this pine has really sharp edges. I do this on all of the door trim I’ve installed too:
I just knock it down a little so it doesn't have such a hard corner, but it's not necessary.
After replacing the sill at the bottom, I installed the side casings and then I built up the top portion and installed it just as I did in the first tutorial.
Remember the 1x2 and stop on top and the new sill/stool on the bottom will be a bit wider than the other pieces.
Here's how this Craftsman molding treatment comes together on a window:
I couldn't BELIEVE how much better the room looks with the beefier trim around the windows:
Here’s a closer look at how chair rail, wainscoting and window trim work together:
I labeled the wood I used so you can pin this for later:
This simple trim work around your windows will take any room to the next level! It makes such a huge difference on windows and doors.
If you have any questions about either tutorial, please let me know in the comments!
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Love the way you work. The trim is beautiful and your skills are clean and precise. You are so thrifty that you must have gotten a good deal on those roll up blinds in the windows. Can you tell me where you purchased those blinds from? Love the look. Thanks. Mary D.
ReplyDeleteThis looks SO amazing!! Such a drastic change in the room. Love!
ReplyDeleteIt looks awesome! I am realizing we don't have any trim on our windows on the main level....but no time for that. We did pull out all the door trim in our upstairs hall and replace with a similar look. The old was beat up and wimpy and ddn't flow with the new board and batten. Brillint last minute (let's make the project take longer) idea on my husbands art. Love this and I am savng it for our garage/mudroom build. No builder grade trim thank you--save me the money!
ReplyDeleteFantastic! We (well, my hubs) are about to do some beefing up in our master bedroom. You have done a great job here! My contractor hubby would be very impressed!
ReplyDeleteSwoon!! I fell in luv with you bulkier base boards... how you have me going all over again. Just beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Gee
It looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, it's gorgeous!! Beautiful trim makes me weak in the knees and is one of my favorite elements when I'm house stalking. ;-) I can't believe what a dramatic difference it makes. And yes, don't you love living in the bipolar Midwest - shorts one day, winter coats the next!
ReplyDeleteYou're a girl after my own heart! I love moldings, perhaps just as much as you do. The windows look awesome! Thanks tons for the shout out Sarah! :)
ReplyDeleteWow! What an impact for such a subtle change - it looks wonderful. I couldn't put the curtains back up either. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI really love it on your tall wall. It looks more the size it should be. I am always looking forward to your projects because you make them seem so doable. Great job!
ReplyDeleteWhat a difffernce! Looks amazing! Can you estimate what you spent on this?
ReplyDeleteThat looks incredible! You break down the instructions and make it seem so doable. Thanks for sharing once again. Nicole
ReplyDeleteWow!!! I am so impressed with your work, I am too chicken to do anything like that. You make it look so easy, it sure cam out beautiful
ReplyDeleteWhat a huge difference! It looks fantastic!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree, beefy trim looks amazing! GREAT job!
ReplyDeleteIt makes such a huge difference, doesn't it? Nice work, it's gorgeous.
ReplyDeletebeautiful! did you also put trim on the inside of the window or is that drywall that is painted the same color as the trim? if so, any advice on on that, as far as how close it should be to the window, size of boards, etc.
ReplyDeleteGorg!! Want to come do my windows? :)
ReplyDeleteYour previous story about "HOME" really touched me and today, looking at how beautifully you did your windows is so inspirational !! Thank you for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteTurning into a FAN !!
Naush
Dubai
A million times better!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it!! I wish I were as brave as you to do projects around my house!!
ReplyDeleteThat looks amazing! You are so good, I would be so intimidated. You have empowered me to start using some power tools though, I will start small like maybe a nail gun and miter saw. Great job! It looks so nice.
ReplyDeleteTammy @ thecoloreddoor.blogspot.com
It looks wonderful, like it should have always been that way. Nice job and thanks for the thorough description.
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference! That look beautiful! Now it makes me want to redo all the windows in my home.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
I'm impressed. DIY is definitely not my calling. Looks great!
ReplyDeletewww.designsbykaty.com
I love it! What a difference! I live in a craftsman home and have beefy trim on all 60 some windows. (They're small windows and I need light :) Anyway, I only have drapes on a few windows because my husband can't stand the thought of me covering up that beautiful trim :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing difference! I admire your skill and DIY perseverance! If I had the nerve I would do something similar. My house was built in the late 1800's. After a fire several years ago, the plaster was ruined by water so all the walls in the house were replaced with dry wall. The guy that did the work put up standard window and wall trim. It would look so fantastic to have the big, wide trim with the "bull's eye" corner brackets as (I am sure) the house did when it was built. As I work both full time outside the home and part time at home, this isn't going to happen. If only my sons had become carpenters instead of teachers!!
ReplyDeleteThe windows with the new trim look beautiful. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThat makes SUCH a difference! Looks so great!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE...I have beefy trim in most of my windows but I still need to do the two in my dining and living. I have replaced several of my window sills with cultured marble...the stuff they use on vanities. It is awesome, especially if you have "sweaty" windows or forget to close them when it rains (not me, a friend!) http://beckwithstreasures.com/journal/2013/3/15/window-sills
ReplyDeleteSuper easy project and you install it the same as wood...I probably spent about $25 a piece for them but soooo worth it! Regardless, love your new window treatments!!!
Chica...you knocked that trim out of the FLIPPIN BALLPARK!
ReplyDeletegirrrrrrrrl, that looks SO good! I have a wall of naked windows i've been dying to do that on. Hey, I have an idea...since you're so good at it now, head south and let's work together ;)
ReplyDeleteLooks so substantial!
ReplyDeleteomg that looks amazing .. what a difference!
ReplyDeleteWill you marry me? LOL.
ReplyDeleteWhen you said "Craftsman" I thought of our house, and our last house, both of which have been Craftsman homes, and both of which have had much more primitive trim. I'm talking 4 pieces of wide wood, no fancy corners. No "fillet," no cap. I am so impressed. I would've been so scared....
This looks great! The difference is remarkable.
ReplyDeleteChrissy
Love the difference! I'd pass on doing the upper windows, too, without some type of rigging!
ReplyDeleteWow, looks so professionally made! Great job you guys!
ReplyDeleteYou did an awesome job! I don't blame you for feeling a bit intimidated at first. I know I would have. Great pictures too!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joanne
They look amazing!!! Great job! Just think of how good it will feel when all of your windows are finished!
ReplyDeleteThis looks awesome! Our windows don't have any trim (why do houses not have trim anymore??) and I have wanted to do this for so long but was worried about taking the sill off. This makes me think I could do it!! Now to talk my husband into spending the money on wood. BTW, we don't have any saws in our house. What type of saw would you recommend that would be most useful in most home reno? (My hubby wants a saw but doesn't know what type would be most useful and I want to surprise him for Father's day.)
ReplyDeleteWow!!!! What a difference. Love to read your blog and see what projects you are working on... makes me want to rip apart my house and get some new projects cooking too! ;)
ReplyDeleteWow! What a difference some wood makes. What kind of wood flooring do you have? It is beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteYou ARE my hero!! Your "project" turned out wonderfully...what a difference!! I painted mullions recently taking down ALL the window treatments...we are on a hill and quite "private"...I like them off...for now anyway. Fantastic job! franki
ReplyDelete