For finishing new windows or freshening the old, window trim gives a polished look with less effort than you may think

Whether I’m flipping through a magazine or watching the latest home show on TV, I’m always drawn to a house’s trim. I love how the use of different architectural trim elements can completely change the feel of the entire house. Sometimes that can be good, and sometimes it can be utterly awful.

When we replaced our outdated and wallet-busting single-pane aluminum windows with energy-efficient double-pane vinyl windows in our kitchen nook, I began dreaming of adorning the windows with beautiful trim. I was excited for the end result, but since I’m always so focused on trim in other people’s homes, I was completely terrified about actually choosing the trim and putting it in place in my own home.