Decorative Timber Mouldings Interior Design Trends for 2026

Strathfield modern living room with Intrim SK557 skirting

Australian homes are showcasing and celebrating decorative mouldings like never before.

In 2026, designers and homeowners are continuing to embrace the character and craftsmanship that define luxury interiors. Whether renovating a Federation terrace or building a modern coastal retreat, Aussies are choosing homes with warmth, personality, and lasting appeal.

In this guide, we explore some of the biggest 2026 interior design trends in Australia for mouldings, styles, colours, finishes, and new features.

1. Timeless Types

2026 is expected to bring a blend of timeless and contemporary Australian timber mouldings:

Mouldings

• Decorative mouldings: Heritage-inspired styles—think Victorian timber mouldings, Georgian mouldings, and French Provincial mouldings such as chair rails, wainscoting, and picture rails—are being embraced for the depth and detail they bring to interiors.
• Modern mouldings: Clean, pared-back shapes remain a favourite in contemporary homes, complementing minimalist architecture.
• Curved mouldings: Curved timber mouldings remain popular for helping to soften sharp architectural lines.

Skirting

• Shadowline skirting: The recessed, flush finish shadowline skirting aesthetic remains a go-to for luxury modern interiors..
• Tall skirting: Tall, statement skirting boards are popular in homes with generous ceiling heights, helping create a more dramatic feel.
• Curved skirting boards: Skirting that can be used on curved walls is gaining attention for softening transitions and adding a sculptural touch.

Architraves

• Timber architraves: Natural timber trends like American Oak are emerging, valued for their warmth, grain and character.
• Curved architraves: Still widely used in classic interiors as an effective and timeless way to frame arched windows and doorways. Curved architraves are a refined way to introduce gentle movement and elegance to doorways and wall transitions.

Oatlands House | Katherine Saab | JJB Photography

Panelling

• Wainscoting: Traditional wainscoting is being reimagined with updated colours and finishes to suit both old and new builds.
• Feature panelling: Statement ceiling & wall panelling using vertical, horizontal or geometric lines is a unique way to add depth and character—whether painted boldly or kept in natural wood tones.

Hilton Residential | Ainslie.Co Photography

2. Classic Meets Contemporary Styles

Interior styles will continue to blend classic influences with modern simplicity. Here are the looks shaping new moulding choices:

• Heritage: Mouldings with generous detail and classic character. Ornate skirting, architraves and traditional picture rails help reinforce the period feel.
• Modern contemporary: A modern contemporary interior design is characterised by sleek, clean lines and understated detailing. Narrow profiles and uncluttered panels create a streamlined feel that is popular in modern interiors.
• Neoclassic: A new take on traditional luxury—pairing classic silhouettes with contemporary finishes and subtle detailing.
• Scandinavian: Light, clean and cosy Scandinavian coastal interior design styles still resonate. Japandi, in particular (Scandi softened with Japanese minimalism) is gaining momentum.
• Farmhouse: With its rustic charm, the modern farmhouse interior design aesthetic remains a strong favourite, especially for homes with pitched ceilings or exposed rooflines. Tall, simple skirtings, natural timber trims, and exposed elements such as lining boards and structural beams all support this look.
• Coastal: Combine elegance with a relaxed coastal feel. Vertical VJ-style lining boards and soft-profiled skirting complement this fresh, airy style.

Hilton Residential | Ainslie.Co Photography

3. Monochromatic & High-Contrast Colours

In 2026, moulding colour palettes will do more than just frame a room. They’ll help define its mood and visual impact:

• Colour-drenching: Painting mouldings monochromatic to match the wall creates a seamless finish. Colour-capping takes the ceiling colour down to the picture rail, elongating the walls and giving the appearance of height.
• High-contrast trims: Pairing dark mouldings with pale walls offers an easy way to add definition. Deep browns and greens against natural white walls are particularly striking in heritage homes and formal dining rooms.
• Bold colour accents: Detailed architraves and inlay mouldings are becoming canvases for colour-blocking and features, with tones like muted pastels or warm brights adding contemporary energy.
• Earthy tones: Rich and neutral hues like terracotta, caramel, olive and similar shades will continue to dominate as homes shift toward warmer, more comforting schemes.

All Intrim decorative moulding profiles are available with a primed finish, providing superior paint adhesion. This saves time on-site and ensures a smooth and professional finish.

Build: Manteena | Architect: Architects Ring & Associates | Interior Design: Dept of Design | Photography: Adam McGrath

4. Sustainable, Mixed Materials

Australian designers are increasingly valuing provenance and sustainability.

• Natural and sustainable: Eco-conscious design is fuelling demand for FSC-certified and sustainable timber mouldings and reclaimed wood, highlighting craftsmanship and responsible sourcing.
• Mixed materials: Blending textures and finishes is becoming more common, like mixing matte surfaces with natural timbers, or incorporating wood detailing into lighting fixtures such as sconces or pendants.

Intrim uses only responsibly sourced pine and our FJ pine is FSC certified.

Interior Design: Kate Nixon | Build: iBuild | Styling: Kate Nixon & Nicholas Bryan-Brown | Photography: Maree Homer

5. Intricate & Integrated Features

Architectural details are becoming more expressive, functional and part of our everyday living spaces.

• Intricate profiles: There’s renewed interest in detailed, multi-layered profiles that bring back a sense of sophistication.
• Picture-frame moulding: Still a favourite for creating a tailored look, now also used in functional spaces like bathrooms.
• Integrated features: Mouldings are increasingly being used as part of custom joinery such as framing recessed shelves, display nooks and even replacing traditional kickboards in the kitchen.
• Layered lighting: Combining mouldings or wall panels with concealed or strategically placed lighting or sconces adds depth and ambience.
• Bathroom wainscoting: Incorporating wainscoting in bathrooms, ensuites and powder rooms as a break away from floor-to-ceiling tiling is on the rise, offering warmth and texture.
• Wallpaper inlays: Wallpaper inside wood panels such as inlay moulds create tailored and unique feature moments.

Hilton Residential | Ainslie.Co Photography

How to Choose the Right Timber Moulding Profiles for Your 2026 Project

Once you have your favourite colours, materials, and features, choosing the best moulding profiles for your home comes down to two final factors:

By Style

• Choose a style: Pick an era or look that tells a cohesive story throughout your home.
• Ensure each room flows: Your choices should flow naturally from front to back, from one space to the next, by keeping moulding styles consistent.
• Let your exterior guide your interior: For example, a traditional Hamptons façade pairs best with classic Hamptons-style mouldings carried through the entire home.

By Ceiling Height

• Standard (2.4–2.7m): Choose proportionate, medium-height skirting around 135mm – 185m high, and modest 90mm architraves..
• High (2.7–3m): Larger, more detailed profiles work well and feel visually balanced. We recommend a skirting height of 230mm high, paired with 115mm architraves.
• Very high (3m+): Make a statement with tall 285mm high skirting, 115mm architraves, and layered mouldings and decorative rails.

Get Decorative Mouldings from Intrim

Decorative timber moulding profiles are a popular choice for designers and homeowners seeking unique interiors that reflect their personal style.

Work with Intrim to choose the perfect decorative mouldings for your 2026 interior design vision. We have a wide range to choose from – everything from classic to modern, and minimalist profiles – as well as an in-stock selection of our most popular styles ready for dispatch.

Not sure which style or size mouldings will suit your project? Book a free design consultation today.