How to Achieve a Modern Design Aesthetic Using Modern Millwork Materials and Designs
By Brian Norton, Mans Lumber
Millwork has always played a critical role in defining the character of a home. From trim and moldings to doors and ceiling details, carefully designed millwork has the ability to elevate the aesthetic appeal of any space.
As we explored in detail recently
Here is what our designers are seeing in 2025, when working with homeowners to explore the latest millwork design trends shaping today’s homes:
Flat-Panel Doors: Sleek and Simple
One of the most noticeable shifts in millwork design is the move toward flat-panel or recessed-panel doors. The most popular choices include the Madison (a single-panel design) and the Monroe (a two-panel version). These doors offer a sleek, unembellished look that complements modern interiors.
Gone are the days of ornate raised panels and the classic six-panel door of yesteryear. Homeowners today tend to prefer a more straightforward aesthetic that aligns with those aforementioned contemporary design sensibilities.
Minimalist Trims and Moldings
Modern home design calls for a departure from the elaborate crown moldings and heavy trim work of the past. Instead, designers are opting for flat stock trim. This could be a three-inch-wide casing for doorways or a six- to eight-inch-high base molding.
Some homeowners enhance the look by adding a back band to the flat stock, which provides a subtle layering effect without straying from the clean lines that define modern interiors.
Statement Walls with Vertical Paneling
Another growing trend in millwork is the use of vertical slat walls to create attractive focal points throughout various “feature” areas of the home. These accent walls, often crafted from white oak with a light stain, provide a sense of texture and depth.
Popular locations for such accent features include stairway walls, office spaces, powder rooms, and even ceilings. As mentioned, white oak is the preferred material because of its versatility; it takes stain well and maintains a light, natural appearance that fits with most modern and contemporary design aesthetics. For those seeking a darker look, walnut is proving to be a popular alternative, providing a richer tone without overwhelming the overall space.
Staircases Rising in Popularity
Millwork extends beyond moldings, doors and walls to increasingly include staircases, where a cohesive design can enhance the home’s natural flow. A popular trend in 2025 is matching stair treads and handrails to flooring materials, often using white oak (again), stained to complement the surrounding space around it.
Iron balusters are often a preferred choice these days for stair railings or on landings, replacing the ornate twists and baskets of previous decades with simple square or round black metal designs. This combination creates a visually striking contrast, while maintaining that clean and contemporary look and feel.
Ceiling Details that Make an Impact
Ceilings are often overlooked by homeowners as an ideal opportunity to make bold design statements with millwork, but modern trends are changing that. Homeowners are incorporating slat wall designs on ceilings in great rooms or dens as well, adding both textural warmth and visual architectural interest to open spaces.
Additionally, instead of traditional crown molding, many designers are using flat stock trim along the top of the wall where it meets the ceiling. This technique creates a defined edge while preserving the modern simplicity that today’s homeowners tend to desire.
While not entirely new, exposed ceiling beams continue to surge in popularity, particularly in high-end home projects. Today, beams are commonly installed in great rooms, kitchens, primary bedrooms, and even foyers. Instead of elaborate coffered ceilings, though, homeowners are opting for two or three evenly spaced beams running in a single direction, typically made from white oak. A particularly striking design choice is to contrast painted trim with natural wood beams, adding detail and character to what might otherwise be a minimalist space.
The Evolution of Fireplace Mantels
Fireplaces remain a central gathering spot in many homes, of course, and their mantels are receiving a design update as well in the modern home. The traditional shelf-and-leg mantelpiece many of us grew up accustomed to is being replaced by streamlined “surrounds,” which extend seamlessly around the entire fireplace, around the sides and across the top (where traditional mantels would be mounted). This approach can serve to eliminate visual clutter, while reinforcing the clean and contemporary aesthetic throughout the rest of the home.
Chair Rails and Wainscoting with a Modern Twist
While traditional chair rails and wainscoting have taken a backseat in recent years, a modern version of this traditional application is gaining traction. Instead of intricate molding designs, many homeowners are opting for a simple one-by-four board as a chair rail, sometimes paired with slim pine lattice strips below it to create a subtle paneling effect. This streamlined approach retains the classic appeal of wainscoting, while adapting it for today’s more contemporary spaces.
The Future of Millwork Today: Timeless Simplicity
Overall, today’s millwork trends are all about simplicity, clean lines, and natural finishes. The shift away from ornate beveling and detailing doesn’t mean a lack of character, however — rather, it allows the natural beauty of materials like white oak and walnut to shine.
As trends continue to evolve, one thing is clear: timeless, well-crafted millwork will always have a place in great home design. Whether you’re building a new home or renovating an existing space, integrating these millwork trends can help you achieve a modern, sophisticated look that will stand the test of time.
