Categories: Decorating & Design

Decorating Techniques for Wooden Cornices

Cornices are a beautiful way to make windows look larger and more regal. Nowadays cornices are generally made from lightweight materials, like styrene, but in days gone by, the cornices were made from heavy wood, then painted before being hung above the window.

As with any painted object there comes a day when the paint has faded, chipped or just needs a new color. When it comes to cornices, there are lots of new and unique ways to decorate without painting. But, if you want to paint, there’s plenty of bold designs that can be done to add a striking and unique look to windows. Try stickers or cutouts, and place them on random spots of the cornices. Paint as usual then remove the stickers to show the color underneath, in the shape of the sticker or cutout.

Masking tape makes it easy to do all types of designs on the cornice. Make vertical stripes, horizontal stripes, or even small squares. Just arrange the tape, paint, and remove the tape. Even wide tape can be used to make a simple wide border across the top or bottom of the cornice. Decoupage greeting card fronts across the front of the cornices for a look of tile inserts. Choose a theme, like nautical, then use four or five cards across the front of the cornice. The look is striking and makes the cornice look ultra expensive.

Forego the painting and opt for a different technique of decorating the cornices. Cover them in fabric, wallpaper, or even shelf paper. Staple guns make the task easy. Use padding if you’re installing fabric. For wallpaper or shelf paper, use staples around the edges to keep from having the paper raise up or peel.

Stamps are all the rage for scrapbooks but they’re also handy for decorating things like cornices. Dip the stamps in ink or paint, then stamp the design onto the cornice. Be very bold and actually glue the stamps to the cornice. Stamps come in designs like butterflies, flowers, animals, rainbows, tepees, and more. They’re usually made from cork or rubber and can easily be glued to the corners of the cornices.

Give the cornice an antique look by tearing masking tape into tiny pieces then placing the bits all over the cornice. Now paint the cornice with a light stain to give the cornice a crackled paint look that’s unusual yet gorgeous.

Paint pens make it easy to use stencils to paint designs onto the cornice. The pens are also great for making stripes, curly-q’s and other hand designs. The pens come in marvelous colors like gold or silver metallic, pastel pearl designs, or bold slick colors of red, black or blue.

Rub-on appliques now come in styles from tiny flowers to gigantic murals. You’ll find the appliques online or in some home improvement stores. Simply position the design onto the cornice and use a popsicle stick to transfer the design from the sheet to the cornice. The appliques look to be hand-painted but are washable.

Wooden cornices were originally quite expensive and now, they’re even more expensive – if you can find the wooden ones at all. If you’re tired of the look your cornices give the room, try one of these decorating techniques for an impressive change.