Dress up an edge, conceal end grain or plywood edges, or add detail to a base or top with any number of trim, molding, and edging techniques ranging from simple to sophisticated.

The Basics:
• A proliferation of profiles: From chamfers to ogees to ovolos, there are many profile designs to choose from.
• Conquer crown molding: Say the term and most people will cringe, but a few tricks make cutting crown molding easy.
• Master the miter: A majority of molding and trim installations require joining inside and outside corners with a miter.

A proliferation of profiles
Trim and decorative edging is used in a wide range of furniture styles, and as a result, scores of profiles have been developed for various implementations, from shelf edges to tabletops. Historical examples are a good place to look when choosing an edge profile, as many of these designs have been thought out and tested. Originally these were formed with hand tools and special modeling planes. Modern methods involve a router or shaper.

Conquer crown molding
Mention the term “crown molding,” and many novice woodworkers will cringe. Typically associated with home building, crown molding is also used in furniture construction to decorate the top of a case piece. Crown molding attached to the top of a case piece, known as a cornice, can add visual balance to a tall slender design.

Master the miter
Most molding and trim installations require joining inside and outside corners with a miter. This joint conceals end grain, and it calls for a systematic approach to cutting and attaching to a furniture piece. When installing perimeter trim or molding, you typically start with the most prominent section and work your way around cutting and fitting as you go. Miters can be fine-tuned by machine with a tablesaw or miter saw, or by hand with a miter box and shooting board.

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