Architectural Elements
26 architectural elements terms used in interior design, each with a clear definition and how to use it.
Archway
An archway is a curved opening (or curved-topped opening) between rooms or within walls, used both structurally and decoratively, with shapes ranging from gentle curves to dramatic horseshoe arches to Moorish keyholes. One of the most defining elements of the current "modern Mediterranean" interior moment.
Baseboard (skirting board)
A baseboard (also called skirting board in British English) is a strip of trim that runs along the bottom of an interior wall, where the wall meets the floor. Originally functional, protecting walls from foot traffic, furniture, and mops, baseboards have become important visual and architectural elements that frame rooms, hide gaps between wall and floor, and signal the style of the home.
Bay window
A bay window is a window assembly that projects outward from the exterior wall of a building, creating an extension of interior space. Typically composed of three windows (a flat center pane with angled side panes), bay windows have been continuously used in English and American residential architecture for centuries, adding light, view, interior space, and character to rooms.
Beadboard
Beadboard is a style of wood wall paneling made of narrow vertical planks separated by small rounded grooves ("beads") at each joint, producing a textured, slightly old-fashioned wall treatment. Commonly used as wainscoting, ceiling paneling, and cabinet detail in cottage, farmhouse, coastal and traditional interiors.
Board and batten
Board and batten is a wall paneling style consisting of wide flat boards (or drywall) separated by thin vertical strips (battens), creating a geometric, slightly farmhouse-leaning wall treatment that's become one of the most popular wainscoting types of the last decade.
Casement window
A casement window is a window that hinges on the side and swings open like a door, typically operated with a crank handle. Distinguished from double-hung windows (which slide vertically) and sliders (which slide horizontally), casements provide better seal, more ventilation, and an unobstructed view when open.
Coffered ceiling
A coffered ceiling is a ceiling treatment consisting of a grid of recessed panels (coffers), traditionally framed by decorative beams, creating depth, pattern and a sense of architectural grandeur.
Corbel
A corbel is a decorative or structural bracket that projects from a wall to support an architectural feature above it, a beam, shelf, mantel, balcony, or cornice. Corbels combine function with ornament, ranging from substantial structural stone corbels in medieval architecture to purely decorative wooden corbels supporting modern open shelves.
Cornice
A cornice is a decorative horizontal molding that runs along the top of a wall, the top of a building exterior, or the top of furniture, projecting outward to provide a finishing visual cap. In interior design, the term often refers to crown molding or the elaborate ceiling-line trim seen in traditional and classical architecture.
Crown molding
Crown molding is decorative trim installed at the joint where a wall meets the ceiling, used to finish the room visually and to make ceilings appear higher and walls appear taller.
Dentil molding
Dentil molding is a decorative architectural trim featuring a row of small square or rectangular tooth-like blocks ("dentils") evenly spaced along a horizontal band. Originating in classical Greek architecture, dentils appear in cornices, crown moldings, and decorative trim, signaling traditional, Federal, Greek Revival, and Colonial architectural styles.
Dormer
A dormer is a roofed structure that projects outward from a sloped roof, containing a vertical window that allows light into an attic, upper-floor room, or finished loft space. Originating in 15th-century French architecture, dormers add interior space and natural light to top-floor rooms and add architectural character to a home's exterior.
Exposed beam
Exposed beams are the structural ceiling members (typically wood) left visible rather than concealed within a finished ceiling, adding architectural character, vertical interest, and warmth to a room. Common in traditional, rustic, farmhouse, Mediterranean, industrial and Tudor styles, with both genuine structural and decorative versions widely available.
French door
A French door is a door consisting of multiple glass panes (lights) within a wooden or metal frame, typically installed as a pair that swing open from the middle, with both doors fully glazed top to bottom. Used as both interior and exterior doors to bring light through walls and to create dramatic transitional moments between spaces.
Mullion
A mullion is a vertical structural divider between window panes or door panels, historically load-bearing and stone, now often decorative metal or wood. Often confused with muntin (a smaller decorative grid bar) and meeting rail (horizontal divider in double-hung windows).
Niche
A niche is a recessed alcove in a wall, typically used to display a sculpture, decorative object, plant, or art piece. The form has been used continuously in Western architecture since antiquity and is one of the most-used contemporary architectural moves for adding character to flat walls.
Pediment
A pediment is a triangular gable used in classical architecture, originally the triangular section above the entablature of Greek and Roman temples. In residential design, pediments appear above doorways, windows, fireplaces, and built-ins, adding classical architectural detail and signaling traditional, Federal, Greek Revival, and Colonial styles.
Picture rail
A picture rail is a horizontal molding installed near the top of a wall (typically 12-18 inches below the ceiling) originally designed to hang pictures from without driving nails into plaster. Currently experiencing a revival as both a functional art-hanging system and an architectural detail.
Pilaster
A pilaster is a flat decorative column that projects slightly from a wall, providing the visual appearance of a column without the structural function. Used in classical, traditional, Federal, and Greek Revival architecture, pilasters frame doorways, fireplaces, and major architectural moments, and add classical detail without occupying floor space.
Pocket door
A pocket door is a door that slides horizontally into a hidden cavity (the "pocket") within the wall when open, saving the floor space that a swinging door would occupy. Used to maximize space in tight rooms, hide laundry rooms, and provide flexible separation between spaces.
Sash window (double-hung)
A sash window, most commonly seen as the "double-hung" configuration, is a window with one or two movable panels (sashes) that slide vertically up and down. Originating in 17th-century England, sash windows are the dominant window type in American residential architecture and have remained the standard window form for traditional, Colonial, Federal, and Victorian homes.
Shiplap
Shiplap is a style of wood cladding made of overlapping horizontal boards with rabbeted joints, originally used to weatherproof the exterior of ships and barns and now popular as an interior accent wall treatment.
Skylight
A skylight is a window installed in the roof or ceiling of a building, bringing natural light into spaces from above. Skylights range from small fixed glass openings to large operable units to whole-roof glazing systems, and they serve both aesthetic and functional purposes, adding dramatic light, reducing electricity costs, and creating connection to the sky.
Transom
A transom is a small window or opening installed above a door or another window, historically used to allow air circulation and natural light through walls when the main door is closed, and currently used both functionally and as an architectural detail.
Tray ceiling
A tray ceiling is an architectural feature where the center of the ceiling is recessed (lifted higher than the perimeter), creating a shape that resembles an inverted tray and adding vertical drama to a room.
Wainscoting
Wainscoting is decorative wood paneling installed on the lower portion of an interior wall, typically running from the floor to chair-rail height (32-36 inches), originally designed to protect walls and add architectural detail.