Baseboard and door trim are the background notes of an apartment's architectural character. When they're right, you don't notice them. When they're wrong — too thin, too simple, damaged, or inconsistent with the rest of the apartment's character — you feel it without knowing exactly why the space feels incomplete. Upgrading them is one of the most cost-effective renovations available in NYC apartments.
Standard NYC Apartment Baseboard Problems
Post-war apartment buildings (1945 to 1985) were built with minimal, utilitarian trim — thin, flat colonial baseboard that had no relationship to the scale of the rooms. Pre-war apartments have original elaborate baseboard profiles that are frequently damaged or replaced with mismatched modern profiles during previous renovations. Both situations benefit from trim attention.
Baseboard Profile Options
Colonial (standard): Flat face with simple profile. 2.5 to 3.5 inches. The default in most NYC apartments. Functional but has little architectural presence.
Traditional: Built-up profile with base cap and base shoe. 4 to 5 inches. Significantly more presence; appropriate for pre-war apartments and rooms with crown molding.
Contemporary: Tall, flat-faced boards (4 to 6 inches) without decorative profile. Clean, modern, and effective in contemporary apartments and those with minimal design direction.
Historical reproduction: Matched to original pre-war profiles that are damaged or inconsistent throughout the apartment. Requires careful measurement and custom or semi-custom molding sourcing.
Door and Window Trim
Door casings — the molding surrounding the door frame — should match the baseboard profile in material and style. In pre-war apartments, original casings with backband and base block at the floor are the appropriate treatment. In contemporary apartments, a clean, flat casing with minimal profile creates the right modern character.
Cost of Trim Upgrades in NYC
- Baseboard only (full apartment): $8 to $16 per linear foot installed
- Door casings (per door, both sides): $180 to $380 per opening
- Window trim (per window): $200 to $420