Knotty Pine Window Casing Ideas

Gloss and Glaze

• Place a few coats of clear gloss or glaze over your knotty pine window casings. A coat of gloss or glaze doesn't add color but adds sheen to the wood. This approach works well if you want to keep as much of the knotty pine visible as possible. Having the wood visible is ideal in a rustic retreat such as a cottage, cabin or lodge.

Keep It Rustic

• Keep things totally rustic by leaving the window casing plain, without the addition of paint or glaze, but ensure you give the pine a thorough sanding. Your goal is to have a rustic looking piece of wood that also feels smooth to the touch and is safe from splintering.

Whitewashed Charm

• Whitewash your window casings for a look full of cottage charm; this look is accomplished through applying several coats of a whitewash tone stain to the casing. Apply just enough coats to give it a rugged look but not enough coats that the stain starts to take on the look of solid white.

Dark Stain

• A dark stain in shades of espresso provides a contemporary look; cherry offers a traditional look. This is a formal, elegant trim, achieved with several coats of stain. A few coats of stain will work, too, but through time will take on a distressed look. Distressed is more antique and shabby-chic than a solid color casing.