16 Crown Molding Ideas That Add Character and Charm

White living room — Photo:
Meredith Corporation

Crown molding ideas can add character to just about any space. Whether it's a bedroom, living room, or study, any room with this architectural flourish will feel special. If you're planning a room refresh, crown molding is something to consider. But before you get started, know that there are many varieties and styles of crown molding. For example, traditional crown molding is a timeless look with classic lines, while dentil molding adds Neoclassical detailing that evokes Greek or Italian style. Cove molding is a softer, curved option. Molding can be made of high-end plaster or wood, or budget-friendly MDF or PVC, so there's an option for every home.

We're sharing our favorite crown molding ideas to help you narrow down the choices. These are the best kinds of crown molding for tall or low ceilings and modern or traditional design. No matter your style, the right crown molding installation can deliver an undeniable richness and charm.

01 of 16

Make a Statement Wall Pop

Living room with green focal point — Jay Wilde

When creating a focal wall, there are two options for the molding color or finish: You can keep it consistent throughout the space or change it into the statement area for a bold detail. If you're painting an accent wall, consider using the paint color on the crown molding to create an elegant look. For statement walls with a different material, such as stone or brick, consider skipping the crown molding altogether, as it could clash with the textured treatment.

02 of 16

Use Crown Molding with Built-Ins

One of the draws of crown molding ideas is that they can quickly elevate a space, thanks to their custom look. The same can be said for built-ins, so combining the two is a carpentry match made in heaven. Be sure to paint both the molding and the built-ins in the same hue so they look like furniture. In this space, the paint color continues on the ceiling, enhancing the room's openness and drawing the eye up.

03 of 16

Continue the Color Throughout

Green traditional living room — Max Kim-Bee

Taking a paint color scheme across the entire room (from built-ins to the windows and even the mantel) can create a cozy and enveloping ambiance. Including the crown molding in the paint job will only further the overall effect. The saturated green in this living room is repeated on the upholstered furniture, enhancing the monochromatic color scheme and making the stone fireplace the focal point.

04 of 16

Make Your Molding Modern

Sometimes, crown molding gets a bad rap for being overly ornate and traditional, but with a bit of editing, it can easily take on a modern aesthetic. Cleaner, smoother varieties will add a more contemporary twist while still creating the custom look crown molding is known for. This simple crown molding idea, with a curved profile, echoes the arches on the walls, the arms of the sofa, the coffee table, and the swivel chair, enhancing the welcoming atmosphere in the space.

05 of 16

Consider the Cornices

Living room with black walls — Annie Schlechter

When your moldings are interrupted by windows, they can easily become statement-making details. Window cornices fashioned in the same style as the rest of the molding create a stunning presentation ideal for your home’s most dramatic spaces. Using curtains in the same dark hue as the walls increases the impact of the moody color, which is kept from becoming oppressive by the light streaming in through big windows, bright upholstery, and tall ceilings.

06 of 16

Choose an Accent Shade

Small kitchen with wood panel ceiling — John Bessler

When working with various finishes, paint colors, and tones, a clever crown molding idea is to paint it in an accent shade—particularly one found in other small details throughout the space—which can highlight the millwork and draw together the entire scheme. The dark paint on the molding in this space picks up hues found in the granite countertop and on the floor and connects to the knotty pine ceiling. This small kitchen combines many colors successfully due to the balance of dark and light and the neutral palette.

07 of 16

Keep the Molding Understated

Sometimes, other elements within a room will dictate a more subdued approach with the crown moldings. Here, a shelf displaying a collection of white serving pieces sits atop window trim and demands its own moment. Using smaller and simpler crown molding keeps the look cohesive without adding any distractions.

08 of 16

Create Delineation

cottage farmhouse living room — Jay Wilde

When creating separation between two spaces, particularly within an open floor plan, consider using crown molding to create zones. It can easily make one large space feel like two distinct rooms. This method of visual separation leaves an open and airy feel without any added barriers within the space's flow. Although these two areas are similar in style, the minimal walls on either side and crown molding detailing add a natural break.

09 of 16

Match the Wall Color

Ensuring the space doesn't feel too top-heavy can be a concern with some crown molding ideas. In spaces with an abundance of millwork already, this can be a significant factor to keep in mind—but that doesn't mean you need to skip it altogether. Try a molding that sits flush and won't weigh things down but still contributes to the overall effect. Keeping the molding the same color as the walls will also help with this goal.

10 of 16

Be Creative with Crown Molding Ideas

Crown molding plays particularly well with high ceilings, adding an air of luxury to a space. It can deliver a loftiness and mitigate the stark feeling that sometimes comes with extra-tall walls. When using ornate molding, consider how you can keep the rest of the decor in check. This highly stylized molding is kept low-key by using a similar paint color to what's on the walls and keeping the wall decor to a minimum with a simple piece that lets the scrolled design of the crown molding command attention.

11 of 16

Commit to a Bold Hue

When making a statement with a highly saturated color like deep, inky blue, take it from the walls to the molding to the ceiling. This works particularly well in smaller spaces with architectural details on the walls, such as intricate moldings and paneling. The right crown molding idea will tie the ceiling panels and the more ornate wall panels together, providing a subtle frame thanks to the monochromatic color scheme.

12 of 16

Change Your Orientation

Crown molding is typically an element that bridges the upper portion of walls to the ceiling, but it's not just a way to frame what's overhead. Consider using flat wood panels to highlight a vaulted ceiling to lend a modern feel to a space, which in this design are continued on the built-ins flanking the fireplace. Make sure the ceiling height is tall enough to accomplish the desired effect without making the room feel weighted down by the detail.

13 of 16

Include Architectural Detailing

Crown molding can blend in with the surroundings—and that might be the objective in certain spaces. But when you want to give it a special little nod with an air of subtlety, a simple variation in color or painted architectural detail within the molding can give it just enough interest to draw the eye. A thin line of darker paint at the bottom of the molding makes it stand out just enough to create an element of surprise.

14 of 16

Don’t Skip Hardworking Spaces

Even utilitarian spaces like laundry rooms or mudrooms can benefit from crown molding. Particularly when used to connect cabinetry to the ceiling, crown molding can deliver a more custom feel without a custom price tag. Keeping the molding on just the cabinetry enhances the details, including the paneling that lines the walls. Paint all of the details the same color to make it look higher-end.

15 of 16

Match Crown Molding Ideas to the Ceiling

Crown molding typically mirrors the walls, sticking with their color or aesthetic. But for a statement encouraging people to look up, take design influence from the ceiling instead. In an entry, a light wood grain ceiling warms and grounds the room and ties into the stone wall just beyond. Utilizing the same ceiling material for crown molding creates a finished look that draws the eye to the dynamic details above.

16 of 16

Highlight Wood Molding

Neutral living room with wood crown molding — James Carriere

There’s something about natural wood tones that have a timeless appeal. While crown molding ideas typically include painting—whether white or a shade that coordinates with the wall color—wood molding with a natural stain can stand the test of time. Keep the walls a soft, cool hue to allow the wood color to be the statement in the room.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!