In the world of interior design, crown molding has evolved from being a mere patch job for uneven walls and drafts to becoming a crucial element in any design style. Its importance is undeniable, especially when it comes to creating a cohesive look. When it comes to deciding where to install crown molding, some rooms are more suitable than others. Classic choices include the living room, kitchen, dining room, and even bedrooms.
It can be used to make a statement or enhance the ambiance, adding a touch of elegance to any space. On the other hand, there are certain spaces where crown molding might not be the best fit. For instance, rooms with dramatic changes in height, such as vaulted ceilings, may not be suitable for ornate designs. Similarly, modern rooms, especially kitchens and living areas, might benefit from a more understated approach. One question that often arises is whether crown molding remains in style.
The answer lies somewhere in between – like any design element, it’s subject to trends. However, its versatility and ability to create continuity make it an evergreen feature that will likely continue to be popular. Moreover, it can significantly increase a home’s resale value. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at some innovative crown molding ideas.
Crown Molding Unifies the Kitchen
Classic crown molding is a versatile design element that can elevate the visual appeal of any room. By installing it strategically, builders can create the illusion of more space between ceilings and cabinet tops. To achieve this look, homeowners can simply paint the moldings to match their wall color, effectively creating a seamless transition.
Craftsman Brick Fireplace Crown Molding
In a craftsman-style home, attention to architectural detail and the use of solid wood furnishings are paramount. As such, wood molding is an essential element in creating a cohesive look. In this particular abode, beautifully crafted wood crown molding unites the walls and elegantly frames the brick fireplace, as seen in the stunning design by Open Door Architecture.
Crown Molding Adds Height to Cabinets
Transforming any cabinet into a bespoke design is as simple as adding classic crown molding to its peak. This striking feature adds a touch of sophistication and elegance, making it a staple in many Hamptons-inspired spaces, including studies like the one featured by Garrison Hullinger Design.
Hide Lighting Fixtures With Crown Molding
In many kitchen designs, a clever trick is to tuck pieces of crown molding underneath cabinets to conceal task lighting. This same creative approach can be effectively applied in the bedroom by incorporating the lighting around the room’s perimeter. Not only does this solution provide task lighting, but it also creates a warm and inviting ambiance, making it perfect for mood lighting purposes.
Hide a False Wall With Crown Molding
The often overlooked soffit area, situated between kitchen cabinetry and ceiling, offers an opportunity for creative expression in design. A clever application of crown molding, as showcased in this charming farmhouse kitchen, enables the extension of this decorative element to form a seamless wall treatment. This thoughtful approach not only adds visual appeal but also simplifies cleaning efforts by eliminating the need to navigate a cluttered space.
Double up in a Double Vanity
The luxurious bathroom is elevated by the addition of double wide crown molding, which not only adds visual flair but also cleverly wraps around a closet extension. While this design element may be intentional or a response to spatial constraints, it’s worth noting that installing a single piece of molding and then adding another underneath can often prove more cost-effective than purchasing specialized double wide crown molding.
Mirrored Crown Molding Idea
Incorporating crown molding to match the design further down is a popular approach. This kitchen, for instance, takes the glass front shelves to new heights by replicating the ceiling’s design with crown molding. The soffit is cleverly covered, making it impossible to distinguish between freestanding cabinets and built-in units. With this seamless integration, the overall aesthetic is elevated.
Monochrome and Modern Crown Molding Idea
The subtle nod to art déco style in the trim work adds a modern touch to the space. A characteristic feature of art déco stylized moldings is the use of flat pieces built up in a step pattern, which creates a sense of height and visual interest. By painting the molding the same color as the walls, it’s cleverly designed to make the ceiling appear higher than it actually is, particularly in this narrow vanity area.
Furthermore, the stepped design also draws attention to the archway leading into the shower space, where the trim and molding work together to create a stunning visual effect.
Trim for Tray Ceiling
In a clever design move, designers often opt to add crown molding between the wider sections of a tray ceiling, creating an optical illusion that the room’s ceiling appears taller than its actual height. This strategic placement draws the eye upward, effectively heightening the sense of space and adding depth to the room.
Lower a Ceiling
Much like how a harmonious palette can create an illusion of elevated ceilings, a thoughtful choice of color for molding can equally contribute to a sense of coziness. In this inviting bedroom, the judicious selection of white paint has skillfully capitalized on the generous natural light pouring in through the large windows.
Add a Trim Finish to a Fireplace
The focal point of this cozy space is a stunning fireplace that leverages its vertical presence by incorporating elegant crown molding on the ceiling. This thoughtful design element cleverly harmonizes with the mantel, together creating a beautiful frame for the mounted TV.
Crown Moldings With Curtain Rods
When it comes to windows, a fresh coat of paint can completely transform their aesthetic, seamlessly integrating them with the surrounding wall. This harmonious blend creates a beautiful backdrop for the curtains in this dining room, adding warmth and character to the space. Meanwhile, the entrance makes a statement as the door and trim stretch all the way up to the ceiling, a striking visual surprise that draws the eye upward.
Add Polish to Corners
Crown moldings offer an unparalleled level of flexibility, making them an ideal choice for seamlessly covering corners and irregularly shaped areas within a space. This versatility allows designers to create visually appealing and cohesive spaces that are free from awkward gaps and harsh lines.
Frame an Interior Entrance
Crown molding plays a dual role in interior design, serving both aesthetic and functional purposes. In this particular space, it serves as a decorative ledge above the doorway, adding a touch of elegance to the room’s layout. Moreover, the combination of crown molding with panel molding effectively defines the narrow dining area, creating a cozy atmosphere that is further enhanced by the addition of an area rug.
This clever use of design elements helps to carve out a clear sense of space in what would otherwise be an open and potentially overwhelming environment.
Simplify With Cove Molding
In today’s modern spaces, like this sleek dinette area, subtle yet effective design elements can make all the difference. One such example is the use of minimalist crown molding in a clean-lined style, specifically the cove molding variety. This understated treatment performs the same role as its more ornate counterparts, adding depth and visual interest to the space without overwhelming it with excessive detail.
Cover a Soffit
In this kitchen, a straightforward cove molding installation adds a touch of elegance to the soffit. Furthermore, by applying a glossy white finish to the crown molding, it not only provides a beautiful contrast but also serves as a clever light-reflector, amplifying the ambient glow within the room.
Double up for Big Style
In modern crown molding design, a single-color paint scheme has emerged as a popular trend. This aesthetic goal is often achieved by painting all moldings in the same hue, which helps create an illusion of a larger space. A prime example of this concept can be seen in a French-inspired dining room where a recessed ceiling and varied molding styles are employed to draw attention to a stunning crystal chandelier.
To replicate this look, designers suggest experimenting with ornate crown moldings like bead, pearl, egg and dart, or dentil molding. Flexible molding makes the installation process smoother. Take note of how the molding was skillfully integrated around the ceiling medallion, further unifying the space’s overall aesthetic.
Extend Kitchen Cabinets
In this harmonious kitchen, the unifying elements are paint and stacked crown molding, expertly used to merge the cabinets and appliances. The arched space above the window serves as a prime illustration of how disparate sections of shelving and storage can be skillfully tied together. The result is a visually appealing and cohesive design that effectively blends form and function.
Cozy Cove Molding Idea
This opulent nursery and play area boasts a sumptuous atmosphere, achieved through the thoughtful incorporation of vintage elements, tactile textures, and a soothing color palette with subtle gray undertones. The strategic use of cove moldings cleverly directs the eye downwards, mitigating the visual impact of the high ceiling on the young visitors who frequent the space.
Meanwhile, the generous baseboard molding and panel moldings inject a sense of brightness while streamlining maintenance and cleaning tasks.
Crown Molding With Corner Blocks
When it comes to installing crown molding, one of the most effective ways to tackle tricky corners is by incorporating corner blocks into your design. These clever little pieces of trim can be used to create a seamless and professional-looking finish, even in areas where traditional molding techniques might fall short.
In terms of fireplace design, it’s often the subtle details that make all the difference.
Take for example the overmantel trim on this fireplace, which perfectly complements the surrounding wall trim while still managing to stand out as a distinct design element. By extending outward just so, the trim creates a sense of depth and visual interest, allowing the fireplace to remain a unique focal point within the room’s overall aesthetic.
Crown Molding Finishes a Room
In the given space, a simple yet effective design element is employed – unadorned white crown molding. Its understated presence brings a sense of polish to the room without overpowering the wood baseboards, window trim, and doorway casings. This subtle yet striking choice creates a harmonious balance that elevates the overall aesthetic.
Furthermore, adopting this crown molding idea of painting the ceiling and molding classic white can be an excellent solution to brighten up a darkly furnished room, as depicted in the work of Open Door Architecture.
Detailed Crown Molding Idea
The kitchen’s attention to detail is exemplified by subtle yet striking features, including pendant lamps that add a touch of elegance, a visually appealing backsplash, and an innovative use of curved windows in the upper cabinets. These thoughtful touches not only enhance the space’s aesthetic but also create a sense of continuity with the rest of the design, as seen in the decorative crown molding, such as egg and dart, which mirrors the curves present throughout the overall scheme.
Classically Tuscan Bedroom
In this grand bedroom, the sitting area is a masterclass in understated elegance, evoking the timeless charm of Old World Italy. The subtle yet sophisticated classical moldings that adorn the space are reminiscent of Tuscan style decor, with none of the heavy-handed ironwork that might disrupt the serene atmosphere. As seen via Rogers-Ford Architects, this harmonious blend of form and function creates a truly inviting retreat.
Showcase a Ceiling
Instead of blending in with the vaulted ceiling, consider creating visual interest by painting the molding a distinct color. This allows you to draw attention upwards and create a sense of grandeur. A simple yet effective way to do this is to install wood trim above the soffit and paint it to match the lower walls and molding. This clever design move elevates the eye to the top of the room, where it can appreciate the warmth and ambiance brought by a large lantern lamp’s delicate pattern.
Federal Style Has Traditional Roots
In addition to concealing imperfections in a room’s aesthetic, crown molding plays a crucial role in creating a cohesive look. By mirroring the design of chair rails, battens, and baseboards, it seamlessly ties together the transitional space. Moreover, its versatility allows it to discreetly conceal wiring for sconces in the hallway, further enhancing the overall ambiance.
Glossy Crown Molding
The living room’s crown molding serves as a perfect example of how a design element can be used to enhance the overall aesthetic without overpowering it. By painting the crown molding with a gloss finish, its reflective quality is able to capitalize on the light emanating from the crystal ceiling light fixture, subtly distinguishing it from the plaster ceiling in the process.
Frame a Ceiling
Finishing off exposed beams with a soffit and wood trim can elevate the ambiance of any room. This simple yet effective solution adds visual interest, creating a striking contrast between the linear or curvaceous design and the surrounding substantial furniture. For a cohesive look, consider pairing this architectural detail with complementary design elements to create a harmonious space.
Elegant Crown Molding Is a Surprising Element
A seemingly straightforward space with a neutral color scheme and gray walls takes an unexpected turn when ornate crown molding is introduced. The contrast between the minimalist wall decor and the intricately designed molding creates visual interest, making the room more engaging.
Despite the potential for high-end design, ornate moldings can be found at affordable prices at local retailers like Home Depot.
