Home Improvement Interior Remodel Walls & Ceilings Trim & Molding

40 Crown Molding Design Ideas

A trim style that lasts for ages

In This Article

The best crown molding ideas can accessorize your home, create architectural detail, and add the perfect finishing touch. Along with making a room feel larger, crown molding in both less expensive materials like MDF or PVC or custom wood is fairly easy to install with a power nailer and a power miter saw. It can even add value to a home in some cases.

Molding can be an ornate traditional element that ties in a historic element, or it can be more modern with simple, straight lines that draw attention upward. Rooms like the dining room, living room, and even the primary bedroom can benefit from crown molding when it's styled tastefully.

Fireplace with crown molding

M. Lavender Interiors

Ready to look for inspiration when you're choosing molding trim? Here are 40 popular ways to incorporate crown molding while complementing your home's architecture.

Modern and Traditional Crown Molding Ideas 

  • 01 of 40

    Keep the Color Consistent

    Crown molding above cabinets

    Michelle Berwick Design

    White and cream-colored crown molding is often the image that first comes to mind, but this isn't your only option. This decorative addition can be painted nearly any shade as this gorgeous kitchen shows. The crown molding above the cabinets match perfectly and create a clean visual finish where the cupboards meet the ceiling.

  • 02 of 40

    Go Bold

    Blue hallway with crown molding

    Margaret Wright

    Forget what you know about basic crown molding. If your heart is set on flashy, vibrant colors, your crown molding can reflect the same. This hallway's deep blue goes from baseboard to ceiling, providing a powerful appearance that's bold but still cohesive and upscale.

  • 03 of 40

    Opt for Detailed Crown Molding

    Crown molding into detailed ceiling

    Margaret Wright

    There are certainly a handful of common crown molding shapes that crop up in many homes, but you don't have to stay limited to those. The ceiling and surrounding crown molding in this dining room show the stunning change in atmosphere that results with the right selection of details.

  • 04 of 40

    Blend Crown Molding With Rustic

    Wooden beams and cabinet crown molding

    Thomas Guy Interiors / Instagram

    Crown molding is often featured throughout more traditional homes, but those with more modern and rustic touches can also look gorgeous with a splash of trim, too. Though the wooden beams here take center stage, the crown molding above the cabinets help modernize and add a clean finish.

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  • 05 of 40

    Finish the Tops of Partial Walls

    Modern Living Room Home Interior Design with fireplace and Television
    YinYang / Getty Images

    Some homes have walls that extend upward but stop short of meeting the ceiling. One common example of this is a closet that's built retroactively into a house with tall ceilings but stops lower than the ceiling. One idea for finishing off this hanging top edge is to use crown molding.

    Crown molding can be nailed onto the edge of these protrusions to act as parapets, with the top of the crown simply floating in mid-air. This is an easy way to define that space, and it can also hide lighting like upward-projecting lights or rope lights.

    Tip

    With the fairly recent advent of color-changing and programmable LED rope lights, a popular use of crown molding has been its inclusion in home theaters. The crown molding is installed several inches or less below the height of the ceiling and rope lighting of various colors is hidden in the cavity created, giving the theater a unique lighting option.

  • 06 of 40

    Use Crown Molding for Door Frames

    Crown molding above door

    Michelle Berwick Design

    Door frames and windows are one of the most common places you'll find crown molding and for good reason. It finishes the look and can add more personality to a room. The white trim in this entryway really pops and plays nicely off of the surrounding wallpaper.

  • 07 of 40

    Choose a Subtle Tone Difference

    Fireplace with crown molding

    M. Lavender Interiors

    For subtle differences in neutral-toned rooms, opt for a crown molding and wall color that vary slightly. It's a nice way to break up the transition from wall to ceiling without drawing major attention to it. This classic living room also has a nice bit of trim work around the fireplace that complements the space, too.

  • 08 of 40

    Focus on the Fireplace

    Light green crown molding

    Rikki Snyder

    It's hard to choose which crown molding feature is most impressive in this room. The trim work of the ceiling and fireplace were clearly both thoughtfully selected. Rather than choosing a classic white, the soft green crown molding is a great choice for around the ceiling. The black trim on the fireplace is equally as nice a pick but a touch more daring.

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  • 09 of 40

    Try Out Two Shades

    Two colors of crown molding

    Rikki Snyder

    There's no rule stating that trim work all needs to be the same color. Add extra personality to a space by choosing two hues that work well together but stand on their own. Light blue and white in this instance are the perfect duo that call attention to the details but allow the wallpaper and decor to shine, too.

  • 10 of 40

    Create a Border

    Red crown molding

    Rikki Snyder

    Though crown molding is often a finishing touch or takes the back seat in a room, this deep red makes another case for it. With the right shade, it can stand out and punctuate a bedroom or living area and create an eye-catching perimeter. This is particularly nice for spaces with a large amount of texture, color, or patterns that might need something to frame it all.

  • 11 of 40

    Layers of Crown Molding

    White kitchen

    mStarr Design Studio

    Why stop at just one layer? The dimensions and different levels that this kitchen has built in make for a more interesting look but remain subtle thanks to the monochromatic white palette. There is crown molding straddling the tops of the cabinets but this blends in nicely with the crown molding at the start of the ceiling.

  • 12 of 40

    Choose a Large Scale Molding for a Big Room

    White room with large crown molding

    Britt Design Studio

    If you're installing crown molding in a big room, then you can play with scale and emphasize the size of the space. Choose a large scale crown molding that will make the room seem even more spacious.

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  • 13 of 40

    Consider Both Crown Molding and Trim

    White crown molding

    Leclair Decor

    Crown molding is what sits at the top of a wall or fixture, but it's not the only trim work that can be incorporated. When you're considering crown molding, think about the wall trim, baseboards, and other decorative moldings that can be built in. It's typically a good idea to think about it all at the same time so they match and play well off one another.

  • 14 of 40

    Create a Subtle Contrast With Modern Crown Molding

    Subtle crown molding and wall in gray and white

    Instagram/@homebypolly

    While crown molding that is in stark contrast to a wall is striking, it's also nice to see molding that's just ever so slightly off from the wall color. Try a warm off-white with a white crown molding for a calming, classic look.

  • 15 of 40

    Incorporate Intricately Designed Crown Molding

    Detailed crown molding

    Rikki Snyder

    Don't be afraid to choose more playful designs for your crown molding, especially if it's white or another neutral color. It's a definite way for infusing a timeless visual excitement in a room that stays as a permanent fixture rather than a seasonal or trendy item that gets changed out.

  • 16 of 40

    Tie It to the Wainscoting

    Crown molding that matches the wainscoting

    Brexton Cole Interiors

    Create a cohesive look in your room by using the same color on your crown molding that you used on the chair rail, wainscoting, or other trim in the room. It doesn't have to match the wallpaper in between—creating the bookends of color is enough to make it feel tied together.

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  • 17 of 40

    Lean Toward Modern Crown Molding

    Modern living room

    Nile Johnson Interior Design

    Crown molding doesn't inhibit modern design, it can add to it as this room proves. Traditional styles of trim are what's most commonly seen, but there are plenty more options than that. For mod rooms, try clean crown molding with simple shapes and dimensions and steer clear of anything too intricate—unless that's your chosen statement feature.

  • 18 of 40

    Curve it Around a Window

    Window with crown molding curved around

    Desiree Burns Interiors

    Make a soaring window stand out even more by decorating it with molding that conforms to its dramatic curves. The look feels timeless and tailored.

  • 19 of 40

    Install It Around Kitchen Cabinets

    Kitchen with crown molding

    Charbonneau Interiors

    If your kitchen cabinets don't hit the ceiling, use crown molding to make them feel like an intentional part of the room. Install the crown molding above the cabinets and you'll distract the eye from seeing the empty space.

  • 20 of 40

    Add a Shadow

    Crown molding with a shadow

    Kate Marker Interiors

    Just like a shadow box draws attention to the objects within it, a shadow above crown molding draws your attention upward, making the ceiling look higher. The paint on the ceiling and walls can be similar to help create a unified look.

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  • 21 of 40

    Make a Room Pop With Black Crown Molding

    Black and white living room

    Design: Mindy Gayer Design Co. / Photography: Vanessa Lentine

    There is no better color than black for adding a stylish edge to a space. If you're not set on an accent wall or painting the whole room black, try covering the crown molding in a jet or midnight shade. It makes neutral and monochrome rooms feel sophisticated and stand out from the rest.

  • 22 of 40

    Test Out a Mix of Styles

    Intricate crown molding

    Morse Design

    When selecting crown molding for a room, it's easy to pick one style of cornice or a particular shape of trim. That being said, sometimes it's exciting to select a fresh shape or mix different styles, like the trim on this ceiling. Plus, when you're designing a crown molding when ceiling curves down, you'll need to switch up your styles.

  • 23 of 40

    Leave Out the Cabinets

    Cabinets without crown molding

    Maite Granda

    Cabinets are a standard candidate for a crown molding treatment, but it's not necessary. As this room exemplifies, you can keep cupboards simple and install them right up to the ceiling or with a strip of very thin trim. Then, the rest of the space can be bordered with crown molding and baseboards.

  • 24 of 40

    Go for Extra Intricate

    Intricate crown molding

    Kendall Wilkinson Design

    Owners of traditional and contemporary spaces might be craving a little more flair in their rooms. They will gain a lot by going all out with trim work. As seen here, layers of crown molding cascade down the top of the ceiling and it continues onto the walls, beneath the windows, and down at the baseboards. Don't fear the idea of covering a room in it, as it clearly pays off.

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  • 25 of 40

    Choose an Ornate Molding

    Ornate vintage-inspired molding

    Ashley Montgomery Design

    If you're installing crown molding in a traditional room, why not go all in on an ornate look? This dramatic crown molding adds to the mix of colors, fabrics, and textures in the space.

  • 26 of 40

    Use It to Separate the Wall From the Ceiling

    Crown molding contrasting ceiling and wall

    Brexton Cole Interiors

    With two different colors on the wall and the ceiling, the crown molding serves as a palate cleanser in between the two. White offsets the two warm, earthy colors, giving them space to shine on their own.

  • 27 of 40

    Pair It with Wainscoting

    Crown molding with paneled walls

    Becca Interiors

    Double up your details and create a layered look by pairing a simple, small crown molding with wainscoting. Paint them in the same color to avoid the space looking too busy.

  • 28 of 40

    Create a Border for a Mural

    White crown molding with a cloud mural

    Britt Design Studio

    When you choose a large scale wallpaper or mural, there needs to be some sort of differentiation to frame it and create a stopping point between the print and the rest of the room. Using crown molding creates an actual frame effect.

    Continue to 29 of 40 below
  • 29 of 40

    Color Wash It In a Bold, Modern Color

    Green dining room

    Calimia Home

    If you've chosen a bold color, don't be afraid to paint everything in that color, including the crown molding. In this room, which has picture frame molding in addition to the crown molding, a color wash gives it a more modern look.

  • 30 of 40

    Echo the Kitchen Cabinetry

    Molding that matches the cabinetry

    Chelius House of Design

    Your kitchen cabinetry will resemble sophisticated, custom furniture when you echo the trim from the top of the cabinetry in the crown molding. Paint it all the same color to create a beautifully seamless look.

  • 31 of 40

    Choose a Small, Detailed Molding

    Detailed crown molding

    Desiree Burns Interiors

    Crown molding doesn't have to be big to make an impact. This small, detailed crown molding adds a dentil effect that's just a touch of intricacy in a space. It feels modern and minimalist, yet gives a nod to a more traditional look.

  • 32 of 40

    Pick a Pretty Pink

    Pink crown molding

    Dekay and Tate

    Introduce a new trim color into the room with a painted crown molding that reads as a neutral. This pretty ballet pink adds contrast while still blending into the room with a soft, feminine look.

    Continue to 33 of 40 below
  • 33 of 40

    Create an Optical Illusion

    Crown molding creating an optical illusion

    Forbes Masters

    While the crown molding in this room is a standard size, paint and an additional thin molding was used to create an optical illusion that makes the molding look like it's super size.

  • 34 of 40

    Choose a Crisp White

    Crisp white molding with gray walls

    Gray Space Interiors

    There's nothing more classic than a crisp white trim that contrasts a cool gray wall. In this room, the other trim was painted in the same color as the wall, leaving only the crown molding to contrast it.

  • 35 of 40

    Use Wooden Beams as Molding

    Wooden beams as crown molding

    Jessica Nelson Design

    Rustic wood beams can also serve as wood trim crown molding, creating a more modern, casual look. This room gives off a California cool look, with the wood beams as the trim echoing those across the ceiling.

  • 36 of 40

    Put Molding on the Ceiling

    Navy and white crown molding

    JLA Design

    The trim doesn't have to be only on the wall. You can also install trim on the ceiling to draw your eye upward and create the look of a higher ceiling.

    Continue to 37 of 40 below
  • 37 of 40

    Make the Crown Molding Part of the Cabinetry

    Crown molding that blends with kitchen cabinets

    JK Interior Living

    When the crown molding blends seamlessly from wall to cabinet, it creates a high-end, custom look that makes the kitchen feel like a real room rather than just a kitchen. It's elegant and sophisticated, especially when painted in the same color.

  • 38 of 40

    Go Bright, Mold, and Modern

    Pink molding

    Kendall Wilkinson Design

    Painted trim in a vibrant bubblegum silhouette is juxtaposed with a traditional silhouette in this eclectic living room. The balance mixes old and new, and the bright color adds to its appeal.

  • 39 of 40

    Contrast a Crisp, Dark Wall

    Navy room with white molding

    Kate Marker Interiors

    Classic dark navy walls are crisp on their own, but especially when contrasted with a thick white crown molding. White furnishings and white details keep the space feeling light and airy.

  • 40 of 40

    Install It With a Vaulted Ceiling

    Crown molding with vaulted ceiling

    Laquita Tate

    While most design rules will tell you to avoid crown molding with a vaulted ceiling, the straight lines of this room mean that adding molding works. It adds detail in this all-white space without looking cluttered.

Pros and Cons of Crown Molding

Crown molding is a popular way of dressing up certain features of a room. But it can look outdated in the wrong style of home. It's not made for all designs, and it can certainly be overused or misused. Homes aiming for a modern look are not often well-suited for crown molding, as it can feel out of style with the rest of the space. For example, modern kitchens and living rooms do not typically include this trim. Additionally, it's not recommended to put crown molding in some types of rooms, such as those with vaulted ceilings.

In short, it's best to avoid elaborate crown molding in a house with no other ornamentation because it simply does not fit the style. At the same time, adding crown molding alone does not give your home a classic style. Crown molding is only one feature of classically styled homes—most also have wainscotingbaseboards, bulls-eyes, and other types of trim. The rest of the home's trim should be kept commensurate with the crown molding for a cohesive look.

Cost to Install Crown Molding 

The national average cost to install crown molding is $1,291, though the range is wide, with the cost per linear foot coming in $4 to $23. If you're considering doing your whole home, budget at least $3,000. Of that estimate, the materials will generally cost $1 to $15 per linear foot, while the installation will add $3 to $20 per linear foot. MDF or PVC will cost less than buying and installing more high-end, custom wood molding.

There are multiple factors that can drive the price of crown molding up, including high-end materials, ornate molding, or other design decisions that give it a more custom look.

You can also DIY your crown molding and install trim on your own, but don't forget to add in the cost for renting or buying materials including a miter saw.

FAQ
  • What is crown molding?

    Crown molding is the trim molding typically put on the top of the wall by the ceiling to create a finished look. It is also used along the top edge of cabinets.

  • Can you install crown molding yourself?

    If you are a DIYer and have carpentry skills, installing crown molding takes a few tools, a measuring tape, and a ladder. Follow safety rules when getting on the ladder and sawing the crown molding.

  • Does adding crown molding increase your home's resale value?

    Crown molding is a timeless accent piece that brings a touch of elegance to any room and can help to increase the value of the home.

  • Is crown molding still in style?

    Crown molding is a classic look that won't go out of style! You can choose a more formal or more modern look, but there's a crown molding style to suit every home.

  • Which rooms should have crown molding?

    While crown molding is most common in living areas and dining rooms, you can put it anywhere in your home, including bedrooms and powder rooms.

  • Should crown molding match the baseboards?

    Typically, crown molding will be painted to match the baseboards, but it's not a requirement. You might color wash the crown molding and trim, while painting the baseboards white or black.

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  1. Glam Up Your Home With Crown Molding. National Association of Realtors.

  2. https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/walls-and-ceilings/crown-molding-installation/