18 Thoughtful Crown Molding Ideas for Any Room

Finish the Tops of Partial Walls

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.

Use Crown Molding for Door Frames

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.

Keep the Color Consistent

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.

Choose a Subtle Tone Difference

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.

Go Bold

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.

Opt for Detailed Crown Molding

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.

Focus on the Fireplace

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.

Try Out Two Shades

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.

Create a Border

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.

Layers of Crown Molding

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.

Consider Both Crown Molding and Trim

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.

Incorporate Intricately Designed Crown Molding

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.

Blend Crown Molding With Rustic

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.

Lean Toward Modern Crown Molding

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.

Make a Room Pop With Black Crown Molding

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.

Test Out a Mix of Styles

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.

Leave Out the Cabinets

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.

Go for Extra Intricate

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.