Crown molding is a type of finish trim designed for installation at the top of a wall. While this trim can seem relatively simple there are a number of factors I like to keep in mind when choosing crown molding for my clients. Among the most important decisions is what size of crown molding to use, the style just as equally as important. Molding that’s too large can overwelm small spaces, while too-small molding (I call this wimpy why did you bother trim- ha! ) may not make an impact in your larger space that you were aiming for.
To choose the right size of crown molding for your home, consider things like ceiling height, the style of trim you want to get installed by a professional or install yourself, and keeping in mind the style of the trim through your whole home.
For Eight Foot Ceilings:
For a room with standard eight foot ceiling you do not want large pieces of molding. If the molding is too wide, it will make the room appear too small and the molding itself will overpower the rest of the room. For an eight foot ceiling I usually would specify a molding between 3 inches and 5 1/4 inches wide works best.
I had a client this past summer and the husband really wasn’t sure about installing crown molding. After he saw how it lifted his 8 ft ceilings, he was convinced. Sometimes we don’t know something is wrong untill we see it done right.
For Nine to Ten Foot Ceilings
For taller ceilings, running nine to ten feet in height, this is the exact time to use slightly wider molding. If your molding is too small, it will seem insignificant in comparison to the room. And the taller the ceilings go, the harder it is to see a smaller crown molding. So if you have ceilings that are nine to ten feet range, use molding that runs from 5 1/4 inches wide to seven inches wide.
See the diagram below to show you the amount of inches is the measurement on the diagonal.
For Taller than ten Feet Ceilings
For even taller ceilings and vaulted ceilings, you’ll need beefier crown molding. Once your ceilings get this tall, you won’t find crown molding in exactly the right width. For taller ceilings, the molding is usually built up by combining more than one piece of trim. This is custom in action!! Typically, built-up molding starts with a standard baseboard, installed upside down. Then, on top of this, a piece of crown molding is used, exposing the bottom few inches of the base.
I used this method in our home. While our ceilings are not ten plus feet in height I wanted to go with a very custom idea. You can still do this if you keep the amount in inches at a capping. If I were to specify 10 inch custom crown for our home it would have looked ridiculous. This custom idea was more work for Darryl, so very Sorry Darryl!
I layered a standard base board on the wall, added another simple base board on the ceiling, and then had him install the crown piece in the middle for a rounded off look. Very classic and modern look and really adds a lot of height to the feel of our space. We love it. Thanks Darryl.
Custom designed crown molding. I hope you’ve found this post helpful for your next project, new build or renovation. Remember, the act of installing the crown in the first place isn’t the most important, it’s the size that you choose that is relevent. If you can’t afford to yet install crown, wait till you can get the right size crown molding installed that’s just right for your home.
If you want to live intentionally in your home and come home to a place where your Home just works give us a call!
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Jodi
Can you tell me the correct height for baseboards? I have 8′ ceilings with the front door entrance hallway, living room and dining room all in one open area (approx 24′ long) leading to a small kitchen and lower family room/tv area. Does house size as well as ceiling height determine how high you should go. Is 5″ a good height or would 3-4″ look more in proportion? Thank you.
Thanks for sharing this! I have been thinking of getting crown molding for the first floor of my home, but I didn’t know which size to get. My living room has a nine foot ceiling, but the rest of the rooms have eight foot ceilings. Is there a way for me to gradual increase the size of the crown molding so that it is the right size for every room?