11 Creative Crown Molding Ideas to Add More Charm to Your Home

Forget paint, forget wallpaper—in our book, there’s no better way to bring a custom feel to your space than with classic crown molding. While the term molding is used pretty universally throughout design, crown molding typically refers to any molding that meets at the intersection of the walls and ceiling. It comes into play for purely aesthetic reasons these days, but crown molding was actually initially conceived as a way to conceal the gaps and seams where old-school building materials came together. These days, though, it simply serves as another layer of aesthetic personalization and architectural interest in all kinds of homes.

crown molding close up — Photo and Design by Bateaumagne

The best part? Crown molding can be an easy (and often, relatively inexpensive) way to bring an added layer of thoughtful design to your space, especially if you’re feeling like your room is skewing too “builder-grade” or feeling a bit unfinished. To help you gather inspiration for your own home, we’re rounding up 11 stylish crown molding ideas that will instantly make your space feel more custom and charming. From ornate, Parisian-inspired motifs to clean, modern lines, these crown molding examples are timeless, designer-approved, and, best of all, easy to achieve.

01 of 11

Bring Height With Step Molding

crown molding in living room — Photo c/o Anthropologie and Farrow & Ball

While it may seem counterintuitive, adding crown molding to your walls is actually a great way to make them appear taller and more grand. Here, a dramatic and formal step molding trails up the walls and onto the ceiling for a partially decorative, partially practical way of making the space feel even more expansive.

02 of 11

Pair It With Ceiling Molding

crown molding in sun room — Photo and Design by Collins Interiors

Because crown molding adds an air of formality to a space, it basically acts as a free pass to work in other decorative elements that may otherwise feel too fancy or out of place. In this formal home by Collins Interiors, traditional crown molding gives way to a decorative bamboo trim detail on the ceiling that echos the geometric lines in the space and ties in the verdant wall color.

03 of 11

Add a Geometric Touch With Dentil Molding

crown molding in office room — Photo by Spacecrafting Photography for Bria Hammel Interiors; Architecture by David Charlez Designs

Many forms of crown molding feature soft curved lines—but that doesn’t mean that’s your only option. If your room skews more modern or masculine, consider optioning dentil molding as your crown molding of choice. As seen here in an office designed by Bria Hammel Interiors, this style can bring clean lines and a graphic element to a space, while also maintaining that traditional feel.

04 of 11

Team Crown Molding With Box Molding

crown molding and archways — Photo by Kristin Karch for The Misfit House

For a cohesive look throughout your space, consider pairing your crown molding with additional millwork details, like the doorway casing and box chair molding seen here in a project by The Misfit House. With both details painted the same creamy putty hue, the effect is subtle and timeless, not visually overwhelming.

05 of 11

Incorporate a Decorative Motif

crown molding and box trim — Photo and Design by Jewel Marlowe for Jeweled Interiors

Spend any time browsing images of Parisian interiors and you’ll notice one thing is for certain: Those Europeans definitely know a thing or two about crown molding. Not only do most of their formal interiors feature crown molding, but they also work in added decorative motifs for even more visual interest. To mimic the same look, consider incorporating a plaster millwork detail—like the fern fleurs seen here in a project by Jeweled Interiors—onto the ceiling to dress up your crown molding even further.

06 of 11

Use Crown Molding to Mix Up Your Pattern

crown molding with ceiling wallpaper — Photo and Design by Collins Interiors

Sometimes, the “break” that crown molding provides at the intersection of your wall and ceiling can be a great means of mixing up the other design elements in your space, like your paint or wallpaper. In this room dreamed up by Collins Interiors, crisp white crown molding offers up a natural transition for the wallpaper, allowing the designer to subtly switch the wall's vertical stripes to a dynamic chevron pattern on the ceiling.

07 of 11

Go Exceptionally Ornate

crown molding painted light green — Photo and Design by Bateaumagne

When it comes to crown molding, some spaces call for more formality than others. When designing an a more traditionally formal space—like a dining room or sitting room—feel free to mix up your crown molding and opt for a design with more decorative plaster elements. In this Parisian pied-à-terre, the firm Bateaumagne turned to layers of detailed crown molding to add femininity and visual interest to the space.

08 of 11

Use It to Soften Harsh Angles

You may think that adding crown molding to a ceiling with harsh, angular lines will only call attention to the issue—but the exact opposite is actually true. Instead, a few strategic layers of crown molding—like the subtle design seen here in a room by Jeweled Interiors—can be a great way to soften peaked ceilings or awkward corners and help them flow with the rest of the space.

09 of 11

Keep the Wood Bare

While most instances of crown molding showcase the detail with a painted finish, stained wood crown molding can also be a great way to work natural textures and tones into your space, especially if your home’s architecture is a style well-suited to wood finishes. In this California craftsman home, designer Jamie Haller kept all trim work bare, choosing instead to contrast the rich wood with an equally moody paint hue.

10 of 11

Pair It With Playful Details

crown molding with painted trim — Photo by Milo Brown Photography for Studio Atkinson

Crown molding can be great on its own—but it can also take on a funky, playful edge when paired with other daring details. In this space by Studio Atkinson, designer Susie Atkinson teamed a thin crown molding with her brand’s Reggie Wallpaper Border for a cheeky twist on a traditional design element.

11 of 11

Fake Thickness With Paint

crown molding painted sage green — Photo by Kristin Karch for The Misfit House

For a crown molding look that’s big on impact and style, look no further than this dramatic example from The Misfit House. Designer Monica Stewart mimicked the look of a chunky, oversized crown molding by installing a thinner version where the ceiling meets the wall. Stewart followed it up with a plank of millwork immediately below. When everything is painted in the same rustic green hue, the end result is a high-end and custom look that brings big impact.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!