Crown molding seemed fancy and unnecessary until I actually installed some. Changed my mind completely. That plain wall-ceiling joint looks unfinished now.
Why Bother
It’s not just decoration. Crown molding hides gaps and imperfections where walls meet ceilings. Old houses especially – nothing’s ever quite square.
Also just looks finished. Like the difference between a frame and no frame on artwork.
Picking a Style
Simple profiles for modern homes. Don’t fight your architecture. Nobody wants ornate Victorian trim in a mid-century ranch.
Room height matters too. Low ceilings need smaller molding or it feels oppressive. High ceilings can handle the dramatic stuff.
The Hard Part
Inside corners – cope them, don’t miter. Coping means cutting along the profile so one piece sits against the other. Miters gap when wood moves.
Outside corners you miter. Get a compound miter saw. Seriously. Hand-cutting crown angles is miserable.
Practice on scrap. A lot of scrap. Crown sits at an angle against wall and ceiling – visualizing the cuts takes time.
Finish Work
Fill every nail hole. Caulk every gap. Prime before painting – wood shows through otherwise.
Nobody notices good crown molding consciously. They just think the room feels “right.” That’s the point.
