How to Choose Crown Molding

Crown molding is a great way to add character and interest to any room. However, choosing the right crown molding can be difficult. There are literally hundreds of widths and styles available, which makes the task of choosing crown molding that much more difficult. However, if you take these four things into account, you will be able to narrow down your options and find the best crown molding for your room.

Height of the Ceilings

The first thing you want to look at is the height of the ceilings in the room in question. The lower the ceilings are, the smaller the width your molding should be. If you put six inch crown molding in a room with eight foot ceilings, it is only going to make that ceiling feel lower. So choosing a one inch molding would still lend character without making the ceiling feel lower.

On the other hand, if you put that same one inch molding in a room with vaulted ceilings, you might as well not put molding up. A high ceiling requires thick molding to stand out. So select a molding size that makes since with the height of the ceiling.

Style of the Home

The next thing you are going to want to consider is the style of the home. When it comes to the detail on your molding, you want to make sure it fits your home. For example, very ornate molding may go beautifully in a Victorian home. However, if you put that same ornate molding in a contemporary style home, it would look completely out of place. If you are not sure about the style you should choose, take a look at the existing molding around your windows and doorways to get an idea.

Feel of the Room

After you have eliminated options based on the style of the home, you are also going to want to further narrow down your selection based on the feel you want the room to have. In every home there are rooms that feel casual or fancy depending on the furniture and function of the room. So if you have a Victorian home, you want your molding to be ornate. However, how ornate should depend on the room's feel and function. So fine tune your selection with this in mind.

Personal Taste

Once you have narrowed down your options to only a few based on the previous factors, it is time to bring your personal taste into account. Looking at the selection you have left, what molding really stands out to you? Is this something that everyone in your home would be able to live with? If so, then it might just be the one. Buy a sample and hold it up to see if it works in your room. If so, congratulations, you have just chosen your crown molding.Even with the hundreds of options available to you, it does not have to be difficult to choose crown molding for your room. By taking into account your ceiling height, house style, the room's feel and your personal taste, you are much more likely to find the perfect crown molding. Now all you need to do is have it installed.