Originally designed to cover over gaps where walls meet ceilings, crown molding has evolved into a decorative staple in homes. Whether practical or aesthetic, there are many reasons to incorporate crown molding into your home. However, crown molding won’t translate as well in certain areas of the home as it does in others.

Learn where to install crown molding to enhance your home’s interior from our team at Jaeger Lumber, serving contractors and homeowners throughout New Jersey.

Which Rooms Can Have Crown Molding?

It’s somewhat of a trick question. You can put crown molding in any room — it’s more about the architectural design of the space than its function. Additionally, incorporating crown molding isn’t an all-or-nothing decision. Some people add crown molding to every room, but you can also install it in some rooms and not others.

The decision depends on how much you admire the design element. Beyond aesthetic appeal, crown molding offers several other benefits, such as making smaller rooms appear bigger or taller and potentially adding value to your home.

Consider how you might use crown molding in the following areas:

  • Bathrooms: Draw attention to focal points in the bathroom, such as casings or ceiling designs, with crown molding. It can also make the space feel bigger.
  • Entryways/hallways: Set an elegant tone the minute you or your guests enter your home with crown molding in the main entryway and other prominent hallways.
  • Dining rooms: Accentuate a focal point, such as the light fixture above the dining room table, to create an elegant tone.
  • Kitchens: Unify the kitchen with crown molding that matches cabinetry trim. Like the living room, the kitchen is a key gathering point for parties, meaning crown molding can wow your guests.
  • Living rooms: Create cohesion with crown molding in the room used for gathering as a family. It looks sophisticated on fireplaces and can highlight the windows for a cozy feel.
  • Main bedrooms: Distinguish the main bedroom from others in the house with crown molding, which can add height to rooms with low or angular ceilings.

In addition to crown moldings, you can consider other types of molding for these and other rooms. Some options include:

When Shouldn’t You Use Crown Molding?

Crown molding isn’t advisable in any room with vaulted ceilings. Also called high ceilings, vaulted ceilings feature an arched design that creates more space above the room. Some vaulted ceilings aren’t arched but have a triangular design that mimics the roof’s structure, with two halves sliding downward from a ridge at the highest point in the center of the ceiling. These are called cathedral ceilings.

Installing crown molding below a vaulted ceiling may not be impossible in some instances, but it’s usually very challenging. It also may look awkward as the molding won’t attach as it would with a flat ceiling. The potentially higher cost and possibility of an unappealing finished product make crown molding for vaulted ceilings less desirable.

What’s more, since vaulted ceilings already make a room appear bigger, crown molding can produce a cavernous, overwhelming feel that makes a space less inviting.

Discover Trim and Molding at Jaeger Lumber

As a full-service provider of lumber and other building products, Jaeger Lumber offers various trim and molding options to help you achieve your design goals. Whether you want to add elegance using crown molding or explore other choices, you can trust the experienced installers and designers at Jaeger Lumber. We’ve served homeowners and contractors in New Jersey since 1937. Contact us today to learn more about our quality building products or to request a quote.