6 Molding Mistakes Homeowners Always Make and How to Fix Them

09.02.2024 - 17:01 / thespruce.com

Trim, from crown molding to window casing, offers an air of elegance and dimensionality that many homeowners desire. But sometimes they’re so eager to incorporate such detail that they don’t think through some of the faux pas they may be committing.

We spoke to architects and interior designers to touch on the basics of how to do molding right and when to consider skipping it.

Jessica Nelson Design / Photo by Carina Skrobecki Photography

One of the most common molding mistakes that design professionals see is the use of a molding scale that doesn’t fit the space. Frequently, a homeowner might opt for grand, clunky molding despite the space having an average-or lower-height ceiling.

“All too often, homeowners and remodelers think elaborate crown molding will elevate their space,” Erin Williamson, principal of Erin Williamson Design, says.

“A typical 8- or 9-foot-tall ceiling either calls for no crown or a relatively small crown molding profile,” Williamson says.

Christina Kim, principal of Christina Kim Interior Design advises the same. She says that your room can handle up to 6- to 9-inch-tall crown moldings if you have very tall ceilings. However, if you have ceilings that are 8 feet high or less, consider shorter moldings and skip the crown altogether for a more modern look.

Erin Williamson Design

Just as with scale, homeowners often mismatch style, choosing a molding profile that looks completely out of place in the space it’s occupying.

The right way to go about this is straightforward: Gauge the architectural style of the home. “If your home is modern, it would feel incongruous to use an ornate, built-up crown molding,” Kim says.

Going beyond traditional versus modern is also important.

“Homeowners should