Your Crown Molding May Make Your Room Look Smaller: Here's What To Do Instead

You've likely seen those old Victorian and Regency homes with ornate cornices — they exude a sense of grandeur that many of us wish we could capture in our own spaces. One way to do so is to incorporate thick, decorative crown molding into the design scheme. While this can be a refined and elegant transition between the walls and ceiling, it can often feel out of place in newer architectural styles. Or, even worse, the sprawling decorative crown molding could actually hurts the interior design by making the room feel smaller. Contractors warn homeowners that thick decorative trims may not be appropriate for every space, particularly in rooms with lower ceilings. Experts recommend passing on adding decorative cornicing in rooms that are 8 feet tall or less, as thick trims can shrink the visual height of the space.

There are plenty of crown molding installation mistakes to avoid, and using the wrong size of trim is one of them — it can greatly reduce the visual expansiveness of your room. For example, a 4-inch ceiling trim will take away that much space from your wall as it creates a hard visual break in the design. While 4 inches may not seem like much, in a room with 7- to 9-foot ceilings, that visual loss will be greatly felt. Aside from low ceilings, experts also suggest avoiding thick cornicing in spaces with awkward wall-to-ceiling transitions, like a vaulted ceiling, or in rooms that already have other ceiling details, like beams.

If you love the look of crown molding but are stuck with lower ceilings, rest assured that you don't have to give up on this decorative treatment. Simply choosing a slimmer crown molding that is less than 4 inches wide can add design intrigue to your space without sacrificing too much wall height. Opting for less ornate or detailed cornicing can also benefit certain home styles, particularly in newer builds with modern styles. You get the same luxurious effect of ceiling trim without weighing down your space. The goal is to adopt a "less is more" attitude with smaller rooms. So, if you have a space which already features beams, coffered ceilings, or a busy aesthetic, you may want to nix the crown molding, which could become overbearing.

Others recommend painting your crown molding the same color as the walls or ceiling. Painting thick trim the same color as the walls will actually extend the height of the room visually. This makes crown molding one of the best areas in your house to try the color drench paint trend, since painting trim, walls, and the ceiling in the same color can actually expand the look of a room. Alternatively, consider avoiding harsh contrasting colors on your trim, which often results in hard visual breaks that can shrink the room's appearance. There are plenty of stunning trim color ideas to use in your home that aren't a tired white or other distinct color that could look out of place in your palette.