What Size Crown Molding Do You Use for a 10 Foot Ceiling?

Scale

• Use crown molding in a width and scale that is appropriate for the room in which you are installing it. For rooms with 10-foot ceilings, use at least a 5-inch wide crown molding. Increase the drop distance, the distance from the top to the bottom of the crown molding, proportionately based on the square footage of the room; larger rooms with a 10-foot ceiling can accommodate wider widths of crown molding, up to a maximum of 20 inches. Undersized crown molding can make a room feel top heavy, according to This Old House. Crown molding that is too large can overwhelm the room, making it feel smaller.

Buildups

• Create a custom crown molding for your 10-foot ceiling that fits the décor of your room by using multiple narrow trim pieces to form a "buildup." Fit together different widths of crown molding and other pieces of trim, such as casings, to achieve a drop distance of ½- to 1 inch for every foot of ceiling height. Enliven a basic crown molding by incorporating a piece of insert trim like dentil or rope molding. If using picture rail below the crown molding, reduce the width of the crown molding by an inch or hang the picture rail several inches below the crown molding.

Profile

• Crown moldings are available in a variety of profiles, or design patterns, that will have an impact on their scale when installed. Large rooms with high ceilings can accommodate more ornate crown moldings, while rooms with low ceilings look best with narrower moldings that project farther from the wall. First used by the Ancient Greeks and Romans, crown molding in a clean, Classical profile will complement most rooms. Other traditional profile options include egg and dart, dentil mold, ogee, ovolo and cavetto, while cove crown offers a more modern appearance. Crown molding with deep profiles that produces shadows along the edge of the ceiling is more visually striking than molding with shallow profiles. Choose moldings with horizontal profiles to give the appearance that the room is larger than it actually is and moldings with vertical lines to help create the illusion of a higher ceiling.

Color

• For maximum impact, paint crown molding in a contrasting color to that of the walls and ceiling of the room. Coordinate the color with that of the other trim, such as base molding or chair rail, in the room and throughout the house. Using one trim color creates continuity in the house. Medium-density fiberboard crown molding provides a smooth surface for painting. If using wooden molding, select a stain-grade material and a medium or dark stain to complement light- and medium-colored walls. In kitchens, match the crown molding to the color of the cabinets or use a darker color to accent the room.