Redo Renew Recycle - Home Decorating On a Budget

One of the simplest additions to your walls can make the difference between dull or boring and stylish and welcoming.

I’m talking about Crown Moldings. These are a wonderfully elegant addition to any room that can add style and flair, as well as having the one thing do-it-yourself-ers can rely on – hiding those little imperfections. Crown molding can be used at the top of a room to add definition to a ceiling, or through the middle of your walls to brighten the look of the room.

These simple instructions can help you give your walls that final touch that speaks of a well thought out and decorated home.

You will need ¾ inch strips of plywood for backing – the molding should fit over the backing without anything showing. After marking the ceiling joists, or if doing the middle of the room, the wall studs, attach the plywood to the wall with screws, leaving a gap at each corner so the molding will ‘clear’ the backing. Using a scrap of molding as a template, mark the room where the bottom edge of the molding will sit on the walls. (If you don’t have a stud finder, simply use a finishing nail, and make holes along the molding line until you find a stud. Each stud should be 16-inches apart.)

Paint or stain the molding, and allow time for drying before installing.

Cut the first piece to the length of the longest wall, making a square cut, and install it with screws or finishing nails, making sure they penetrate the backing. (For longer walls, you might need two strips of molding. Join them in the middle with a 45-degree compound miter. If you find the ceiling is not flat you will need to caulk the gaps.)

To fit the next piece of trim to the first, you need to make a ‘coped joint’ for a snug fit. You do this by cutting the molding at a 45-degree angle, making 60-degree angle back cuts on the cut edges with a coping saw. Use a utility knife to fine-tune the fit.

The outside corners need to be ‘compound mitered’ so that it slopes toward the corner. It might be easier to cut a sample first, in order to adjust the fit, and then cut the molding to fit. Cross-nail the molding to the walls and ceiling with your finishing nails. (Tip: cut the outside miters a bit longer and time them to fit.)

Make sure, when you are measuring, to allow for cutting waste. To do this, simply add 2 or 3 inches to your measurement, and round up to the next highest length of molding. For instance, if you have a 5-foot, 6-inch wall, you will need to purchase a 6-foot length of molding. If possible, try and purchase a single piece of molding for each side of the room you are doing. This cuts down on waste, time, and patience!