Molding Ideas: Simple Alternatives to Crown Molding for Stylish Trim

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Molding Ideas

Great pictures are a constant source of inspiration for me, and Melissa has a talent for finding them. A photo she shared in her article on colored walls caught my eye. It wasn’t just the wall color that stood out—the trim treatment was what really intrigued me.

Take a look:

House To Home

I love how the top and bottom of the wall are framed by similar-width bands of white paint. The effect complements the bold wall color perfectly. At first glance it looks like traditional crown molding, but if you look closely you’ll notice it’s not typical crown molding at all.

My first thought was that they used the same baseboard upside down, which is a clever idea. But what they actually did is even simpler: a narrow strip of picture molding or small trim installed on the wall with white paint above it. It’s remarkably easy and very effective. How easy is that?

I found a similar example in progress on HGTV.com (though the painting there could be neater and the popcorn ceiling is a drawback). That close-up shows exactly how small trim can create this framed look.

Small molding like this has a lot of advantages:

• Lightweight and easy to transport.
• Quick to install with small finish nails and a bit of adhesive if needed.
• Simple to cut and miter by hand using a basic miter box.
• Easy to finish and paint—especially if you follow a smart painting sequence.

My recommended painting method

Keep it straightforward:

1. Paint the wall first. Carry the wall color up past the location where the molding will be installed so the color edge is clean and uniform.
2. Paint the molding before installation. Fully finish the trim on the workbench or floor so you don’t struggle with tight corners or drips when it’s up.
3. After installing the molding, paint the top white area with the same trim paint you used for the molding. This eliminates the need for delicate tape lines and produces a cleaner, crisper edge between the color and the white.

The narrow strip of trim at the ceiling is optional; the design looks great with or without it. This approach offers a stylish, budget-friendly alternative to traditional crown molding while delivering a crisp, framed look around a painted feature wall.

There you have it—a simple alternative to crown molding that makes a big visual impact.

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More on The Inspired Room:

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