Crown molding is one of the more commonly talked about elements of interior decor and with good reason. It frames a room from above, tying together other trim pieces such as baseboard and wainscoting. It provides a smooth transition from the wall to the ceiling and hides uneven gaps. Depending on the design chosen, it is a mark of elegance in a home interior, exterior, or office space.

Naturally, the whole crown molding business is riddled with numerous myths and misconceptions that influence a buyer’s desire and willingness to make this addition to their space. Sometimes, it is difficult to separate what is true from utter hogwash.

In this article, we shall debunk five common myths about crown molding.

Myth #1: Crown molding must be uniform throughout the house

There is no specific limitation on the type of molding to put in the house. As with all else pertaining to a home, the level of creativity is purely at your discretion.

Every room tends to be different to accommodate the occupant’s individual taste- Little girls will probably prefer splashes of pink everywhere complete with Princess Sofia’s bedspreads. A young man on the other hand will be caught dead living in such a space.

Given this diversity, you are at liberty to pick out varying trim pieces. A general word of advice is that there needs to be a form of consistency to improve upon the overall finish of the home. To this, consider either maintaining the same design with varying sizes, or the same size with varying styles.

Myth #2: Crown molding must be white in color

White is often the go-to color for crown molding because it is classic, timeless, and versatile. White can literally be paired with any other wall color or wallpaper. It is also an easy option if you don’t want to think too hard about the shade to go with.

This notwithstanding, the crown molding hue does not have to be limited to white. For a subtle look, try a shade darker or lighter than the wall such as light gray crown molding laid against dark grey walls. For a more dramatic finish, opt for a splash of color on the crown molding against a simple wall background.

Myth #3: Crown molding is limited to specific ceiling heights

The general consensus is that taller ceiling heights go well with wider crown molding. A thin piece of molding on a high wall will be ‘swallowed up’ and hardly stand out. If anything, it will appear out of place. A relatively wide molding on a lower ceiling height may have the effect of dwarfing the room further and making it appear congested, especially if there is a lot of furniture in the room.

On the other hand, interior designers today argue that the ceiling height does not matter as long as you get the desired outcome. In this case, it is possible to have stacked up crown molding both in a large drawing room and in a smaller powder room as long as it was well thought out.

Additionally, having crown molding that projects beyond the wall in a room with a low ceiling gives off the illusion of a taller ceiling height and adds a spark of sophistication.

Myth #4: Any old crown molding will add value to your home

One of the perks of adding crown molding to your space is that it improves the value of the home. While there is truth to this, not every trim will actually achieve this. If anything, poor-quality molding will diminish the aesthetic appeal and therefore negatively impact the home’s desirability.

When picking out crown molding with the aim to increase your home’s worth, go for high-quality trim. Price is not always the best assessor for a product’s quality as it is possible to get good trim at a bargain. Instead, consider the material composition, its merits, and how durable it is.

DreamWall Decor’s crown molding is made from dense polyurethane that is moisture-resistant, light, and long-lasting. What’s more, it comes already pre-primed and is easy to install as long as you have the right tools.

Myth #5: Crown molding made out of wood is preferable to polyurethane crown molding

Wood has long been a beloved interior decor material. It gives the room a warm, earthy feel, making it even more comfortable. However, this is not to mean that wood crown molding is absolutely superior to polyurethane. On the contrary, wood carries some weaknesses that polyurethane overcomes.

Wood tends to absorb moisture and as such, is more prone to the growth of mold and mildew. It is also affected by extreme weather conditions; shrinking and expanding, warping and cracking as the temperature shifts between heat and cold.

Polyurethane on the other hand is designed to be impervious to moisture, mold, mildew, and rotting. It is also resistant to insect attacks. It does not warp or crack easily and will be hard-wearing. Clearly, there are ways in which it is actually better than wood crown molding.

Often, myths are derived from misinformation or from half-truths. When it comes to crown molding, these misconceptions tend to spring up from individual opinions and inconsistent advice and inevitably influence the choice of trim for a home. Now that we have demystified a few of these myths, perhaps you are more confident to get that piece of molding that you have been eyeing?