{"id":1442,"date":"2021-07-21T09:08:45","date_gmt":"2021-07-21T14:08:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/twomakeahome.com\/?p=1442"},"modified":"2021-07-21T09:29:35","modified_gmt":"2021-07-21T14:29:35","slug":"should-baseboards-and-crown-molding-match","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/twomakeahome.com\/should-baseboards-and-crown-molding-match\/","title":{"rendered":"Should Baseboards and Crown Molding Match?"},"content":{"rendered":"

My husband and I got into a pretty heated argument the other day. How essential is crown molding in a room? As a longtime fan of the finished, elegant look, I obviously took the pro side: crown molding makes<\/em> a room. He, on the other hand, argued about the cost, the difficulty installing, making it match the room, and what color it should be painted. His home growing up never had crown molding<\/a>, why should ours?<\/p>\n

Now, this conversation is petty, and I\u2019m lucky that my marital issues aren\u2019t worse. But this argument did bring up a good point: should the crown molding<\/a> match the other trim, like baseboards, in a room? Old school designers may scoff at the idea of mismatched colors and textures, but the truth is this is just a design myth. Baseboards and crown molding do not need to match in today\u2019s home designs.<\/p>\n

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There are two parts to this question we need to analyze. Matching is defined in two ways by designers: the type (meaning size and design) and the color (meaning the paint and finish). So, does anything really need to match each other to make a room look great? Let\u2019s consider the options.<\/p>\n

Purpose of Interior Trim<\/h2>\n

The argument with my husband aside, trim is an important part of the room for design and functionality. Around the doors, windows, and floors, trim covers the gaps left behind by construction. Even if this is insulated well, you\u2019ll notice that when you take it off that there is always a gap into the abyss of the house\u2019s framing.<\/p>\n

Personally, I always avoid those gaps when I\u2019m working on the house because who knows what dragon-bat may come flying out to take off my hand? Okay, clearly it would just be a spider, but fear is irrational. My fear shows a good point: trim is needed. It gives the room a finished look, while also keeping out creepy crawlies and blocking drafts.<\/p>\n

Crown molding, on the other hand, is not <\/em>needed. In fact, Mid 20th<\/sup>-Century homes<\/a> didn\u2019t use crown molding. It is expensive. It is sometimes difficult to install. And, if not done properly, it can look really bad (please don\u2019t tell my husband I admitted to all this). There is also no real functional purpose, since there are no gaps between the ceiling and the walls. However, just like trim, it finishes a room and adds a touch of elegance that is missing otherwise.<\/p>\n

Matching Baseboard and Crown Molding Style<\/h2>\n

There are so many versions of trim out there to experience. Depending on the look you\u2019re going for in the room, you\u2019ll likely want the crown molding and baseboards to all match that style. For instance, Modern farmhouses tend to use a wider, simpler design, while traditional Tudor homes tend to use a few sharp cuts with a wood stain. Some designers create their own trim by piecing together different sized moldings together.<\/p>\n

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Essentially, you want to try to match the style so the room is cohesive. Having a piece of crown molding with sharp angles but rounded window casings will look off. Try to match the mill work in style, if not exactly identical to make you room look professionally designed. Again, if you have the budget and resources, you could even seek a carpenter to create trim that has original millwork that will fit the exact style you want.<\/p>\n

Some types of popular trim styles include:<\/p>\n