How to Install Crown Moulding to a Coffered Ceiling
August 27, 2021
By: The Finished Space
If you want to add a touch of texture and dimension to your space, coffered ceilings are a terrific way to accomplish your design goals. Many coffered ceilings also include crown moulding, which adds even more intrigue and beauty to this ceiling feature.
As a result, many people wonder how to install crown moulding to their coffered ceiling. The good news is that it isn’t as hard as you’d think it would be.
Here’s everything you need to know about adding crown moulding to coffered ceilings:
The Appeal of Coffered Ceilings
Valentino Homes and Developments
Coffered ceilings, also sometimes called sunken ceilings, are a beautiful addition to any home. Traditionally, coffered ceilings look like a grid created by criss crossing beams and panels. Generally, they involve recessed square panels on the ceiling.
These days, coffered ceilings don’t always have to be squared. Many people choose diamonds, octagons, or other intricate geometric patterns instead.
Coffered ceilings can look terrific in any room, and they can serve numerous purposes. For instance, installing big panels to cover a large area creates the illusion of more space. Smaller panels create the look of texture.
Today, homeowners and designers add coffered ceilings to living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and more. However, since the beams from coffered ceilings do hang downward, it’s important to reserve coffered ceilings for rooms that have higher ceilings – nine feet higher or taller tends to work the best. Otherwise, the room can feel crowded!
Another essential part of coffered ceilings is the crown moulding, which can add another dimension to the ceiling. The crown moulding adds ornamentation to what would otherwise be just squares on the ceiling.
5 Steps for Installing Crown Moulding to Coffered Ceilings
If you’re like most people, you’re wondering how to install crown moulding to a coffered ceiling. You might be surprised to learn you can typically install crown moulding to coffered ceilings like you would in any room.
It’s all about measuring and mitering the corners, just like any other installation. In other words, installing crown moulding on a coffered ceiling won’t differ from a typical installation.
However, you will need quite a bit more crown moulding in order to get the job done! That’s because rather than applying the crown along the outside edges of the room, you’ll have to apply it along the edges and corners of every recessed square (or other geometric shape).
Here are the basic steps for installing crown moulding to a coffered ceiling:
1. Measure and Mark
Decide where and how you’re placing your crown moulding pieces. You’ll likely be putting them on the inside edges of every square (or shape). Measure and mark where the moulding will go with a pencil.
2. Cut Your Pieces
This is the trickiest part of any crown moulding installation because you must understand how your crown pieces fit together before you cut. First, you’ll need to figure out where your squares’ inside corners are in order to create inside corner cuts. To do this, you will use a miter saw to cut at a forty-five-degree angle. For the outside corners, you’ll cut the opposite direction at forty-five degrees, so the corners fit together at a perfect ninety-degree angle.
3. Test it Out
Be sure all your pieces fit together before jumping to install. If anything needs to be recut, do it during this step.
4. Install the Moulding
Now, you can use nails or glue to attach your moulding to each section of your coffered ceiling. Wipe away any extra glue, and be sure to sand the joints until they’re smooth.
5. Add the Finishing Touches
Add putty to cover up nail holes and caulk along the top and bottom of the crown moulding to make sure it’s flush with your coffered ceiling. Sand any excess putty once it’s dry. Then, paint or stain your moulding and coffered ceilings to finish off your look.
Choosing the Perfect Crown Moulding for Your Coffered Ceilings
The right crown moulding for your coffered ceilings will depend on a lot of factors. For one, you have to consider the room’s aesthetic. If the room is minimalistic, you will want to choose an understated crown moulding to complement the existing design.
The other thing to consider is the size and complexity of the coffered ceiling. If you get crown moulding that’s too thick, it could throw off the dimensions of the coffered ceiling.
Additionally, you won’t want to choose a crown with an extravagant profile if you have tiny squares.
Ultimately, like choosing any finishing touch, it’s about choosing the most complementary crown moulding for your taste and design goals.
If you aren’t sure which crown moulding is right for your coffered ceilings, we can help. Our Option {M} system helps match you with your design aesthetic and the perfect finishing touches to complement your taste.
