How to Add Crown Molding to Your Apartment

Installing crown molding to an apartment can add a touch of elegance or dramatic detail to any room. Crown molding can be a do-it-yourself project as long as you have some basic carpentry skills and the necessary tools.

For this project you will need the crown molding of your choice along with:

• a tape measure
• miter saw
• a coping saw
• nails
• a nail set
• hammer
• wood putty
• a ladder
• your choice of paint or stain for the molding

Preparing for the Project

Begin preparation by measuring the area, shopping for any necessary items and gathering materials. Add up the linear footage of each wall and then add ten percent to this amount to account for cuts and mistakes. Shop for the molding of your choice along with any other tools and materials needed. Crown molding is available in many different styles. Choose a molding appropriate for the rooms it will be installed in and be sure to take in to account what size of molding will look right in the room without overwhelming it. Choose a paint color or stain of your choice to go on the molding.

Getting Started

Paint or stain all pieces of crown molding. Allow the molding to dry completely before attempting installation. Use a stud finder to go along the top of the wall near the ceiling and mark the studs. Now that the molding is purchased and prepped you are ready to begin the project. Once you begin to install the molding, it should be nailed into place where the studs are marked on the wall. All nails throughout the project should be countersunk using the nail set to avoid leaving the nails exposed. Also consider drilling pilot holes in to the molding to prevent the wood from splitting when nailing it.

Installing the Crown Molding

The first piece of molding will be placed starting in a corner. Molding that is not long enough to extend the length of the wall should be cut on a 45 degree angle where it will meet the next piece which will be cut to meet that angle. This prevents the seams from showing where the pieces meet.

The next piece of molding to be placed should be the matching corner piece. In the corners you will need to use coping to make the pieces meet together neatly. The molding is placed in the miter saw upside down and cut at a 45 degree angle. Use the coping saw to carefully cut out the edge without cutting in to the facing of the molding. This should create a tight fit between the two corner pieces.

Continue placing molding, working out from the corner using these same instructions. Outside corner pieces will need to be cut at opposing angles to meet each other.

Finishing Details

Use wood putty to fill all nail holes after the project is complete and sand down to molding. Paint or stain over the putty when dry. Caulk can be used to fill in any gaps between the molding and ceiling if needed. Sit back and enjoy your handiwork and the new room you have created.