skip to main content

Matching base moulding to door casing and crown

14 years ago

Hi everyone. I'm currently tiling and updating the laundry room in our 1980's home. All the base and door casing is standard builders grade clam stuff. I going to switch out the base as I go but I also want to switch out the door casing. In some rooms I'd also like to install crown (not all rooms as I've got a good number of areas that have vaults, weird angles etc).

I'm not really sure the best way to match the base to casing and also crown. What styles go together? My home is 1980's modern/contemporary. Some rounded walls, vaulted areas etc.

For the base I was considering something like this: http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Materials-Moulding-Millwork-Moulding/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg4Zara1Z1z141ez/R-100321371/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Thanks in advance!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

worthy
14 years ago
Base and casing are normally matched, but I've never heard of crown having to.

Unless your home is minimalist, I would suggest some more interest in the base/casings. Check out a local lumberyard for more variety. No matter what style you choose, 4 inches is pretty chintzy looking. Go at least 5 inches. Glad to see you're using real wood.
worthy
14 years ago
Suggestion: since you're retiling, for the laundry room consider tile baseboards.
Related Discussions
Yet another crown and base mouldings question
Q
Comments (3)
Palimpsest, Thanks for clarifying the visual aspect. Using the same dimensions for moulding makes sense now. I'll have to take off the crown from the bookcases in order to get the new moulding to fit, but that's ok. I think I'll be okay with having medium dark poplar crown covering dark mahogany bookcases. But what do you think? My mock-up is equivocal insofar as covering the bookcases looks better than coping the new crown to meet the bookcase crowns. I won't replace the base moulding on the bookcases because of the current height and presence of airvents. You've been a great help. If you have any other comments or suggestions, please advise.
...See More
question re: crown molding and base molding on new kitchen
Q
Comments (1)
You may want to post your question on the Home Decorating forum. I think you'll get a lot more response. The base molding often matches the trim around your doors and windows and crown molding color can vary depending on the wall color. Posting pics of your cabinets and flooring will help. Here is a link that might be useful: Home Decor Forum
...See More
Help! Crown molding vs. Window casings
Q
Comments (6)
I can't find the exact picture I am looking for. I don't care for the idea of not using crown on that wall. It will looked unfinished IMO. I would trim those two windows in a flat stock like the attached photo in a bungalow/craftsman style and make the top flat pediment large enough to go up high enough that the crown will run around it. So the two are incorporated together. This is the type casing I am referring to. Just can't find one that goes to the ceiling. https://www.houzz.com/photos/lincoln-road-farmhouse-kitchen-boston-phvw-vp~5759870
...See More
Easy DIY Crown Moulding To Match Stained Wood Cabinets/Trim/Etc
Q
Comments (10)
Michele, for the closet, I had an old Frazee paint chip color wheel and selected the color Mythic Fire,7796N. If you are going to try this project, you should probably get a color wheel and find the best undertone match for the wood you want to match, or take a sample of the wood to the paint store to look at chips if you don't have a wheel. What matched for my stained cherry wood may not be the best match for your wood or stain color. Good luck!
...See More
dwalls32
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for your reply.

I'm ok with getting them to match, but I'm having trouble determining what goes together. It seems casing is typically more ornate than base which is ok. What styles are considered a "match". What should I be looking for?

Tile sounds pretty cool for the baseboards, but this is a small room and is my first time doing them and it's a project I've been looking forward to. No turning back now!

Thanks again!
brickeyee
14 years ago
Ranch case and clam shell base are a plainer pair.

Colonial case and more ornate base are another.

A real lumberyard should have samples or a booklet with available molding that you can select from.

There is a large price difference between paint grade (often with finger joints) and stain grade (no joints allowed), and poplar is more expensive than pine.

Hardwood (cherry, oak, Gum, poplar, ash, mahogany, etc) molding can be very expensive (especially in wider sizes) since outside of poplar it is always stain grade and require clear wood to manufacture.

Over the years molding has gotten plainer and narrower.
Older door casing was often built up from a couple pieces and could be over 1.5 inches at its thickest and 6+ inches wide.
The same applies to base molding and crown.
Larger crown can have pine filler behind it to provide a nailing surface for the 'show' wood.

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Crown Molding: Is It Right for Your Home?

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

See how to find the right trim for the height of your ceilings and style of your room

REMODELING GUIDES Frame Your Views With Great Moldings and Casings

By Scheer & Co. Interior Design

How to Work With Trim to Give Your Space Depth and Interest

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Molding Types to Raise the Bar on Your Kitchen Cabinetry

By The Inman Company

Customize your kitchen cabinets the affordable way with crown, edge or other kinds of molding

REMODELING GUIDES How to Size Interior Trim for a Finished Look

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

There's an art to striking an appealing balance of sizes for baseboards, crown moldings and other millwork. An architect shares his secrets

COLOR 11 Terrific Paint Color Matches for Wood Details

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Pair your wood trim and cabinets with the right shade of wall paint to bring out the beauty in both

CEILINGS Go Beyond the White Ceiling

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

Molding offers a chance to crown your room with color

TRIM Molding: Add Texture by Detailing Your Detail

By Shawn Gauthier

Take the Architectural Accent to the Next Level with These Extra Elements

KITCHEN DESIGN Mix and Match Kitchen Materials for a Knockout Design

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Give your kitchen unexpected flavor by combining wood, stone, glass and more. Here’s how to get the mix right

REMODELING GUIDES Design Details: Moldings — or Not?

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

16 new and unusual ways to trim your doors, floors and ceilings

REMODELING GUIDES The Case for Waiting to Remodel

By Laura Gaskill

We know, you're excited to make your home match your vision. But your vision may change once you've lived there awhile

Sponsored

RTS Home Solutions

3 Reviews

BIA of Central Ohio Award Winning Contractor

More Discussions

waterfall countertop for kitchen island … made from wood

15

bathroom remodel choices

9

Help finding discount Kraftmaid dealers online

2

any ideas for this ugly entry?

0

help with flooring ideas for 2nd floor and stairs

2