This Cheap Paint DIY Faked Crown Molding So Convincingly

Crown molding can make a room feel instantly more finished and give it that old-world charm. Sadly, though, not every apartment comes with this charming architectural detail, and adding the real thing can get pricey quickly while involving a lot of time and tools. But multidisciplinary artist Maggie Beckett found a cheap, seriously clever way to mimic a crown molding that’s a bit more modern and eye-catching — and it only involves three items. 

To say Maggie is good at painting is an understatement. In fact, most of the walls in her Brooklyn apartment (which is so good it’s been featured on Apartment Therapy twice!) are covered with hand-painted murals. But what makes this painting trick stand out is the simplicity; you don’t have to be on Maggie’s level to get the look. 

To copy Maggie’s unique faux crown molding, which is essentially a somewhat thick line a few inches from the ceiling, you only need three items: paint, tape, and a paintbrush. One of Maggie’s biggest challenges when reimagining her apartment was sticking to a budget. Instead of installing wood trim around the ceiling, a continuous thick line in Benjamin Moore’s Spicy Mustard draws guests’ eyes upward. 

Maggie’s apartment is only 320-square-feet large (and that’s shared between two people), so it’s important to make it feel as spacious as possible. Painting the line almost at the top of the wall accentuates just how tall the ceiling is, making the space feel airier overall. 

There are other ways to use paint to fake molding. Interior designer Orlando Soria recommends extending the white paint typically on ceilings a little further down to fake the look. Both Maggie and Orlando’s ideas add visual intrigue to your walls at little cost, while helping make the room look bigger.

Create a little drama and add an instant classic vibe to your room using just three items. It doesn’t require a huge spending spree or an artistic touch to get faux crown molding in your home. To see more of the gorgeous wall art in Maggie’s home, visit the full House Tour.