11 Spiffy Designs for Ceiling Mouldings
Browse through these moulding design types to add style and substance to your ceiling
Ceiling mouldings can be used as much in modern and contemporary interiors as they were in traditional homes. Moulding, be it in plaster, wood, PVC or any other material, provides a decorative element that can transform a plain ceiling into something of a head-turner (literally). Here are a few ceiling mouldings and trims that provide just the finishing touch needed to complement the rest of the room.
Just like other trim elements, the choice of profile, size and colour are unlimited. Here, in this pink and grey bathroom, the crown moulding repeats the soft powder pink of the lower half, creating an appealing contrast with the grey upper walls and ceiling. The thin line below adds visual movement and interest.
2. Ceiling medallions
A ceiling medallion, as the name suggests, is a decorative disc on the ceiling. Traditionally paired with a chandelier with the purpose of protecting the ceiling from candle burns, today you can pair it with a light fixture or ceiling fans or even let it stand alone. Boring light fixtures become unique decorative details, adding style as well as depth.
Tip: A medallion should be about the same diameter as the light fixture that will hang under it, but it can be smaller than a fan.
Browse more photos of ceiling mouldings
A ceiling medallion, as the name suggests, is a decorative disc on the ceiling. Traditionally paired with a chandelier with the purpose of protecting the ceiling from candle burns, today you can pair it with a light fixture or ceiling fans or even let it stand alone. Boring light fixtures become unique decorative details, adding style as well as depth.
Tip: A medallion should be about the same diameter as the light fixture that will hang under it, but it can be smaller than a fan.
Browse more photos of ceiling mouldings
3. Tray ceilings
The name comes from the fact that it looks like an inverted tray. Also called a recessed ceiling, it sits higher than the surrounding ceiling. Tray ceilings can be either suspended or ‘dropped, or inverted or raised’. Its unique form lends itself to various possibilities of decoration. Also called a recessed ceiling, it sits higher than the rest of the ceiling Tray ceilings can be either suspended or “dropped”, or inverted or “raised”. It’s unique form gives itself to various possibilities in decoration. Depending on the mood you are trying to create, tray ceilings can be subtle, dramatic or ornate.
Tip: Install cove lighting around the edges of the tray to give the room a soft, radiant ambience.
The name comes from the fact that it looks like an inverted tray. Also called a recessed ceiling, it sits higher than the surrounding ceiling. Tray ceilings can be either suspended or ‘dropped, or inverted or raised’. Its unique form lends itself to various possibilities of decoration. Also called a recessed ceiling, it sits higher than the rest of the ceiling Tray ceilings can be either suspended or “dropped”, or inverted or “raised”. It’s unique form gives itself to various possibilities in decoration. Depending on the mood you are trying to create, tray ceilings can be subtle, dramatic or ornate.
Tip: Install cove lighting around the edges of the tray to give the room a soft, radiant ambience.
Tray ceilings can also have many layers (or steps). The more the layers, more attention it draws. Layered trays work best in large rooms, seeming to lower the ceiling and making the room seem cosier.
4. Coffered ceilings
A coffered ceiling has recessed panels, usually square or rectangular in shape, defined by a grid-like framework. By painting it a uniform white and keeping it neutral, the ceiling here commands presence without overwhelming the room.
A coffered ceiling has recessed panels, usually square or rectangular in shape, defined by a grid-like framework. By painting it a uniform white and keeping it neutral, the ceiling here commands presence without overwhelming the room.
Painting the panels in between the grids produces spectacular results, bringing rich colour and pattern to the ceiling while still preserving an air of orderliness. A coffered ceiling like this makes a great upgrade for a minimalistic dining room, bringing balance, cosiness and sophistication, while defining a point to hang a chandelier.
See how to amp up with false ceilings
See how to amp up with false ceilings
5. Straight lines for modern homes
Even just a few strips in a simple shape or pattern can bring a sense of sophistication to a ceiling. The effect is subtle and is well-suited to a more formal room design. The straight lines beautifully frame a ceiling light and bring a sense of order and polish to this sitting room.
Tip: Generally with thin mouldings like this (2 inches wide or less), paint them the same as the rest of the ceiling, so the mouldings remain a subtle element of architectural texture.
Even just a few strips in a simple shape or pattern can bring a sense of sophistication to a ceiling. The effect is subtle and is well-suited to a more formal room design. The straight lines beautifully frame a ceiling light and bring a sense of order and polish to this sitting room.
Tip: Generally with thin mouldings like this (2 inches wide or less), paint them the same as the rest of the ceiling, so the mouldings remain a subtle element of architectural texture.
6. Intricate patterns
This elegant sitting room is adorned with a sinuous, one-of-a-kind plaster relief. In this room the ceiling takes centre stage; more so as there are no other distracting design accessories. The sultry grey wall colour complements the snowy ceiling and marble mantel, as do the dark-stained, wide-plank oak floors.
This elegant sitting room is adorned with a sinuous, one-of-a-kind plaster relief. In this room the ceiling takes centre stage; more so as there are no other distracting design accessories. The sultry grey wall colour complements the snowy ceiling and marble mantel, as do the dark-stained, wide-plank oak floors.
7. Coloured trims
Of course, not all moulding and trim has to be white and bright; make a real statement with a white room and bold, contrasting trim. This room works especially well because the starkness of the black and white is softened by the wooden doors. The black ceiling trims in terms of colour and pattern are reflected in the floor design, creating a sense of cohesiveness.
Of course, not all moulding and trim has to be white and bright; make a real statement with a white room and bold, contrasting trim. This room works especially well because the starkness of the black and white is softened by the wooden doors. The black ceiling trims in terms of colour and pattern are reflected in the floor design, creating a sense of cohesiveness.
The white trim in this dining room stands out in a sea of blue – it’s a look that is simple and chic. By employing simple tricks like this to your ceiling, you can create a sophisticated and attractive focal point in any room.
8. Mixed mouldings
There’s nothing to stop you from having more than one type of decorative ceiling trim. An intricate ceiling medallion and a decorative crown moulding calls for a light fixture that is equally ornate, such as a crystal chandelier. This room with its eight-pointed lace-like ceiling rose, delicate statement light and intricate crown moulding is outstanding; all the elements are stunning in their beauty, yet not over the top.
There’s nothing to stop you from having more than one type of decorative ceiling trim. An intricate ceiling medallion and a decorative crown moulding calls for a light fixture that is equally ornate, such as a crystal chandelier. This room with its eight-pointed lace-like ceiling rose, delicate statement light and intricate crown moulding is outstanding; all the elements are stunning in their beauty, yet not over the top.
This ceiling here is on simpler lines, with the medallion sitting perfectly in the midst of the geometric pattern. The bulbous chandelier complements the medallion in its form and design, bringing a supremely elegant look to the living room.
9. Trompe l’oeil ceilings
Artful designs of ceiling mouldings can reinforce a room’s focal point by creating a sort of trompe l’oeil effect. The quatrefoil or four-leaved design element here gives the impression of a tray ceiling. This can be especially worthwhile in a room with a high ceiling. The trim reinforces the upper reaches of the space and leads the eye to a gathering spot.
Artful designs of ceiling mouldings can reinforce a room’s focal point by creating a sort of trompe l’oeil effect. The quatrefoil or four-leaved design element here gives the impression of a tray ceiling. This can be especially worthwhile in a room with a high ceiling. The trim reinforces the upper reaches of the space and leads the eye to a gathering spot.
On a similar note, the painted box mouldings here look like a coffered ceiling.
Tip: Use new lightweight products like PVC and urethane, which can be easily moulded into any size and shape.
Tip: Use new lightweight products like PVC and urethane, which can be easily moulded into any size and shape.
10. Stencilled highlights
This is the perfect example of using the ceiling as your fifth wall. The detailed stencils here bring attention to the beautiful mouldings in this room. Given the room’s height, the stencil is a smart inclusion that gives the room a nice sense of scale.
This is the perfect example of using the ceiling as your fifth wall. The detailed stencils here bring attention to the beautiful mouldings in this room. Given the room’s height, the stencil is a smart inclusion that gives the room a nice sense of scale.
11. Contemporary designs
This splendid contemporary house pays homage to simple ceiling tracery. Using a range of white tones throughout the walls and ceiling, creates an extremely elegant and serene space, despite the non-uniformity of the moulding design.
Read more:
7 Ceiling Designs That Will Make You Look Up and Gasp
Which False Ceiling Material is Better: Gypsum or POP?
Tell us:
Which of these ceiling mouldings did you like? Give us your opinion in the Comments section below.
This splendid contemporary house pays homage to simple ceiling tracery. Using a range of white tones throughout the walls and ceiling, creates an extremely elegant and serene space, despite the non-uniformity of the moulding design.
Read more:
7 Ceiling Designs That Will Make You Look Up and Gasp
Which False Ceiling Material is Better: Gypsum or POP?
Tell us:
Which of these ceiling mouldings did you like? Give us your opinion in the Comments section below.
This is the most common form of ceiling trim, also known as cornice moulding. In addition to being an embellishment, it also provides decorative relief and softens the transitions as it connects the wall to the ceiling. As the mouldings project from the wall, they can help create an optical illusion that the ceiling is higher than it actually is.