DIY Installing Crown Molding Lighting

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• Crown Molding Installation
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Installing crown molding lighting like this can greatly enhance home decor. Using rope lighting in combination with standard crown molding makes this a simple do it yourself project to bring out the beauty of any room. See Crown Molding Installation for help cutting and installing the molding.

What You'll Need to Install String Lighting

This is a surprisingly easy improvement, simply glue a ¾ or 1 inch square strip of molding to the ceiling edge of standard crown molding and then hang it upside down. The molding is installed in reverse because the ceiling edge has a thick wall as compared to the wall edge and can hold the weight of the "floating" molding.

The space added with the strip allows room for a string of small lights to rest behind the molding, adding a subtle illumination to accent the room. The lights are plugged into an electrical receptacle located behind the molding. The power to the receptacle is controlled by a wall switch. The addition of a rheostat will make it possible to dim the lights for added effect.

Plan to hang the molding a minimum of 5 inches from the ceiling (pictured). Final placement is not set in stone but 5 to 8 inches is usually a good location. Hang the molding lower if desired but don't go overboard and remember to allow for window and door frames when considering where to place the lighting.

Install the Electrical Source

Determine a convenient place to install a new outlet box so it will be hidden by the molding. The power to the outlet will be controlled by a switch, so choose a location that will make it easy to run the new wiring required. Using the power source at the current switch location will make the job easier. Remove the single outlet box that houses the current room switch and add a double–gang box. If the switch box has a hot wire, split the electrical source to serve both switches. If there is no hot source wire, go to Add New Wiring for help with finding an electrical source and running new cable.

Install a standard 120–volt receptacle in the new outlet box. To allow for lowering the lights, install a rheostat in the switch box. Otherwise, a regular toggle switch will do. See the Wiring Receptacles and Wiring Switches pages for more information. Run the cable as illustrated here and wire the circuit.

Assemble the Molding

To install the molding, start by gluing a ¾ or 1 inch square strip of wood molding to the ceiling edge of standard crown molding. Apply a good wood glue to the edges of the molding and the strip. Align the pieces so they are flush and form a smooth union along the bottom.

Clamp the two pieces together using small spring clamps or nail them together using a pneumatic nail gun and 1¼ to 1½ inch finishing nails. Space the fasteners every 8 to 12 inches to keep the strip and molding aligned while the glue dries. Let the glue set for several hours or overnight. Sand or plane the bottom edge of the molding where the two boards meet to smooth out any misalignment.

Locate the wall framing and mark the center of each stud along the wall. At the same time mark the location for the bottom of the molding on the wall. To find the studs, tap across the wall and listen for a difference in the sound produced. In general a hollow sound indicates a space behind the wall. The difference between the hollow sound and the sharper sound of hitting the wall over the studs, gives one a rough idea of the location of the framing. Use a drill and an eighth inch bit to bore into the wall where you expect to find the stud. If the drill passes straight thru missing the stud, keep drilling at one inch intervals until you hit wood.

Install the Molding and Lights

Use the Installing Crown Molding directions to cut and install the molding. Use at least 2½ inch finishing nails and caulk the molding edge to fasten it to the wall. Remember to treat the added wood strip as the wall edge of the molding for measuring and cutting purposes.

With the molding nailed in place, wipe off any caulk that squeezes onto the wall right away so that it doesn't have time to set. See Caulking Techniques for help with caulking trim. Install a string of lights long enough to go around the whole room. Plug two strings together if necessary.