Want To DIY Your Crown Molding Installation? Then Follow These Steps

Crown molding is a popular addition to any room that can, unfortunately, be quite difficult to install.

In this article, we discuss 3 important steps to follow when working on your crown molding installation.

Even though this kind of project will challenge most amateur carpenters, and even some pros, there are some simple tips you can keep in mind to assist you throughout the process. We emphasize psychological methods that workers can use to foster the smoothest crown molding installation possible.

Set Your Intentions Clearly

This is something that many workers fail to do, and yet they often get frustrated when their intentions don’t manifest. It’s not enough to simply have intentions. You also have to set them clearly, as this triggers our internal reservoir or wisdom to wake up and assist us on our journey.

We recommend doing this first thing in the morning, as this is when we are freshest and most present. This will allow you to connect most deeply with your underlying needs and desires, allowing you to consciously express your goals.

Some people like to start off by meditating, as this can be a good way to quiet the mind and body before determining your path forward. Even though most workers don’t realize it, our actions are determined by the past intentions we have set.

Setting intentions is important not only because it keeps us grounded but because it literally shapes our future actions. We can only go after the things that we are aware of, and meditation is one way of bringing our desires into our awareness.

When it comes to crown molding, your intentions might take many forms.

Many homeowners install their own crown molding because it elevates a room in their house. Many homeowners claim that the right crown molding can make a room appear more sophisticated and elegant. Placed in the right location, crown molding can serve as a focal point that draws visitor’s eyes and subtly influences them.

Alternatively, some homeowners are interested in installing crown molding solely because it increases the value of their home.

Regardless of why you install crown molding, you should genuinely reflect on what you want to accomplish with your DIY installation.

Once you can tangibly state this, we recommend filtering it through many forms. This could be through the written language as well as some kind of visual representation. Many carpenters like to list their goals on a white board, for example, as this constantly reminds them what they are striving for.

Get into Flow While Working

Flow is a state of consciousness in which we feel our best and perform our best. There are many Flow triggers that can incite this state and lead to increased productivity in the workplace.

When it comes to DIY crown molding installation, getting into flow is paramount in order to make your project as efficient as possible. Without flow, it might be the case that your project takes much longer than anticipated.

In addition to setting clear goals, some flow triggers include exercise, high consequences, good communication, and serious concentration.

The writer Steven Kotler has described someone who is flourishing in a state of flow as practically Superman. In fact, one of Kotler’s books on Flow is called “The Rise of Superman”.

In this sense, we recommend that workers do everything they can to engender these flow triggers before they begin their project.

Some Examples of Flow in Crown Molding

Crown molding entails many tasks where optimal hand-eye coordination is critical, as even a minor error could impact the entire project.

For example, part of DIY crown molding installation entails not only sourcing the material used for the molding but also cutting it according to precise dimensions. Many workers prefer to use a power miter to do this. Many of these also allow workers to attach some kind of vacuum, making clean-up extremely easy.

If you aren’t in flow when using a power miter, then each cut you make will be overthought and unconfident. Additionally, each cut you make will be less efficient than if you were in a state of Flow.

One way you can facilitate Flow while operating a power miter is to keep your workstation as quiet as possible.

Some workers like to play music. However, we generally don’t recommend this when using loud tools like a power miter. The noises that these tools produce already dominate our consciousness and lead to enhanced concentration, which is one trigger for Flow.

Adding external music to the mix could result in a disharmony that disrupts our Flow.

In this sense, the noises that will be produced from your work will act as a kind of soundtrack that shape your actions.

We advise viewing the sounds produced by the tools you use as music, as this will allow you to connect with these sounds on a deeper level. This will lead to a deep level of focus, which will trigger a Flow state, which leads to more focus, and so on.

Also, some workers like to only buy the exact amount of material they need to create the crown molding. While this might seem counterintuitive, it can actually create high stakes in which any error requires you to go out and acquire more material, which might not always be feasible. These high consequences are actually one trigger for Flow.

This is not hard to understand. Think about how professional athletes are able to perform their best in the highest-pressure moments. Essentially, the high stakes trigger a Flow state and lead to an optimal state of consciousness.

When installing crown molding, we recommend viewing the project in a similar way that a professional athlete would view his game. That means approaching each cut as a play that you must execute in order to be successful. Ultimately, this will enhance your crown molding installation and lead to a stunning interior of your home.

Take Breaks and Nourish Yourself

Crown molding installation can entail long hours of concentration in which every detail is important and frequent measurements are taken.

This can take its toll on even the most resilient carpenters.  We recommend taking many breaks throughout your project, especially if you are working in the summer. Hot weather can make installing crown molding almost unbearable unless you take frequent breaks to rehydrate and refuel.

If at all possible, we recommend starting your project early in the morning or late in the day if working during hot weather.

Furthermore, we recommend eating a light meal beforehand, as this will prevent you from being hungry during your first period of work. Eating light foods will also prevent you from feeling weighed down throughout your work, which can impact your productivity.

Thus, we think fresh fruits are likely the best pre-molding meal. Not only is fruit high in calories but it also has a high water-content and many vitamins and minerals.

This means you should have tons of energy throughout your project without ever crashing due to indigestion or fatigue. Many overly refined foods like some pastas and breads can lead to crashes during your project which will require you to temporarily stop whatever task you are doing.

This bring us to an important point, namely that all breaks are not created equal. If you decide to break mid-Flow, then your break might disturb your productivity and result in a compromised crown molding installation. Just imagine taking a professional basketball player out of the game at the last minute even though he scored the previous 15 points.

On the other hand, taking a break at the ideal time will actually increase your productivity, as you will return to your project refreshed and reenergized.

Determining this right time can be difficult. Our best advice for knowing when to break is to stay present in the moment.  Your intuition should guide you when it’s time to break and eating fruit will only enhance your intuition.

Conversely, when you eat refined foods like pasta and bread, your body responds to the food in a way outside of your control. This is why people usually feel tired after eating these foods. Yet, this means your break will likely be a function of your diet rather than your intuition. This will ultimately disturb your Flow state and make it that much harder to hit the ground running when you do resume your crown molding.

Our Final Thoughts on Crown Molding

We think far too many guides for crown molding installation focus on technical jargon and arcane carpentry concepts.

While this language might be appropriate for some workers, we think people also crave psychological tips for ensuring the smoothest, most satisfying experience possible.

Many workers don’t realize it, but crown molding installation is a form of art. As such, crown molders should be considered artists. Anyone helping a crown molder should be considered a collaborator.

Yet, the arts are traditionally mired in conflict. Even though artists are highly esteemed in society, they must withstand many powerful, challenging experiences. Indeed, it’s these experiences that usually provide the inspiring material for their art.

In this sense, crown molding installation carries much risk for internal psychological conflict, making it critical that workers read this guide before beginning their DIY project.

Essentially, as long as you set your intentions clearly, engender a state of flow, and take breaks at the ideal time, your crown molding installation will lead to an architectural work of art.

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