Molding Types that Raise the Bar for Your Kitchen Cabinetry
Moldings instantly provide a touch of class, especially in a kitchen. With the multitude of different configurations and designs available, crown molding, edge molding and more can help personalize your next kitchen project:
- Traditional crown molding. Traditional crown molding is the industry standard for kitchen cabinetry. It is most often seen filling the gap between the end of a cabinet and a ceiling. Empty spaces above a cabinet are common, as the distance between the cabinet and the ceiling fluctuates depending on ceiling height and cabinetry height.
- Stacked crown molding. For kitchens that have high ceilings, ‘stacked’ crown molding is often used. Crown molding fulfills more of a decorative function in these instances – often stacking on top of each other to create a uniform look.
- Stepped crown molding. This kitchen design uses upper cabinets in varying heights for a stepped look, and the molding has the same stepped appearance.
“To pull off this look, you may want professional help. The placement of each piece of molding needs to be precisely calculated, and the end of the molding needs to butt up against an adjacent wall or cabinet. It may sound easy, but it definitely isn’t.” – Houzz Ideabooks
- Interior crown molding. Usually placed around the perimeter of a kitchen’s ceiling, crown molding immediately draws the eye upward – as it integrates into the ceiling’s existing mold.
- Edge molding. Moldings can be added to almost every part of a cabinet or shelf. Decorative molding on open shelving not only adds a new design feature, but it can also add structural elements. Applying an edge molding to the outside edge of the shelf can prevent sagging.
- Light molding. Popularly known as a light rail, molding on the bottom of cabinets helps conceal under-cabinet lighting. Light molding offers huge impact for your dollar. It’s often available as a standard cabinetry feature in multiple styles and lengths, making it very affordable.
- Shoe molding. Shoe molding (sometimes known as quarter round) is applied to the perimeter of all the base cabinets here, connecting cabinetry to flooring. You can install shoe molding to match your cabinets, or to match your flooring.
- Applied molding. Molding on walls or built-in cabinetry is called applied molding, because the molding is adhered or applied to the surface.
“The most common area in the kitchen for applied molding is the surround for the range hood. This area is often a focal point, so it demands attention to detail. Molding is usually added to coordinate or match with the door style or surrounding motifs. Although it seems like a small detail, applied molding creates balance and cohesion.”
- Bottom molding. Molding at the bottom of the base cabinet doors and above the toe kick is known as a bottom molding.
