Unify Your Client’s Kitchen Design with Crown Molding

Crown molding can be the final finishing touch for any kitchen design, smoothing the transition between the ceiling and the wall or between the top of cabinets and the ceiling. Whether molding provides an elaborate look or is relatively simple, it can complete the design of any kitchen cabinetry and support the selected décor theme.

Styles of Crown Molding

Several molding styles exist, including crown, stacked, and stepped. Each one offers various uses and design characteristics, such as:

• Traditional crown molding: This molding is uniform and can be used to fill space between upper kitchen cabinets and the ceiling.

• Stacked molding: It is made up of backer boards and accent pieces, works well when the ceilings are so high that the gap between the cabinets and ceiling is not easily filled.

• Stepped crown molding: This molding type is similar to the stacked version, but it is not constructed of various pieces of molding adhered together. Stepped crown molding allows the tops of cabinets to appear in varying heights, as in a stair step type of pattern.

Edge, light, shoe, and bottom molding are all forms of molding applied to other parts of the cabinet besides the top. Their uses include:

• Edge molding:  It can be applied to the outside edge of cabinets and to shelving. Edge molding not only provides a unique look to kitchen cabinets, but it can also structurally reinforce shelving and allow it to support more weight.

• Light molding: This molding is often placed on the bottom of cabinets for the purpose of hiding any under cabinet lighting,

• Shoe molding: The best use for shoe molding is to place it at the very bottom of cabinets where they meet the floor.

• Bottom molding: Bottom molding can give cabinets the appearance of flowing seamlessly into the floor.

Additional types of molding can be applied to other interior areas of the house. Examples are:

• Interior molding, which is often used where the ceiling meets the top of a wall.

• Applied molding, which is adhered directly to a non-cabinet surface, like a range hood or something similar.

Considerations When Deciding on Crown Molding

Molding for your kitchen can vary in cost, so it is important to consider your budget. The more molding you use, the greater the cost will be. More complicated molding designs, such as stacked or stepped, will also carry a greater expense than traditional crown molding. Whichever style you choose, molding is an excellent way to provide a refined touch to your kitchen design, and it is one that can pull all elements of a home together.