What Are Cabinet Moldings?
According to the latest cost vs value report, even a minor kitchen remodel can net you an ROI of 71.2% if you decide to sell your home.
That means you can get most of your money back without spending a fortune on upgrading your kitchen. Even small fixes like replacing countertops, repainting cabinet doors, and replacing cabinet moldings can help increase the value of your home.
If you’re not intending to sell anytime soon, there’s no doubt your family will benefit from a spruced-up kitchen for mealtimes and chats over a cup of coffee.
Keep reading to find out more about cabinet moldings and how to choose the best ones for your home.
What Are Cabinet Moldings?
If you take a look around your home, you’ll notice there’s a strip of wood fixed where your walls meet your floors. These decorative strips are molding.
Cabinet molding is the same thing, except it applies to the area where your cabinets meet your floors and walls. They give your room a custom-finished appearance.
In some cases, they also prevent debris from escaping out of reach into the narrow gap between your cabinets and floor.
Crown molding is a classic type of finish that’s been around since ancient times. It was originally used to embellish Greek and Roman buildings.
Up until a few decades ago, crown molding remained an expensive, high-end fixture reserved for the most luxurious homes. Now, thanks to mass production and more affordable materials, you can afford to add these elite finishing touches to your home, too.
Which Type of Molding Suits Your Kitchen Cabinets?
Some types of prefabricated kitchen cabinets come with molding to suit their style and design. In other cases, you’ll need to choose the best option for your kitchen.
In these cases, these are the things to consider:
- Style of your kitchen cabinets
- The overall design of your kitchen
- Any gaps left after cabinet installation
Choosing the right type of molding can help give even the cheapest kitchen cabinets a luxe look and when paired with a coat of paint, it can breathe new life into your existing cabinets, too.
Create a cohesive look by matching the types of molding you choose for your kitchen.
These are the most popular types of cabinet moldings:
Base Molding
Base molding works the same as floor molding to add detail to the foot of your cabinets. Usually, the thicker edge of this molding faces upward, to create architectural interest and create a foundation for your cabinets.
Toe Kick Molding
This molding covers the toe space of the cabinets. It conceals the underside of the cabinet but isn’t thick enough to line up with the cabinet door. This creates more room for your toes, allowing you to stand closer to the cabinet while preparing meals.
Toe kick molding is both functional and decorative. You can choose a wood color that matches your cabinets, or use a contrasting color to create interest.
Fillers
Fillers work to cover up unplanned space, usually where the cabinet meets the wall. You can also add it to your cabinets to prevent the doors and drawers from hitting the wall when you open them.
It’s a minor detail, but it prevents scratches on your walls and doors and allows for easy opening of every cabinet.
Light Rail Molding
This molding fits onto the base of cabinets above the counter. It conceals the globes and any wiring associated with under-counter lighting.
A light rail neatens the appearance of your cabinets while reducing glare.
Dentil Molding
Dentil molding is mostly a decorative component, It goes at the top of your cabinets and around ceilings and doors. Each block must fit flush with the next and have equal spacing.
It’s best to get a professional installer to set up this type of molding for you, as there are a lot of precise measurements involved.
Scribe Molding
These thin pieces of time cover gaps between your cabinets and the wall. They’re especially good for concealing visible inconsistencies noted after you’ve installed your cabinets.
Unevenness in the walls is common in historical homes, but scribe molding helps hide these iniquities.
Crown Molding
Crown molding goes at the top of your cabinets. It’s a decorative element that draws the eye up and makes your kitchen ceiling appear taller.
You can bond your crown molding to the ceiling, or allow for space above the cabinet. If you live in a home with very high ceilings, it’s best to plan for a large gap above the molding, so you don’t install your cabinets out of reach.
Riser Molding
These thin strips of wood help fill in the gaps if your molding doesn’t quite reach the ceiling. It often has decorative elements carved into it to create a neat appearance.
Riser molding help protect the areas above your cupboard from dust if your crown molding isn’t quite tall enough.
Outside Corner Molding
This type of molding conceals the raw edges of your cabinets to add an air of sophistication to your kitchen. For the best effect, they must match the height and width of the molding across the width of your cabinets.
Would you like to see these types of cabinet finishes in action? Look here.
Better Interiors Add Value to Your Life
Cabinet moldings are an affordable way to finish off your kitchen design while upgrading its appearance. If you’ve ever looked at your kitchen and felt like something’s missing in the design, cabinet moldings will help fill that style gap.
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