Free Shipping Over $3,000!

Cabinets Fit For Royalty, But Affordable For All!

10 Types of Kitchen Cabinet Molding for Your Home

By: Andrew Saladino | 4 min

Types of Kitchen Cabinet Molding Hero Image.

Cabinet molding can help customize your kitchen project by adding detail or the necessary support that your new kitchen cabinets need. You may have heard of how crown molding adds detail, but did you know that molding and trim can also help guarantee spacing alignment and ensure there is no exposed wood or noticeable sharp edges after installation?

To find the perfect cabinet molding for your kitchen, you'll want to coordinate it with the cabinet type and door style to verify that they complement each other. See below for 10 types of kitchen cabinet molding you can choose from for your renovation.

Crown Molding

Crown kitchen cabinet molding.

Crown molding is decorative trim that is added to the top of your cabinets. The benefit of installing crown molding is that it draws the eye upward, showcasing the elegance of your cabinets. Crown molding can either bond with the ceiling or allow for space above the cabinet. If you have high ceilings, we recommend leaving space below your ceiling so your cabinets aren't installed out of reach.

Light Rail Molding

Light rail kitchen cabinet molding.

Light rail molding, also called under cabinet molding, is used at the base of cabinets above the counter to help conceal the lighting under the cabinet. We suggest installing this type of kitchen cabinet molding for functionality, as it deflects the light glare while also adding a decorative touch. Make sure to choose a light rail molding that matches your cabinet crown molding to create a cohesive look.

Dentil Molding

Dentil kitchen cabinet molding.

Dentil molding is used as a decorative component on the top of your cabinets, usually around doors and ceilings. Each block is cut using exact measurements and installed to ensure the spacing is equal, so you'll want to double-check your measurements before ordering the molding. Dentil molding adds a vintage touch, perfect for anything from a craftsman kitchen to a traditional-style space.

Scribe Molding

Scribe kitchen cabinet molding.

Scribe molding is a thin piece of trim that covers any gaps between your cabinets and the wall. This is an easy way to hide any visible inconsistencies once your installation is complete. It's common for the walls and ceilings to be inconsistent if you're remodeling a cozy kitchen in a historic home, for example, so keep in mind that you might need to add scribe molding after the installation.

Outside Corner Molding

Outside corner kitchen cabinet molding.

Outside corner molding covers the raw edges of your cabinets with a decorative touch. You'll need to match the height and width of your corner pieces with the molding that's extending the width of your cabinets to make sure they're united. It's not required to install corner molding, but if you have a more traditional kitchen, it will add a touch of sophistication.

Riser Molding

Riser kitchen cabinet molding.

Riser molding helps raise the crown molding so it bonds with the ceiling. Some people like to show space above the cabinets to display decorative items, but if you'd rather avoid the buildup of dust, risers will help you close off the space if your crown molding isn't quite thick enough. You might also see this type of crown molding referred to as starter molding.

Base Molding

Base kitchen cabinet molding.

Base molding adds a unique detail at the foot of your cabinets, similar to the floor molding that's common in many homes. The proliferated edge of this type of kitchen cabinet molding typically faces up, introducing architectural interest and a foundation to your cabinets.

Toe Kick Molding

Toe kick kitchen cabinet molding.

Toe kick molding covers the exposed wood by the floor and allows your feet to stand closer to your workspace. This is important for functionality and ensures a clean design. You can either use the same wood as the rest of your cabinets or try an accent color or material. Toe kick molding adds a modern touch that works well in Mid-Century Modern kitchens, especially if you have slab cabinets.

Fillers

Kitchen cabinet fillers.

Fillers can either fill unplanned space where the cabinet meets the wall or can be added to avoid allowing the edge of the cabinet doors or drawers to hit the wall when opened. This may seem like a minor detail, but can help you utilize every cabinet properly.

Skin Panels

Two

If your new cabinets have unfinished sides, skin panels can help fix the problem. Skin panels are panels of plywood that come in any finish to match your cabinets. They're installed on any exposed edges so that each side of your cabinets look the same.

Once you have the style of your kitchen cabinets selected, keep these types of kitchen cabinet molding in mind before installation. If you notice some unexpected gaps or feel like your cabinets are lacking design elements, you can always introduce molding to your kitchen after the installation without needing to alter the cabinets themselves.

Kitchen Cabinet Molding FAQs

What is cabinet molding?

Similar to the molding you find where the wall meets the floor or ceiling, cabinet molding is a decorative piece of wood that gives cabinets a more custom finished appearance. It can be applied to the top, bottom, or any gaps between the cabinets and the wall.

How do you put molding on cabinets?

You can add molding to your cabinets in the same way you would install molding on your wall. Many cabinet companies sell pre-cut molding styles to fit the cabinets for sale, or you can purchase molding and make your own measurements and cuts. Then you simply have to nail and glue the molding in place, allowing the glue to dry overnight.

What is the trim on top of cabinets called?

There are several types of trim available for the top of kitchen cabinets. Crown molding and dentil molding are two of the most popular and can stand alone. To help connect your cabinets to the ceiling, you can also add rise molding beneath your crown molding.

How do you choose crown molding for kitchen cabinets?

When selecting molding for your cabinets, we suggest coordinating with your cabinet door style and material. For example, you can pair white shaker cabinets with white crown molding for a timeless style.

There are several types of crown molding for kitchen cabinets:

  • Traditional crown molding: adds angled edges to cabinets that resemble a crown
  • Stepped crown molding: features different heights for more dimension
  • Interior crown molding: is placed at the ceiling around the entire room to help blend cabinets in
  • Stacked crown molding: different types of molding are combined for a layered look.

Crown molding is a great way to add some extra detail to your kitchen, and you can even use it to incorporate an accent color if you've been eyeing trendy colorful kitchens on social media.

10 Types of Kitchen Cabinet Molding: Light Rail, Dentil, Scribe, Crown, Outside Corner, Riser, Base, Toe Kick, Fillers, and Skin Panels.
As Seen On
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On Grey's Anatomy
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings on HGTV
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings on DIY Network
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On Property Brothers
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On Apartment Therapy
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On BuzzFeed
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On Entrepreneur
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On Forbes
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On Huffington Post
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On SFGate
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On The Spruce
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On Yahoo!

Enter your email address and get 10% off your order. Enjoy exclusive access to special offers and news.

Connect with us

Please wait...

{{var product.name}} has been added to your cart

View cart & checkout Continue shopping