CABINETRY 101: MOLD

No, not that type of mold! We’re talking about the molding around the tops and bottoms of your cabinetry. In addition to your door style, the molding is really what determines the style of your cabinetry, but it’s often a detail that gets overlooked until it’s time to actually pick it out. The choices can be overwhelming, so let’s dive in.

Here are the different types of molding:

CROWN MOLD

Depending on the height of your cabinets, the crown of the cabinets may tie into the crown mold of your ceiling OR you might choose a crown that is similar in style, but smaller than the crown in your home.

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Left: Crown mold that ties into the mold of your ceiling, Right: Crown mold that is similar in style, but smaller.

However, if you are going for a clean, contemporary look, you may not have any crown mold at all. A word of caution: If your cabinets go all the way to the ceiling, your ceiling needs to be perfectly level. While this sort of design may look very simple, it requires an extreme amount of precision. A “trick of the trade” is to use what we refer to as a “head mold” - a flat piece of trim at the top of your cabinets to help hide those imperfections.

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Left: No crown mold, Right: "Head mold" between cabinet and ceiling

And if your cabinets do not go all the way to the ceiling or your home does not have crown molding, the possibilities are endless!

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Right: Crown mold that doesn't quite go to ceiling, Center: Crown mold that ties into the ceiling; Left: Radius crown mold

LIGHT RAILING MOLD

The light rail molding does what the name implies - it goes on the bottom of your upper cabinets to hide the under cabinet lighting. Not all cabinets have light rail molding, and like the crown mold, the type of molding you use depends on the style of your cabinets, but it’s generally used on more traditional-style cabinetry for that extra bit of “fancy."

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Light rail mold hides under cabinet lighting.

BASE MOLD

Again, as the name implies, the base molding goes along the base of your cabinets. Often in areas where you’re standing close to the cabinets, you will have a toe kick space so you don’t stump your toes all the time or scuff up the bottom of the cabinet. In addition, base mold is a nice detail on the end panels, along the island and at the base of bookcases.

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Left: Kitchen island base molding, Right: Base mold on the end of a vanity with open toe kick.

Left: Kitchen island with base molding on the end.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Molding is not only decorative, but also serves distinct purposes within your design. It should always compliment your style of your cabinetry - traditional, transitional, or modern. Our advice is to look at our galleries, educate yourself on the different types of cabinetry and you'll be better equipped to decide this small, but crucial part of your design.