Skip to main content

Crown molding can offer huge visual impact to your kitchen cabinets

If you’re looking to scale up your kitchen cabinets or give them a more polished look, consider adding crown molding to them. It’s relatively cheap and easy to do yourself, and it adds more character than traditional, squared-off cabinet tops. It can also add height to your cabinets if they are shorter. If you’re not super handy and are wondering how to add crown molding to cabinets yourself, we’ve provided a list of everything you’ll need, along with some frequently asked questions to get you started.

Depending on the size of your kitchen, installing crown molding can be done in a day, as long as you have everything measured and all the tools in place to begin.

Pegboard with tools
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What do you need to add crown molding?

To get started, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need so you aren’t running back and forth to the hardware store. If you don’t do a lot of remodeling yourself, you can rent the miter saw and nail gun from your local hardware or rental store versus buying them to save a little money. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Miter saw
  • Hammer
  • Nail set
  • Nail gun
  • 320-grit sanding sponge
  • Eye and hearing protection
  • Safety mask
  • Tape measure
  • Level (long)
  • Wood Filler/spackle
  • Crown molding

You’ll also want a long ladder, which should be secured on the floor, never on the countertops themselves, for safety reasons.

Kitchen with blue frame fronted cabinets
YinYang / Getty Images

Can you put crown molding on kitchen cabinets?

Yes, you can!

  • To begin, grab a long level and mark where you want the crown molding to sit on the cabinet facing.
  • If you’re not attaching it directly to the cabinets themselves, you’ll need to build a frame to sit on top of the cabinet or attach nailing strips to it so the crown molding can sit flush on it.
  • Start on one end, where the cabinet is attached to the wall, and work from there. Cut both pieces before attaching around the corner. You can use wood glue to secure the molding, and the nail gun to secure it across the bottom where the board and frame meet.
  • When all of the molding is secure, you can paint or stain the molding the same color as your cabinets. Fill in any holes with wood filler beforehand. This YouTube video goes into more detail on specific angles and measurements for how low to attach the molding to the cabinets.

Is crown molding on cabinets outdated?

The short answer is no. Crown molding has been used for hundreds of years to offer a polished, finished look to kitchen cabinetry. It’s elegant and can be used in any style kitchen, from farmhouse to traditional to modern. While some people prefer a more box-style cabinet, crown molding can add just the right amount of character to a kitchen. Obviously, if you have cabinets that go all the way up to the ceiling, there won’t be room. But if they stop short, crown molding is the perfect addition.

white and grey kitchen with white countertops
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How much does it cost to add crown molding to cabinets?

To know how much crown molding you’ll need for your kitchen (and thus how much it’s going to cost to buy the wood), you’ll need to measure the width and depth of the wall cabinets in the room. Because the crown molding will wrap around the cabinets, you’ll need to total both numbers together.

Typically, crown molding costs around $200. It would cost another $600 to install, which is a big savings if you’re doing it yourself. Many factors play into the average cost of the molding, including the size of your room, the wood material, and the thickness, but the average is anywhere from $5 to $15 per linear foot.

That said, wood molding can vary in cost depending on the type of wood you buy, and it can add up. If you’re on a budget, consider plaster, medium-density fiberboard (MDF crown molding), or polyurethane, which won’t expand or contract in temperature changes and is much less expensive than real wood. It’s always good to consult a designer or carpenter before you begin to learn any mistakes to avoid while installing. It can save you a lot of time and money down the road!

Crown molding isn’t difficult to install; you just need to feel comfortable measuring and cutting angles. This can be learned by taking a class at your local hardware store or online by watching instructional videos. It’s an intermediate-level project but one that can be learned with a little patience and determination. Once you feel comfortable, test out a few cuts beforehand so you get any mistakes out of the way before you begin. Then, happy molding!

Editors' Recommendations

Julie Scagell
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
What colors go with gray? How to make a neutral hue pop in your home
Make gray walls work for your home decor with complementary colors
Modern living room with gray walls and yellow furniture

Neutral colors like gray and taupe are always popular options for your home's interior design. Both are versatile shades that can go with a plethora of other hues, which means you can easily change up the look of your decor with gray walls and a rotating rainbow of accessories like colorful throw pillows. With all the different shades of gray paint available, from matte to glossy, warm to cool, and brownish to blueish, it's certainly possible to find the one that's perfect for you and your home.

Of course, you can always have too much of a good thing. While gray can be a sophisticated and elegant shade, too much gray can wash out a room or make it feel dull and dingy or cold and unwelcoming. Think of gray as the neutral backdrop on a canvas that lets your color palette shine, and you can't go wrong. So, it’s important to incorporate other colors into the decor, whether it be with pieces of furniture, art, or throw blankets -- but what colors go with gray? If you're looking for the best options to brighten up your current decor, keep reading to find out how to accent this elegant tone.

Read more
How to keep oak kitchen cabinets from looking out of place in a modern kitchen
Transform your outdated oak kitchen cabinets for a luxe, modern design
Modern kitchen with red oak cabinets and white countertops

Oak kitchen cabinets are a staple in many traditional homes. Their earthy tones and elegant appearance have placed them at the top of the ladder, making them one of the most beloved cabinet materials in recent decades. While this wood has stood the test of time in interior design, keeping an oak-heavy kitchen from looking out of place in a redesigned home can be challenging. Oak cabinetry often caters to traditional decor, making it hard to implement these gorgeous tones and textures into a more modern or contemporary space.

If you’re a modern enthusiast who wants to maintain the traditional oak cabinet look without creating a tacky design, then we have the tips for you. Here’s how to dress up your kitchen to balance modernity with traditional oak cabinets.

Read more
6 easy ways to update your home for under $500
Update your home with these inexpensive, easy projects
Couple painting white walls

When most homeowners think of renovations, they think of time-consuming projects that always run over budget. And often, they’re right. But updating your home doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Tearing down cabinets and installing brand-new hardwood floors aren’t the only ways to up your home design game.

With a bit of planning and elbow grease, you can refresh your space with inexpensive home remodeling projects that will have a considerable impact. Here are six DIY home projects that you can easily complete for less than $500.

Read more