Installing crown molding is an easy way to add elegance and style to your kitchen cabinets. With some careful planning and the right tools, you can install crown molding yourself and transform the look of your kitchen. Here is a step-by-step guide to installing crown molding on cabinets.
Planning Your Crown Molding Project
Before starting any work, it’s important to plan out your project to ensure you get the look you want. Here are some planning tips:
- Measure the perimeter of the top of your cabinets so you know how much crown molding to purchase. Remember to account for inside and outside corners.
- Decide what style of crown molding you want. Ogee, traditional, or contemporary styles are common options.
- Choose a crown molding size that fits the scale of your cabinets. Larger moldings can overwhelm small cabinets.
- Consider painting or staining your crown molding to match or accent your existing cabinet color.
- Purchase crown molding, finish nails, wood filler, caulk, and touch up paint. Make sure you have the necessary tools like a miter saw, hammer, pry bar, and nail set.
Preparing Your Cabinets
Proper prep work ensures your crown molding installation goes smoothly:
- Remove cabinet doors and drawers to allow easy access for installation. Number doors and drawers to keep organized.
- Clean cabinets thoroughly to remove dirt, grease, or debris. Crown molding won’t adhere well to dirty surfaces.
- Fill any holes or imperfections with wood filler and let dry completely. Smooth with sandpaper.
- Caulk gap between cabinet tops and wall with flexible caulk. This prevents cracks between molding and wall.
- Carefully pry off any existing old moldings or trim already installed on your cabinets.
Measuring and Cutting Crown Molding
Accurate measurements and cuts are critical for proper crown molding installation:
- Measure the cabinet perimeter and calculate the total length of crown molding needed. Add 10-15% for errors and waste.
- For inside and outside corners, measure the exact length from corner to stop point and cut miters at precise 45 degree angles.
- Cut crown molding upside down with the decorative side facing down on your miter saw. This prevents splintering.
- Make test cuts on scrap pieces first to check for fit before cutting your final pieces.
- Apply painter’s tape along top cabinet edges for a clean installation line.
Installing the Crown Molding
Once your pieces are cut, you’re ready to install the crown molding:
- Run a continuous bead of construction adhesive along the top of the cabinets.
- Lift crown molding pieces into place, fit joints together, and press firmly onto adhesive.
- Use finish nails through the cabinet top into the molding every 16 inches. Set nails.
- Fill all nail holes with wood filler, let dry, and sand smooth. Wipe away excess dust.
- Caulk along all seams and joints with a flexible, paintable caulk. Smooth with a wet finger.
- Allow adhesive and caulk to fully cure for 24-48 hours before painting or replacing doors.
Finish Options
You have several options for finishing your newly installed crown molding:
- If your cabinets are already painted, use a small brush to touch up paint on molding. Feather out edges.
- For a built-in custom look, choose a complementary paint color and brush paint the molding.
- For a natural wood look, apply a wood stain in your desired hue and follow with a protective polyurethane.
- Or simply leave unfinished wood molding as is and apply a clear sealant for protection.
Now stand back and admire your new elegant crown molding that takes your kitchen cabinets from basic to beautiful!
Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Crown Molding on Cabinets
What tools do I need to install crown molding?
The essential tools you need are a miter saw, hammer, finish nails, nail set, pry bar, caulk gun, wood filler, painter’s tape, and touch up paint. Helpful extras include a chop saw, table saw, and compound miter saw.
What is the best way to cut crown molding?
Cut crown molding upside down with the decorative side face down on your miter saw. Make 45 degree angle cuts for inside and outside corners. Test cuts on scrap pieces first.
How do I get a smooth seam between molding pieces?
Use painter’s caulk to fill any small gaps between crown molding pieces. Apply caulk and smooth with a wet finger for an invisible look. Nail holes can also be filled with wood filler.
Should I caulk between the molding and wall?
Yes, use a flexible paintable latex caulk between the top of the crown molding and the wall. This prevents cracks from developing.
How much crown molding do I need to buy?
Measure the total perimeter of your cabinets and add 10-15% to allow for errors and waste. For inside and outside corners, measure and account for those exact lengths.
Should I paint or stain new crown molding?
That depends on the look you want and your existing cabinet finish. For built-in look, paint to match cabinets. For a natural look, apply wood stain and polyurethane. Or leave unfinished.
Conclusion
Adding crown molding is an easy DIY project that can completely transform basic kitchen cabinets. With some careful planning and preparation, accurate cutting, and a focus on seamless joints, you can install beautiful crown molding that makes a stylish statement. For a custom built-in look, take the time to properly paint or stain your crown molding to match your cabinet finish. Investing in rich architectural details like crown molding allows you to add elegance and style without the cost of new cabinets.
