Updated January 2022
Do your kitchen cabinets look unfinished or leave an awkward gap below the ceiling? We added crown molding to our upper cabinets for a quick DIY upgrade that transformed the look of the kitchen. It’s a simple project that can be completed in a few hours and gives cabinets a polished, finished appearance.
Why We Added Crown Molding To Our Kitchen Cabinets
When we finished our kitchen renovation last year, we initially skipped crown molding to keep a clean, modern square-edge look and because we had never installed crown before. After getting comfortable installing crown on a ceiling, we decided to add it to the tops of our upper cabinets to give the room more character and a more finished transition to the ceiling.
The change is subtle but significant—crown molding adds architectural interest and helps make cabinets look more substantial and intentional.
Steps For Adding Cabinet Crown Molding
This is a straightforward project with four main steps. You can finish it in a single day if you have the tools and materials on hand. Overview:
- Attach scrap wood above the cabinet to provide a nailing surface
- Measure and cut the crown molding
- Nail the crown molding in place
- Caulk and paint
The results are worth the effort and can dramatically improve the look of your kitchen.
Tools & Materials Needed
Gather these tools and materials before you start to make the process smooth and efficient:
- Crown molding (pre-primed or matching wood if staining)
- Measuring tape
- Nail gun (a cordless model that doesn’t require an air compressor works well)
- Wood glue
- Crown cutting jig or Kreg Crown Pro to hold molding at the correct angle
- Miter saw for accurate angled cuts
- 1×2″ white wood or pine (scrap wood is fine) to attach above cabinets
- Paintable caulk
- Paint that matches or complements your cabinets
- Short-handled paint brush
- Painter’s tape
If your cabinets are stained wood, source crown molding in a coordinating wood species and finish. Cabinet manufacturers often offer matching trim options.
Step 1: Measure Your Cabinets
Measure the top edge of your cabinets carefully before purchasing molding. Buy extra length since mitered cuts consume more material than straight cuts and you’ll want to account for waste and mistakes. Measure twice and cut once.
Step 2: Attach Scrap Wood Around The Top
We attached a 1×2″ scrap board to the top of the cabinets with wood glue and a few nails to create a secure nailing surface for the crown molding. Because cabinet doors often leave limited flat space at the top, this filler piece gives the crown something to bite into without covering more of the cabinet box than necessary. The scrap wood will be hidden by the crown molding, so appearance isn’t important—just make sure it’s attached securely around the entire perimeter of the upper cabinetry.
Step 3: Cut Your Crown Molding
Cutting crown molding uses the same principles whether installing on a ceiling or above cabinets. Use a miter saw and a crown jig to hold the molding at the correct angle while you cut. Key points:
- Measure each run carefully, and measure again before cutting
- Make precise miter and coping cuts for inside and outside corners
- Test-fit pieces before nailing
Using a Kreg Crown Pro or similar jig makes it easier to hold the molding at the proper orientation on the saw and produces more accurate cuts, especially on angled corners.
How to cut crown molding
If you’re new to crown molding, look for a step-by-step cutting and mitering tutorial or video to review proper techniques for inside and outside corners and coping joints. Practice on scrap pieces until you’re comfortable.
Step 4: Nail The Crown Molding Into Place
After cutting and dry-fitting each piece, use a nail gun to fasten the molding to the scrap wood along the cabinet tops. Drive a few small nails every few inches to secure the molding. For outside corners that are prone to splitting, squeeze wood glue into the joint and tape the pieces together while the glue dries. Once set, remove the tape for a tight seam. Another option is to place a small scrap backing piece behind the corner and nail both molding pieces into it for extra support.
Step 5: Caulk & Paint Your Crown Molding
Fill seams and nail holes with paintable caulk. We prefer a fast-dry formula so you can paint within an hour. After caulking, paint the molding the same color as your cabinets or choose a complementary shade. Because pre-primed molding often takes paint well, one coat may be enough, but darker colors or bare wood may require two coats. Use a short-handled brush to get a smooth finish and remove any painter’s tape once the paint is tacky but not fully cured to avoid lifting paint.
Once the paint dries, your cabinets will have a refined, finished look.
How Much Did It Cost?
Adding crown molding was an inexpensive upgrade for us. We purchased three 8-foot pieces of crown and spent roughly $35 total on the molding. If you already own the basic tools, this is a very affordable way to elevate your kitchen.
We wished we had done it sooner, but the upgrade helped shift our kitchen from a modern minimal look toward a more traditional, stately style that suits the space well.
More DIY Molding Projects
If you enjoyed this project, consider other molding and trim upgrades to add character throughout your home, such as board and batten, built-in bookshelf trim, chunky crown using baseboard, base cabinet trim to look built-in, or decorative trim in bathrooms and accent walls.
More DIY Kitchen Cabinetry Projects
Other cabinet projects to consider: properly painting wood cabinets, installing hidden hinges, removing upper cabinets for an open look, darkening stained cabinets without sanding, or painting IKEA kitchen cabinets. These projects pair well with crown molding to refresh your kitchen on a budget.
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