What Size Crown Molding For Kitchen Cabinets?

Crown molding provides a clean, beautiful transition between the tops of kitchen cabinets and the ceiling. But depending on the space above your cabinets, you might need to adjust the size of the molding you use.

This article will dive into what size crown molding works for kitchen cabinets based on your specific needs.

The most common size crown molding for kitchen cabinets is between two and six inches tall. This size works well in kitchens with eight-foot ceilings. With nine-foot ceilings, use crown molding between three and eight inches. If your kitchen has a 10-foot or higher ceiling, consider four to nine inches for crown molding. But you also need to factor in your cabinet size.

Not sure about adding crown molding above your kitchen cabinets? Whether you’re unsure if you even need it or simply don’t know what size crown molding to get, this article can help.

It’s worth noting that you don’t need crown molding above your kitchen cabinets. Typically, crown molding is for decorative purposes. In other words, your cabinets will work just fine without the addition of molding.

However, there are some practical reasons to consider crown molding above your kitchen cabinets beyond the mere aesthetic appeal. If you don’t like having a gap between your upper cabinets and the ceiling, crown molding can help close the space.

Not only does the molding hide the space, but it also keeps dust and unwanted debris from collecting on top of your cabinets. When you install crown molding, you won’t have to worry about dusting on top of the cabinets, which is undoubtedly a bonus.

Older homes likely have a soffit in the area above the kitchen cabinets. It’s essentially a big box of a wall that fills the space and also sometimes serves to hide any ductwork, electrical wires, etc. Crown molding can be a more aesthetically appealing option to this bulky, plain box.

In newer homes, many people opt for extra-tall cabinets that reach almost to the ceiling. But typically, you still have a small space. In this case, you might decide against crown molding if you want a more sleek, modern look. Or, if you want to give things a finished look and a decorative touch, you can go with crown molding to cover the minuscule gap.

Cabinet crown molding should be large enough to reach from the top of the cabinets to the ceiling. It doesn’t make sense to install crown molding if it isn’t going to fill this area unless the space is overly large. For example, the exception would be if you simply want to add a decorative element to the tops of cabinets but want to maintain the space.

Some people prefer having an area above the cabinets to display various decorative pieces or keep baskets of items as extra storage. But this is purely a design choice and entirely up to the homeowner’s preference. If you do decide to go this route, don’t let the crown molding be closer than nine inches to the ceiling.

Bringing the crown molding up closer than nine inches, but leaving a gap, will start to look odd. Plus, it becomes a lot trickier to clean up there. So, if you have less than nine inches above your cabinets, bring everything up to the ceiling.

Most of the crown molding you find above kitchen cabinets is between two and six inches tall. The taller styles often feature several different pieces stacked on each other to create a desired effect. You can purchase crown molding in eight and 12-foot lengths and cut it to size.

The average sizes of crown molding are between three and 20 inches, with the most common being between three and six inches wide. However, you can find smaller molding that is two or two-and-a-half inches if you’re working with an exceptionally slim space.

To determine the best size crown molding for kitchen cabinets, consider the space above your cabinets. Also, know your ceiling height and the size of your cabinets.

You also need to consider any adjacent objects that might interfere with the crown molding, such as windows, doors, vents, or shallow corners. However, a good rule of thumb is the higher your ceilings, the larger the crown molding you need.

Likewise, often the taller your cabinets, the taller crown molding you need. The reason for this is so that the molding looks proportional to your cabinetry. Plus, taller cabinets are often in kitchens with higher ceilings.

If you plan to fill the entire space above your cabinets, you’ll need to measure the area to ensure you know the exact height. Use a tape measure to determine the height from the top of the cabinets to the ceiling.

Also, consider the size of your cabinets and their style. If the doors run all the way up, and they’re only a few inches from the ceiling, you might only get away with a two-inch molding and a spacer.

The standard ceiling height in many homes is eight feet. Crown molding for kitchen cabinets and eight-foot ceilings is typically between 2.5 and six inches. The likely size of kitchen cabinets with eight-foot ceilings is 36 inches.

If you have the standard 36-inch cabinets, then a six-inch crown molding would cover the space between the cabinets and ceilings. This molding size keeps in mind the standard height from the floor to the bottom of your upper kitchen cabinets is 54 inches.

If you have shorter cabinets measuring 30 inches, you might opt for a smaller two-inch crown molding to keep things from looking out of balance. Then you can leave a 10-inch space above to display decorative pieces.

Or, if you want to fill the entire area, you would need approximately 12 inches of crown molding. You’d likely stack various elements to get the look and size you need.

If you have 42-inch cabinets in the kitchen, they would basically reach your ceiling. Depending on the cabinet style, you could add a decorative crown molding of two inches. Or, you might realize you can’t add crown at all.

Nine-foot ceilings are another popular ceiling height in newer homes. The best crown molding for kitchen cabinets with this ceiling height falls between three and eight inches.

When you have nine-foot ceilings, you likely have 42-inch cabinets. In this case, you could use picture molding and crown molding, stacking it to create a 12-inch molding if you wanted to take it to the ceiling.

Alternatively, to maintain an open space above the cabinets, use a smaller three to four-inch crown molding. If you have 48-inch cabinets, a six-inch crown will fill the space between the kitchen cabinets and the ceiling.

If you have standard 36-inch cabinets, you could opt to leave an area above the crown molding. Or consider adding cubby cabinets above existing cabinets to beef up storage space. Then, fill the remaining space between the ceiling and the tops of the cabinets with a smaller crown molding.

The taller the ceilings, the taller the crown molding. Between four and nine inches is the average size of crown molding for kitchens with 10-foot ceilings. Determining the best size for your space is similar to how you would go about it for lower ceilings.

The best bet when searching for the right size crown molding is to know all of your measurements and visit a molding store. Gather a few potential samples, hold them up to your cabinets, and see which ones appear to work best in the whole space.

If you decide to add crown molding to your kitchen, choosing the right size is key to keeping things looking proportional and beautiful. Crown molding can add value to your house, but only if it’s done correctly and fits the style of your home.

Most crown molding above kitchen cabinets is between two and six inches. Kitchens with eight-foot ceilings will likely have crown molding this size, the exact number depending on the kitchen cabinet size. If you have a nine-foot ceiling, crown molding between three and seven inches will be a better option. If you have ceilings 10 feet or higher, look for molding between four and nine inches.

Consider your ceiling height, cabinet size, and how much space you want to fill above the cabinets. However, if the crown molding is going to come within less than nine inches of the ceiling, ditch the idea of leaving an open area. Instead, it’s best to bring everything all the way up instead of leaving any open space.

These factors will help you find the best size crown molding for above kitchen cabinets. Gather up several samples from a local home improvement store and take them home to try out in person. When you find the right one, you’ll know it.