Which Moulding Should I Use In My Kitchen Remodel?

Hello, home renovators! When planning a kitchen redesign or a new build, it’s the large elements like cabinetry, appliances, and countertops that typically garner the most attention. However, it’s often the subtle design details that can make the most significant impact in your kitchen. One such element is moulding.

Moulding is a small detail with a substantial influence on the overall aesthetic and functionality of your kitchen. Essentially, moulding is a strip of material with various profiles used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decoration. It is traditionally used to soften the transition between walls and ceilings, cabinets and walls, or even between different levels of cabinetry.

Despite its practical use, moulding also serves a vital aesthetic purpose, providing a seamless finish and a touch of style to the kitchen decor. Whether you opt for intricate designs or minimalist sleek lines, the moulding you choose can tie all kitchen elements together, completing the look of the room and highlighting its architectural features.

 

Types of Moulding and Their Applications in Kitchen

In a kitchen, there are several types of moulding that one might use, each with its own function and aesthetic value:

Crown Moulding: This form of moulding adds an elegant touch to your kitchen cabinets, creating a seamless transition between the cabinets and the ceiling. They’re the final touch that can add a sophisticated and polished look to your kitchen.

 

 

Light Rail Moulding: Mounted underneath upper cabinets, light rail moulding adds a decorative touch while also helping to conceal under-cabinet lighting fixtures. This gives your kitchen a clean, streamlined look and keeps the focus on your beautiful cabinetry and backsplash.

 

 

 

Scribe Moulding: This type of moulding is used to cover gaps between cabinets and walls or ceilings that aren’t perfectly straight. Scribe moulding is a lifesaver for giving a seamless look to the kitchen even if the surfaces aren’t perfectly aligned.

 

 

 

Base Moulding: Also known as baseboard moulding, this trim is installed along the bottom of the wall where it meets the floor. It provides a neat finishing touch while also protecting the wall from scuffs and dents that could occur, especially in high-traffic kitchen areas.

 

 

 

Shoe Moulding: Shoe moulding, or quarter-round, is a smaller, curved moulding that is often used along with base moulding to provide a finished look and cover any gaps between the baseboard and the floor.

 

 

 

The key to a harmonious kitchen design is in choosing the right types of moulding that work together to provide a seamless and beautiful look.

 

 

 

 

 

Crown Moulding

The top crown moulding dentil detail on some creme-color painted solid wood kitchen cabinets. These wall mounted cabinets do not go all the way to the ceiling above them. The lighting is coming from the top right from a ceiling light.

Crown molding is not a must for every kitchen but is most popular on cabinets which are made to flare out on the top edge. Crown is generally used for capping ceilings, walls, and cabinetry.

Scribe Moulding

Scribe molding is used to cover gaps between cabinets, ceilings, and walls. It allows that area to have a clean, finished look. Scribe is a simple strip of wood, about 1/4” thick that can be painted or stained to match up to a specific color.

Toe Kick Moulding

Toe kick or toe space is the recessed area that is between the bottom of your cabinets and the floor. Toe kick on your kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities allow you to be closer to the area needed without constantly kicking and ruining the base. Toe kick height is normally 3 1/2 – 4 inches.

Current Trends in Kitchen Moulding

When it comes to kitchen design, moulding trends tend to evolve over time. In recent years, we’ve seen a few notable trends in kitchen moulding styles that add a distinct charm to the overall kitchen décor.

 

 

Minimalist Moulding: The modern, minimalist aesthetic is all the rage in today’s kitchen design. As part of this trend, many homeowners are opting for simpler, sleeker moulding styles that complement the clean lines and understated elegance of modern cabinetry.

 

 

Two-tone Moulding: Another growing trend is two-tone moulding, where the crown or base moulding is painted a different color than the cabinets or walls. This contrast can create a striking visual effect and help highlight architectural details in the kitchen.

 

 

Ornate Crown Moulding: For traditional or classic kitchen designs, ornate crown moulding is making a comeback. Intricately detailed crown moulding can add a touch of opulence and grandeur, particularly in larger kitchens.

 

As always, the best moulding for your kitchen will depend on your personal style, your kitchen’s existing design, and the overall vibe you want to create. Keep an eye on these trends, but don’t be afraid to choose a style that truly speaks to you and makes your kitchen feel like home.

 

 

Trust the Experts for Perfect Kitchen Moulding

Navigating the world of moulding can seem daunting. With so many types, styles, and placements to consider, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s where kitchen designers come in, offering their extensive expertise to make your kitchen truly shine.

Kitchen designers have a wealth of experience in crafting moulding stacks and enhancing the aesthetics of kitchens. They’re trained to consider every detail, from your kitchen’s style and size to your cabinetry and budget, ensuring that the moulding you choose will complement your space beautifully.

Here at Builders Surplus, we’re proud to have a team of highly qualified, experienced designers ready to guide you through this process. Our experts can help you choose the best moulding for your kitchen, taking the stress out of the decision and guaranteeing a look you’ll love.

Moreover, while it may be tempting to try to install your own moulding, it’s important to remember that achieving a polished, professional look often requires a skilled hand. Crown moulding, in particular, can be challenging to install. Our skilled installers at Builders Surplus are proficient in moulding installation and can ensure the best possible look for your kitchen.

Why risk disappointment when you can trust the professionals to do an amazing job? Reach out to our team at Builders Surplus to start planning your perfect kitchen moulding today! 🏠✨👌

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short and sweet but there you have the three most popular types of crown moulding used in most kitchens. Shop our selection of home remodeling products right here.

Builders Surplus is a full-service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. Hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Types of Molding and Why You Need Them

You know you’re just about done with a remodel when it’s time to start installing trim/molding. As we like to call it, you have begun the “finishing stages,” which unfortunately are the most tedious, attention-to-detail tasks that usually end up being very time consuming. But, this is for good reason — think of it as a blending process. Today, I’d like to discuss several types of molding and when and where to use them!
 

Scribe Molding

Scribe is essentially a thin strip of wood that runs along the edges of your cabinet to cover gaps, blemishes, and other inconsistencies where the cabinet meshes against the wall or the ceiling. It’s usually straight on one end and can be curved fit the contour of the cabinet. It’s used as a finishing touch and quite often makes the job look complete when installed correctly. Having gaps or scuff marks here and there may not seem like a biggie to larger remodels, but if they can be prevented or in this case, solved, the product will look near perfect.

 

Crown Molding

A very popular finishing touch that’s installed at the top edge of cabinets (hence, the name), but unlike scribe, crown moulding has an abundance of decorative options that can cater to any style or design. You could go with something simple, a piece with a few beveled edges, or something a little more gaudy, with elaborate, inlaid designs. Obviously, the the more intricate the design, the more expensive the crown is going to be. As far its importance, it’s mainly to bring a more sophisticated look to your design. And trust me, it works.
 
molding
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Baseboard Molding

Probably the most important piece on this list, base molding is used to hide the gaps between flooring/tile and the walls encasing it. That is its main function, but as you can see, it definitely adds a certain decor and can be seen as a beautiful transition from floor to the wall. It hides the cracks, gaps, and drywall fringes and give a modern touch to the whole look.
 
 

 
 
 

Quarter Round Molding

It’s only fitting that this type is mentioned next after baseboards because they compliment each other. Yes, baseboards are seen as the transition, but installing quarter-round — which is almost like scribe, but thicker — is installed at the very bottom of the your baseboards, so it hides that gap AND the possible nail holes. Functional and decorative, quarter round is a must do if you’re looking for that perfect look.
 
 
molding
 

Chair Rail Molding

This piece of molding acts purely as a decorative and is usually accompanied by wainscoting — wooden paneling that lines the lower part of the walls of a room — but that’s not always the case. It’s also used to break up paint colors, if one is going for the two-toned look.
 
 
 

 

Casing

I’ll be honest with you, if your doors or windows don’t have casing on them, it’s going to look weird. Out of place. You might as well take the door off the hinges and use it as a beer pong table. It’d look better. Seriously, though, all jokes aside, casing is a pretty mandatory piece of trim. It doesn’t just enhance the look, it makes it. So, I have to say, if there’s any piece on here that you actually NEED, it’s this one.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
molding
 
 
There ya go, folks. There’s a few very necessary types of molding that are essential to making your remodel legitimately look complete. I do hope I’ve given you a bit of insight into these finishing touches! And remember if you need a little bit of assistance with planning or want to schedule a free kitchen design consultation, click here! Hope to see you all in the store soon, but until then, be safe and stay blessed!
 


 
Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets.
In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain
 
 
 

Choosing the Perfect Crown Moulding

Crown Moulding is one remodeling product that may seem optional, and in a way, it is. However, to me, it’s quite necessary. Crown moulding is like the cherry on top of a sundae. It is the finishing touch. When you see your space with the moulding complete, you will wonder how you ever did without it in the first place. However, there are so many different sizes and profiles of crown moulding that it can be hard to know which is best for you or your space. Price will also vary with these different options, so your budget may dictate some of your decisions. We’ll cover all of those in today’s post!

Choosing the Right Crown Moulding Size:

The height of your room is going to be the number one determining factor in what size crown you should choose. If you pick something too small, the room will overpower it. If it’s too big, it will seem out of proportion and weird. There is a great size for every room, you just have to find the one that works best for you! You first need to know your ceiling height. Typical ceiling height is about 8 feet. For a room of that height, it’s recommended that you choose a moulding of 3″ – 5.25″. There are tons of options in that height range! If you have 9-10 ft ceilings, you can go from 5.25″ – 7″. With ceilings above 10 feet in height, it is recommended that you build up your moulding by using multiple pieces or types of trim. This stacked look will give you a dramatic appearance, which is appropriate for such a spacious room. While these are the recommended sizes, nothing is set in stone. You can choose the height that you find personally appealing, but these are the industry standards and are designed to help you get an idea of what would be appropriate in your space.
crown-in-home

Choosing the Right Profile:

We, like many retailers, just offer a few traditional crown moulding options in stock. They are simple, yet elegant, and will work well for most homes.  Below, we’ve listed a few of the more common crown choices. The traditional is the option that most homeowners are happy with. The craftsman style and french curves are both special order, but are two very different looks that are still slightly more traditional profiles.

Traditional Crown Moulding

Traditional

 

Craftsman style crown moulding

Craftsman style

 

French Curves Crown Moulding

French Curves

Here are two styles that we carry in stock, starting at $.99/sq ft – $1.39/ sq ft!
47m crown moulding49m crown moulding
However, if you’re looking for something more unique, you can get a special order profile. We have the ability to order a variety of moulding profiles. Stock profiles will not include things like a rope border, dentils, leafs, or complex etchings or patterns, so those are things you will want to decide on before you’re ready to install your moulding due to lead time on these special profiles.
Custom-Crown-Moulding

Choosing the Right Material:

There are four main materials that make up crown moulding. While these are not the only four, they are the most popular. These include MDF, primed pine, pine and oak. You can also find plaster, plaster covered foam, and polyurethane, but these will not be readily available or in stock for you to purchase. There are a few differences between the four major materials. MDF is pre-primed, meaning that it is very consistant, has an even coat, is affordable, and has great workability. MDF is what we carry in stock due to it’s affordability, ease of installation, and beautiful appearance. Primed pine is natural wood. It is paint grade and pre primed, ready to paint. Pine is a versatile wood moulding that can be clear coated, stained or painted. Pine can give a lovely rustic look to your space. Oak is a very traditional wood moulding with a classic and distinctive grain. It can be clear coated, varnished or stained and offers a rich look with superior durability.

How Much Will It Cost?

First, you need to know what size your moulding will come in. Most stores sell it in 14 foot pieces. We sell it in 16 foot pieces, meaning that you need to buy fewer pieces to complete your project, which is a great benefit to you! Our moulding ranges from $.99/sq ft – $1.39/sq ft but crown in general can range anywhere from $.99 to $5.00 per square foot, depending on the material and profile.
Stock profiles are the least expensive and most readily available. Custom work—matching an existing profile or creating a new design—can cost more than twice as much and take up to six weeks to produce.
Crown moulding could also come with an installation fee, depending on your space. Most homeowners can achieve this if they are comfortable with basic wood or repair work. If you have curved ceilings, you will most likely hire a professional. Anything outside of your typical square would be good for a pro to tackle. As always, add 10-20% extra to the materials you purchase for waste. 10% if you have a very standard room, 20% if you have lots of corners or unique shapes in your space.
While there is certainly much more that we could go into (that’s for another blog, another day), we hope we’ve given you the basic information that you need to choose the right crown moulding for  your home!


Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are one of the leading providers of moulding, trim, casing, and baseboards in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

Corbels & Moulding: The Finishing Touches

Hey everyone, this is LeighAnne and today I’m going to give you some interesting ideas about Corbels and moulding. If you have been looking for a way to add some finishing touches to your beautifully designed kitchen, consider the timeless elegance of decorative corbels & moulding. Corbels and moulding offer many unique ways to put the finishing touches on your custom design with a distinctive flair while bringing architectural style and structure into your kitchen.

Corbels and moulding put the finishing touches on your custom design & bring architectural style and structure into your kitchen.

Corbels and Moulding at Builders Surplus in Louisville & Newport, KY
 

Corbels & Moulding – Historical Use

Historically, corbels and moulding were used primarily for architectural support. Corbels were well known to provide support weight for heavier pieces in a kitchen, such as cabinets, countertops, oven hoods, shelving and more. Moulding was historically used to solve architectural challenges by adding visual height and providing better proportion to a room overall.  Over time, modern homeowners and interior designers have discovered the aesthetic value and ornamental beauty that corbels and moulding have to offer as finishing touches in home decor.

Corbels and Moulding at Builders Surplus in Louisville & Newport, KY
 

Corbels & Moulding – Sizing Things Up

In addition to having a very practical function, corbels and moulding can also make a statement of style and importance.. The corbel and moulding size you choose can set the tone for your whole kitchen. You should ensure that the scale of corbels and moulding complement the size of the structure that they are being applied to.

Corbels and Moulding at Builders Surplus in Louisville & Newport, KY

Sometimes designers stray away from using larger corbels because of their size, however, a larger corbel can spice things up up and bring attention to a basic kitchen island or cabinet. On the other hand, choosing a more commonly sized corbel (around 10” – 15”) will convey a message of harmony and oneness. You are the best choice for sizing up what would work best because the right size will be based on the overall style of your home.
 
vessel-sink-styles
 

Corbels & Moulding – It’s All In the Details

The corbel and moulding sizes that are used can set the tone in your kitchen but the ornamental detail on corbels and moulding can determine the style and design throughout your entire home. Corbels come in a diverse range of designs, ranging from simple elegance to classically inspired offering a true one of a kind finishing touch unique to each home. Corbels and moulding is available completely unadorned and in it’s natural wood state or it can be ornately carved with the most elaborate motifs and designs showing faces and cherubs or fruits and vines. Some of the more popular motifs include acanthus leaves (inspired by the Greek Corinthian columns), seashells and scrolls.

Corbels and Moulding at Builders Surplus in Louisville & Newport, KY
 

Corbels & Moulding – At Builders Surplus

We have some of the most unique corbels available at Builders Surplus. Recognizing everyone’s need for unique expression, we have carefully selected many of the designer corbels we have available in stock. For instance, this wood corbel features the alluring celtic trinity knot. The celtic trinity knot has a long tradition of representing ancient moon phases, the life cycle of women and the Father, Son & Holy Spirit of the Catholic trinity. My personal favorite is this wood corbel featuring an elegantly carved fleur-de-lis symbol. It is a very popular choice among those who embrace the long and rich history of Louisville, KY. You know your style better than anyone though, so browse through all our unique corbel and moulding pieces by stopping in one of our showrooms in Louisville or Newport. Once you identify your style preferences, these are the kind of choices that will fuel your design process.
 
Corbels & Moulding at Builders Surplus in Louisville and Newport, Ky
 

Corbels & Moulding – True Colors

Corbels and moulding can be painted in any color to coordinate with your kitchen’s decor. You can also choose to stain the corbel to match other wood accents and showcase the fine grain pattern of the wood. When selecting a stain or paint color for each corbel, consider selecting a finish similar to your existing kitchen cabinetry for a well coordinated look.

rustic-painted-shelves
 

Corbels & Moulding – In The Kitchen

Corbels and moulding find themselves right at home in the kitchen. Since the historical use of corbels was to support the weight of larger objects, think of all of the heavy pieces in your own kitchen. Anywhere that support is needed is an ideal place for a corbel. This not only helps to balance the look but adds a perfect finishing touch.

  • Under counter tops – especially those made from heavy materials such as granite or marble.
  • With islands and counter overhangs where chairs or bar stools provide seating for family members and guests. (Take caution to position the corbel carefully so that it doesn’t get in the way of the seating)
  • As a support for kitchen cabinets.
  • Supporting an open shelf, especially for heavy items. (i.e.cast-iron cookware)

Corbels and Moulding at Builders Surplus in Louisville & Newport, KY
 
Now that you have an understanding of the myriad of ways that corbels and moulding can provide the perfect finishing touches for a kitchen, consider taking a closer look at your home to determine ways in which you can utilize these architectural embellishments to spice up your home. Call or come in and speak with one of our designers  if  you have any questions about using corbels or moulding in your home design.
 
Written By: LeighAnne Turner
Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!