DIY: Installing Crown Molding Around Kitchen Cabinets

Installing crown molding around kitchen cabinets can add a nice finish to your kitchen, while concealing an uneven ceiling or other imperfection with the cabinetry or room. Cutting crown molding for kitchen cabinets can be tricky, because of all of the corner cuts that can be involved. Of course, if you are having new kitchen cabinets installed, you can ask your contractor to add crown molding before he completes the job.

Step 1: Paint or stain the crown molding prior to beginning. Although you will have to patch any nail holes, finishing the crown molding while it is not attached to the ceiling will save time.

Step 2: Place the first section of crown molding against the top of the kitchen cabinet. Mark where the cabinet ends with a pencil to determine the location of your first cut.

Step 3: Cut the crown molding. If it is a standard 90 degree angle, you should use a 45 degree cut so the edges are perfectly mitered. Of course, you will have to adjust for varying angles that are associated with custom cabinets. Also note whether the corner is an inside or outside corner, to make sure that the mitered joints will align.

Step 4: Nail the crown molding into place. Try attaching it with finishing nails through the ceiling drywall and into the underlying joists. Attach the crown molding to every other joist: there is no need to excessively nail down trim.

TIP: Use a stud finder to locate the joists: lightly mark each location with a pencil for a quick installation later.

Step 5: Use a nail set to depress the nail head of all of the finishing nails. If you used a nail gun, you can skip this step.

Step 6: Continue cutting and installing crown molding until the kitchen cabinets are covered.

Step 7: Fill the nail heads with wood putty and a putty knife. Wipe away any excess putty with a damp rag. When the putty is dry, stain or paint the putty as necessary.

TIP: Often you can purchase wood putty made to match the color of stained wood or common paint colors. This may be a great solution if you can find a close enough match.