As you shop for new kitchen cabinets, or ways to improve existing cabinets, keep edge molding at the front of your mind.
Cabinet edge molding refers to any molding that adorns a cabinet edge, such as crown, light rail and shelf molding. Typically, it's made of wood, plaster or some other engineered material.
Cabinet installers often use edge molding to hide cabinet elements you don’t want to see. For example, molding along the bottom edge of upper cabinets can hide light fixtures and unfinished surfaces. Edge molding is also often used to hide front-facing material defects and exposed hardware, such as shelf support brackets and screws.
If you’re like me and prefer to store dishware and personal items on cabinet tops and open shelves, one of the biggest horrors is when something slides off and crashes to the floor -- especially if the object is breakable. With cabinet edge molding, you can finally enjoy peace of mind storing objects in these areas. An installer can specially position the molding to act like a rail that blocks objects from falling.
Heavy objects can sag the surfaces they rest upon. Additionally, long or wide shelves can bend under the weight of objects over time. Strong, durable edge molding expertly attached by a cabinetmaker or carpenter along the front edge of a shelf or the bottom edge of a cabinet can make these areas structurally strong enough to provide the support you need for years.
Any type of cabinet edge molding can serve as a decorative accessory. Inscribed molding, as well as big and small stacks of unadorned molding, can alter the entire look of your kitchen. For example, edge molding can make large kitchens appear smaller and small kitchens appear a bit larger. Inexpensive molding can also make it appear like you spared no expense when you modified your kitchen.
You can also apply the benefits of cabinet edge molding to standalone shelves. Many homeowners add the same style of edge molding used on their kitchen cabinets to standalone shelves because of the above benefits. Additionally, matching cabinet edge molding can balance a kitchen's design to create a uniform look.
A word to the wise: Too much cabinet edge molding, or too many styles, can make a kitchen feel uninviting. Speak with an experienced Kitchen Magic specialist today to help you find the best options for your kitchen.