We’ve always joked in photos of our kitchen that we still needed to add crown molding. That unrefined line where the wall and tile met the ceiling has finally been resolved.
For anyone who noticed the dark line above our pantry and wondered if a beam was sagging or if there was a hole: it was simply an area missing crown molding. When we removed the cabinets that once ran to the ceiling on that side of the kitchen last November, several crown-less gaps were left behind and made the space look unfinished.
Before installing the trim, we handled a quick ventilation fix. In a rush we had initially sealed some hood vents with ordinary duct tape. Helpful readers pointed out that proper metal foil HVAC tape is what’s needed, so we removed the duct tape and rewrapped the vents with foil tape to avoid future ventilation problems.
On to crown molding: our kitchen displays three different crown profiles, which made the repair tricky. There’s traditional crown along the room’s perimeter, slightly smaller pieces on the fireplace half, thin cove molding on the beams, and—oddly—one beam that had a thicker crown on one side. Because none matched standard store profiles exactly, we couldn’t simply buy a few short replacement pieces.
Thankfully, we had saved every piece of crown that came down with the cabinets. After priming and painting those salvaged pieces, they were ready to fill most of the gaps. We used a stain-blocking primer first, then a crisp white paint to match the rest of the kitchen trim and coordinate with our Corian counters.
I did come up short on a few lengths, but realized that the mismatched thick crown on that one beam could be repurposed. We removed the thick section and replaced it with a smaller, store-bought cove that matched the other beams. This avoided having to recrown far larger portions of the room and saved us considerable time and expense.
Cutting crown molding is unusual because it must be cut at the angle it will meet the ceiling rather than flat. I experimented with a guide piece glued to the saw table but ultimately made the cuts by hand. After cutting the mitered corners, I used a coping saw to remove overhangs so corners would sit flush. Tutorials recommended marking the edge with a darker marker to guide the coping cuts, which proved helpful.
This was our first real crown-installation project, so not every cut was perfect and our older home’s ceiling isn’t entirely flat. Small imperfections were easily addressed with paintable caulk and a final coat of paint, which made everything look seamless from normal viewing distance.
During installation some of the primed and painted pieces got dinged, but those blemishes were filled and repainted. One beam required replacing an entire side of trim because the existing cove profile wasn’t a standard size. Since the beam’s edges connect to thicker perimeter crown, the slightly larger replacement isn’t noticeable unless you compare pieces side by side.
I also found a single matching scrap in a basement discard pile that perfectly filled a small gap on the smaller crown side of the room—an unexpectedly lucky find that saved us from more extensive work.
For caulking we used white paintable DAP and smoothed beads with our finger, letting them dry before painting. That combination of careful caulking and touch-up paint is what really sells the finished look, bridging small gaps and minor irregularities.
The change is subtle but effective. With the crown in place the room looks more polished and balanced—aside from a couple of remaining tasks like installing a pendant over the sink, finishing decorative trim on the peninsula, replacing the dishwasher, and laying cork floors. Those projects will help this kitchen feel truly complete.
When the shelves went back up after the trim was installed, we took the opportunity to rearrange and simplify a few displays. Some frames were added, others removed, and we used removable picture hanging strips for a no-damage solution on tile.
We also left the window area intentionally airy so the room doesn’t feel cluttered. Once a new pendant is installed and we decide on a window treatment—perhaps a roman shade or blind—that little space will feel charming and balanced next to the wall of shelves.
So that’s where we are: crown installed, caulked, and painted, with a few finishing touches left on our to-do list. It’s amazing how much a modest trim upgrade can refine the entire space.
What did you work on this weekend? Any trim cutting, shelf tweaking, or quick fixes like switching to metal foil tape?