The Easy Way To Disguise The Unsightly Gaps Above Kitchen Cabinets

Hyperfixation is a homeowner's worst enemy. One moment, you're happily swirling a morning coffee; the next, you're aghast and transfixed. Those unsightly gaps above the kitchen cabinets? Perhaps it's the caffeine, but they've just sent shivers down your spine. The good news is that gappy cabinets are one of the most common kitchen design mistakes, making them quite easy to fix. The answer is simple: fill them with wood or trim.

To fix this issue, you can seek handyman services or tackle this project alone. Disguising unsightly cabinet gaps is DIY-friendly; simply purchase a tape measure, jigsaw, wooden trimming, a drill, and some nails. Measure the gap, cut the trim to match, and screw in place. Tah-dah — the result is a uniform-looking finish. It could even pass as a custom-fit kitchen.

The accuracy of the cuts and measurements will dictate your success, so take these steps slowly. A common hiccup is struggling to keep the tape measure steady. The easiest way to overcome this is with sneaky taping; stick the metal end down to stop it from flailing. For those conscious of accidentally cutting wrong, another hack is to measure before purchasing the trimming. Many stores, like Lowe's, offer complementary or low-cost cutting services. Request the right size from the get-go.

Gaps above kitchen cabinets often look unsightly, while trimming looks more built-in and put-together. Consider it the cherry on top — an extra touch that ties everything together. However, the imperativeness of spending your Sunday morning gap-closing isn't just about improving kitchen aesthetics. Ill-fitting cabinets are a magnet for dust, dirt, and pests, potentially sabotaging hygiene and longevity. For those fighting a mysterious draft, cupboard gaps could be the culprit for that, too. Thus, trimming also acts as insulation. This adjustment is as functionally driven as it is visual.

As for the cause? It may not be merely poor design. Crooked alignments (wonky gaps above cabinets) could signal faulty installation or unfortunate, albeit natural, cupboard settling. Houses shift over time due to factors like soil erosion, meaning that kitchens aren't as static as some think. Particularly dramatic changes may create unevenness in walls and floors. In these instances, gaps are an insightful red flag for deeper-seated issues. Adding trimming is like putting a bandaid on the issue; it's suitable for symptom-treating minor shifts. For extreme cases of differential settlement, where the house is shifting at different rates, consult a foundations specialist.

Reimagining your kitchen cupboards is a slippery slope — and you shouldn't store food in the cabinet above the stove anyway. Do you know the clever kitchen cabinet design that Alex Guarnaschelli swears by? Amidst the (tragic) normality of rushed fittings, it's wise to stop and pause. Kitchens are workplaces, so approach cabinets with care.