Batten Molding Cabinets: A Custom Look for Your Kitchen

An Introduction to Batten Molding Cabinets

Batten molding can add a beautiful, custom look to kitchen cabinets. With horizontal strips of molding placed at intervals along the cabinet frame and doors, batten molding creates interesting dimension and shadow lines. The look is both classic and current, pairing nicely with many cabinet door styles from shaker to slab.

The History and Style of Batten Molding

Batten molding has its origins in the batten board siding historically used on barns, sheds, and cottages. Barn board siding utilizes wide vertical wooden boards, with narrow wood strips, or battens, placed over the seams between boards. This covers the seams while allowing the wood boards space to expand and contract with changes in weather.

Applied to cabinets, batten molding echoes the cozy, rustic feeling of a country cottage. Thicker battens especially evoke the shadow lines criss-crossing barn board walls. Thinner battens have a more refined, Shaker-inspired look. Designers often pair thin battens with flat shaker doors for a light and airy farmhouse aesthetic.

Considerations for Adding Batten Molding

Since batten molding cabinets require additional woodworking and installation steps, this custom look costs more than flat slab or shaker-style cabinets. Battens should be mitered at cabinet corners for a built-in look that shows off your investment in special cabinetry.

You'll also want to consider door style when planning for batten molding. For a lighter look, shaker cabinet doors, Slab cabinet doors, or door styles with similarly clean lines complement batten molding without competing. More ornate raised panel doors risk looking too busy with added moldings.

Where to Add Batten Molding

Most commonly, batten molding edges top and lower cabinet frames and horizontal midpoints. This gives a balanced look. Some designs add thinner vertical battens between door frames as well, for extra definition. Battens typically are not mitered across cabinet vertical stiles. This maintains cleaner lines between units.

Installing Batten Molding

Due to the precise measurements and cuts involved, most homeowners opt to buy factory-finished stock cabinets or semi-custom cabinetry with batten molding already installed. If you're up for the challenge, batten molding can be added to existing cabinets or custom built cabinet boxes.

Parts and Supplies Needed

You'll need lengths of 1x2 craft wood or poplar for thin battens, or 1x4 boards for wider battens. These should be miter cut to fit your cabinet frames. Wood glue, brad nails, wood filler, sandpaper, primer, and interior semi-gloss latex paint suitable for cabinetry finish the materials list.

Sequence for Installing Batten Molding

Here's an overview of the batten molding installation process:

1. Remove cabinet doors and hardware if adding batten molding to existing cabinets.
2. Sand cabinet boxes, frames, doors etc. to rough up surface for good glue adhesion.
3. Measure lengths needed and miter cut battens to fit frames.
4. Glue and nail battens into place on frames.
5. Fill nail holes with wood filler; sand smooth when dry.
6. Apply wood primer to battens, then topcoat with cabinet paint choice.

Reinstall doors, hardware, cabinets when batten molding paint is fully cured. Looking for more details? Check out this step-by-step tutorial for adding batten molding cabinets.

Design Ideas for Batten Molding Cabinets

Ready to plan your perfect kitchen with on-trend batten molding? Here are some stylish ideas:

Farmhouse Chic Batten Cabinets

White shaker cabinets with thin battens exude farmhouse style. Pair with open shelve, butcher block counters, and vintage-look lighting and hardware for a cozy but fresh cottage kitchen.

Rustic Modern Kitchen

Thicker batten molding on charcoal gray shaker cabinets plays up the rustic barn board inspiration. Combine with industrial pendant lighting and sleek stainless appliances for rustic meets modern vibe.

Craftsman Inspired Style

The iconic Craftsman aesthetic utilizes strong lines paired with natural materials. Wide batten molding on stained wood slab cabinetry fits right in beside stone counters, exposed beams, and handcrafted tile backsplashes.

Coastal Kitchen Style

Crisp white cabinetry with narrow blue gray battens catches the sea and sky hues. Batten molding lightens and brightens for breezy, beachy appeal. Add color echoing open shelving and driftwood inspired hardware.

Maintaining and Updating Batten Molding Cabinets

With proper care and creative updates, batten molding cabinets retain their beauty and value. Follow smart cabinet maintenance practices to keep doors, frames, and moldings looking like new. If you remodel down the road, replace door styles for a fresh mix and match look.

Simple Care for Batten Molding Cabinets

Use microfiber cloths and mild cleanser to gently clean batten molding and cabinet surfaces. Avoid harsh chemicals or rough scrubbing that can dull or damage finishes. For deeper cleaning, wipe doors with a mix of 2 cups warm water, 1/2 cup vinegar, and 1/4 cup dish soap. Dry thoroughly with soft cloth.

Refreshing Batten Molding Cabinets

Painting batten molding a crisp new white or on-trend color refreshes the look instantly. For less work, replace existing cabinet doors with new updated door styles. Mixing slab doors, shaker doors, glass fronts, or specialty treatments like tongue and groove, wire mesh, or iron fretwork inserts shakes up the design.

Batten molding's classic appeal and custom cabinetry look never goes out of style. With some creative planning, you can enjoy easy-care batten cabinets with customized style for years of function and beauty.

FAQs

What size molding boards should I use for batten cabinet molding?

For a thinner, more refined look, use 1x2 inch boards. For wider battens with deeper shadow lines, 1x4 or 1x6 boards work well.

What’s the best way to trim out batten molding on corner cabinets?

Battens should be precisely mitered at inside and outside corners for a built-in custom cabinetry look.

Can I install batten molding on ready-to-assemble stock cabinets?

Yes, with some advanced DIY carpentry skills. Specialized tools for precise wood joinery help get good results.

Do battens work on all cabinet door styles?

Batten molding pairs best with flat panel doors like shaker or slab. Avoid ornate raised panel door styles, as these compete visually with battens.