As homeowners continue to embrace the kitchen as the new living room, comforts like plush chairs and furniture-like accents are making their way into this once sparse, utilitarian space. Now, designers and homeowners alike are turning to decorative moldings to further accent this trend and personalize their home. Cabinetry moldings lend architectural interest and are an easy and affordable way to customize your space.

Trend Watch

With today's trends towards higher ceilings and open floor plans, there's a movement to make cabinetry emulate furniture. From decorative accents to freestanding pieces, cabinets accented with furniture-like accessories such as glass doors and molding build-ups can be matched to various interiors throughout the home. Companies like American Woodmark offer them in a variety of wood species, glazes and finishes.

"Whether homeowners are interested in clean and contemporary, traditional and luxurious, or stylish and fun designs, they are always looking for a way to put their mark on their new space," says Connie Edwards, CKD, CBD, director of design, American Woodmark Corporation. "With American Woodmark's comprehensive offering of decorative accents and molding treatments, it's easy for homeowners to achieve the personalized look they want when remodeling their kitchen."

Easy is Good

So you want to vamp up your existing kitchen space, but have a limited budget -- cabinet moldings are the way to go! Incredibly affordable and a cinch to install, moldings lend a polished, complete look to your cabinetry designs. Prices run the gamut depending on your style and space, so you should work with your Home Depot designer to create the kitchen of your dreams.

Define Your Style

But remember, the key is to have fun and experiment with your ideas. Simply head to your local home center, where you'll find a variety of merchandising tools to help you. For example, American Woodmark is introducing a moldings sample box at The Home Depot that will boast an array of molding options in a variety of wood species and finishes allowing you to touch, feel and find your sensibility. Perhaps a classic crown molding with a lighter-toned dentil style is an ideal addition to your kitchen. Or, try a sophisticated combination of multiple moldings (classic crown, dentil, triple beaded, universal fill and batten) stacked in a five-layer build to add dramatic visual contrast. In fact, stacking assorted molding styles in multiple layers can also address that conundrum of what to do with the space in between the top of the cabinet and the ceiling.