[Dewey]

We are installing an L-shaped Stat kitchen. Cabinets are in place. Plan is to add undercabinet lighting with the deco strip to the wall cabinets. We've added cover panels to the ends, but now realize we may have missed some cover panels. Confusion reigns. Over the range we have a shorter cabinet to account for the microwave/hood. We also have a shorter cabinet over the sink. Our questions are:

1)Should we have cover panels on each side of the short cabinets OR can we miter the deco strips and attach them on the front and side of the longer cabinets next to the range and sink?
2)If we do add the cover panels beside the short cabinets, should we also add cover panels to the base cabinets so that the sink and the range line up with the wall cabinets?
3)If we do not have room to add the cover panels to the base cabinets (this may be the case on the sink side) will the small difference in alignment between the wall and base cabinets be noticeable?

Hubby and I have very different views on these questions and are butting heads on how to proceed. Any help you can give us would be much appreciated.

[Zenoforum]

Calm,everything is ok as long as you think this:

- The low and up fronts are aligned, so we're talking about deco strips and panels, which are slim tiny elements that finish the ends;

That said think with me, you need partial cover panel, not the whole panel on those 2 cabinets. Right?

before cutting tru a good panel or strip, get some leftovers, and try to picture those in place (ductape!? them!?).

Then if everything's ok finish the d@*n thing, by cutting and screwing into place.

Please take a look at my scheme.

Zé

[Zenoforum]

BTW I prefer where a cover panel covers all the way back the bottom of those higher wall cabinets, but that's jsut me.

[NBeth]

Hi,

Many people prefer cover panels but they are not necessary with Stat and white frames, so you have more choices. If you want the cover panels, I agree, cut so that you don't have to insert between other cabs. Therefore no lineup issues!

We have under cab lighting for the lone wall cab over our sink and will eventually miter decor strip around three sides. That's because our odd geometry would have required a lower installation if we used side space for cover panels, so we have none:

Re: Deco strips and cover panels, help save our marriage! 

I think the deco mitering would work for you too. And if you go for that sort of thing, we've been very happy with the hitachi 10" compound miter saw (aka power TOY) my husband purchased recently. Good control and clean cuts so far.

[Dewey]

Thank you Zenoforum and NBeth for your advice! After a lot of discussion we went ahead and added the full cover panels in the sink side. Unfortunately, we don't have room to add even one cover panel or filler piece to the base cabinets so we'll just deal with the 1 inch difference. On the range side, once we have installed the microwave/hood we will either miter the deco strips or use a short cover panel. We're getting so close to the end. I think our marriage is going to make it through... :-)