Cart (0)

Adding to cart
Empty cart

Want to skip IKEA completely? We now offer CABINETS to make your project even more custom! Learn more

FAQ Panels and Trim

What is the difference between a panel and a filler?

Panels are meant to cover the entire side of the box while a filler is meant to “fill” in a small space (4” or less) from a cabinet to a wall.

PANEL

FILLER

 

What is trim?

Trim is a catch all term for all decorative molding and pieces placed on or around cabinet fronts for aesthetic purposes. Here’s a list of the trim pieces we have available and their primary use:

- 5” x 93” Plinth/Trim = There are four main uses for this:

1. Plinth. “Plinth” is another way of saying “toe-kick”, which is the material that is tucked underneath the cabinets to hide the adjustable feet and the space underneath.

2. Light Rail. Light Rail is a decorative molding applied to the bottom of wall cabinets to provide a finished look. It is specifically used to help mask the installation of under cabinet lighting and is typically 1 ½” tall.

3. Wall Trim. Wall Trim is a decorative molding, usually 3” tall, that sits above the wall cabinets and stretches very close to the ceiling. Crown molding (which we do not sell) can be applied to the Upper Trim.

4. Tall Filler. See the FAQ #6.

 

- 24” x 5” Cabinet Trim = Used in conjunction with a built-in appliance, like a microwave. The width is equal to the doors and drawer faces (23 7/8”). 


- 30” x 5” Cabinet Trim = Used in conjunction with a built-in appliance, often an oven. The width is equal to the doors and drawer faces (29 7/8”). 


- 36” x 5” Cabinet Trim = Used in conjunction with a built-in appliance, often an oven. The width is equal to the doors and drawer faces (35 7/8”). 


- 30” x 5” Fridge Trim = Used to cover the gap underneath a fridge cabinet and above the fridge. The width equals the cabinet box (30”). 


- 36” x 5” Fridge Trim = Used to cover the gap underneath a fridge cabinet and above the fridge. The width equals the cabinet box (36”). 

 

How do I know how much trim and filler to order?

Determining filler is straight forward

  1. Find all the spots where cabinets meet the walls 
  2. Add a filler piece for every cabinet in that spot (order the same height as the cabinet) 

Determining toe kick/plinth/trim is about simple math and we made that easy for you!

Need to find out how much toe-kick/plinth/trim you need? Click here for our toe kick calculator.

Note: one piece of toe kick/plinth/trim can provide 93” of both Wall Trim and Light Rail or two pieces of Light Rail.  

 

Where do panels go?

Here are the three main instances where a panel is needed: 

Panels cap the end of a cabinet run that doesn’t terminate at a wall. 

 

Panels can also separate deep and shallow cabinet sections, such as next to a refrigerator. 

 

Panels can offer support for the countertop when a cabinet run ends with an appliance. 

 

How do I know which size panel to purchase?

There are three different types of panels to choose from, each corresponding to the type of cabinet to which it is affixed: wall, base, and tall. Here is a list of the panels available and their most popular applications:

WALL

 

  • 17” x 32” = Meant to be affixed to 30” high wall cabinets. The panel comes over-sized and needs to be scribed to the wall. It can also be cut to exactly 30” if there is no light rail being used. Use this size for 20” and 15” high cabinets as well. 
  • 17” x 42” = Meant to be affixed to 40” high wall cabinets. The panel comes over-sized and needs to be scribed to the wall. It can also be cut to exactly 40” if there is no light rail being used. Use this size for shallow (15” deep) base cabinets as well. 

 

BASE

 

  • 26” x 30” = Meant to be affixed to a base cabinet for a floating look (panel doesn’t extend to the floor). The panel comes over-sized and needs to be scribed to the wall.
  • 26” x 36” = Meant to be affixed to a base cabinet. The panel comes over-sized and needs to be scribed to the wall and to the floor. Also used as the end panel for single, 24” deep cabinet island/peninsulas with a back panel. In this use, scribe to floor only. 
  • 40” x 36” = Meant as an end cap for back to back, 24” and 15” deep base cabinet island/peninsulas. Scribe to floor only. 
  • 49 ¼” x 36” = Meant as an end cap for back to back, 24” and 24” deep base cabinet island/peninsulas. Scribe to floor only. 
  • 95” x 36” (36” x 95” tall panel) = Meant as a back panel for single, 24” deep cabinet island/peninsulas. Cut to length and scribe to the floor. Note: Impressions will run horizontally in this application.

 

TALL

 

  • 17” x 95” = Meant to be affixed to a shallow (15” deep) tall cabinet (80” or 90” high). Scribe to the wall and to the floor. It can also be used with stacked wall cabinets.
  • 26” x 95” = Meant to be affixed to a regular (24” deep) tall cabinet (80” or 90” high). It is also used to flank cabinet-depth refrigerators. Scribe to the wall and to the floor.
  • 36” x 95” = Meant to flank deeper refrigerators.

 

What is a filler and where does it go?

Fillers “fill” the gaps between cabinet runs and existing walls. They can also be used to create corners between perpendicular cabinet runs. These fillers are the exact same texture and tone as your cabinet faces, must be ripped down to size, and allow you to create a seamless, built-in look. Fillers are available in these sizes:

  • 4” x 30” wall filler = Used next to base and 30” high wall cabinets
  • 8” x 30” wall filler = Used next to base and 30” high wall cabinets in a corner application
  • 4” x 40” wall filler = Used next to 40” high wall cabinets
  • 5” x 93” plinth/trim/toe kick = Can be used next to 80” and 90” tall cabinets
  • 5” x 95” tall filler = can be used next to tall cabinets or next to a refrigerator as a“dummy” panel  

Fillers need to be cut down to fit into these gaps. We always recommend a professional installer accomplish this for you. Please reference our installation manual for more information.

 

What's the difference between a pull-out and a drawer?

Technically, just the height of the piece. Pull-Out doors are like big drawers; they are drilled to fit with Ikea’s High Maximera drawer, just like a 15” tall drawer face. This is the only attachment point that we provide. Note: The 12” wide, pull-out hardware from Ikea comes with a top-drawer attachment template.

 

Why would I want a pull-out instead of drawers or a door?

Pull-Outs are often used to house trash and recycling receptacles.