Kitchen Terminology Explained: Cornices, Plinths, Pelmets & More 

From decorative cornices to beautifully detailed end panels, discover the little finishing touches that can make all the difference to your kitchen.

Planning a new kitchen is exciting, but with so many styles, finishes, and design details to consider, you might come across a few unfamiliar terms along the way. 

Cornices, plinths, pelmets… sound familiar, but not quite sure what they mean? 

You’re not alone! While these might not be the first things you think about when dreaming up your new kitchen, they can play an important part in bringing the whole design together. 

Whether you love a clean, contemporary look or something a little more traditional, understanding these finishing touches can help you discover what’s possible and find inspiration for your own space. 

Of course, every kitchen range has its own character, and the finishing options available will depend on the door style you choose. Some details are designed to complement classic cabinetry, while others are better suited to a more streamlined look. 

And the good news? You don’t need to know all the ins and outs yourself. Your STORI kitchen designer is there to guide you, helping you explore the options available within your chosen range and bring all those little details together beautifully. 

So, let’s take a closer look at some of the kitchen terms you might hear along the way.

 

Cornices: A Little Detail at the Top 

Ever noticed the decorative trim that sits along the top of kitchen wall cabinets or tall units? That’s called a cornice. 

It’s a simple finishing touch, but one that can really influence the overall feel of your kitchen. 

Cornices come in different styles, from clean, understated designs to more decorative, traditional profiles. 

A simpler cornice can help create a neat, streamlined look, while a more detailed design can add a touch of elegance and character. 

A little STORI inspiration… 

Take a look at Aldana, where a simple, modern-style cornice complements the range’s beautifully understated shaker design. 

If you prefer something with a more traditional feel, Belgravia offers inspiration for how a decorative cornice can bring extra character to classic cabinetry. 

The cornice styles available will vary between ranges, so it’s worth exploring which options complement your chosen door design. 

Plinths: More Than Meets the Eye

You might not have given much thought to the space beneath your kitchen cabinets, but it’s another area where the finishing details can make a difference. 

A plinth is the panel that runs along the bottom of your base cabinets, hiding the cabinet legs and giving everything a neat, finished appearance. 

And while all plinths serve a practical purpose, they don’t all look the same. 

Standard Plinths 

A standard plinth usually sits slightly back from the cabinet doors, creating a simple, tidy finish. 

It’s a popular choice for kitchens where you want the cabinetry to feel clean and understated, allowing the door style and colour to take centre stage. 

Moulded Skirting Plinths 

If you’re drawn to a more traditional look, moulded skirting plinths can add a lovely decorative touch. 

Rather than sitting discreetly beneath the cabinets, these feature more detailed profiles, similar to the skirting boards you might find around your home. 

They can give kitchen cabinetry a more furniture-like appearance, adding character and a sense of timeless elegance. 

A little STORI inspiration… 

The Lawrenson range offers a lovely example of how moulded plinth detailing can complement a classic kitchen design, while simpler plinth finishes can help create a more understated look. 

Depending on your chosen STORI range, different plinth styles may be available, so it’s worth considering how this detail works with the rest of your cabinetry. 

Sometimes, it’s the smallest choices that make the biggest difference! 

Pelmets: The Finishing Touch Beneath Your Wall Cabinets

If a cornice sits at the top of your cabinets, a pelmet is its counterpart underneath. 

Pelmets are trims fitted along the bottom of wall cabinets, traditionally used to help conceal under-cabinet lighting and give cabinetry a more finished appearance. 

In classic kitchen designs, decorative pelmets can work beautifully alongside matching cornices, bringing a sense of balance and detail to the cabinetry. 

For a more contemporary look, simpler profiles or designs without pelmets can help keep things feeling clean and uncluttered. 

The right approach will depend on your chosen door range, the finishing options available and the overall look you’d like to achieve. 

A little design tip: If you’re planning lighting beneath your wall cabinets, it’s worth chatting to your kitchen designer about how this will be incorporated. They can help you explore the options that work best with your chosen cabinetry. 

End Panels: Beautiful from Every Angle

When you’re choosing your kitchen doors, it’s easy to focus on how the cabinets will look from the front. But what about the sides?  That’s where end panels come in. 

End panels are used to finish the exposed sides of cabinets, helping your kitchen look beautifully considered from every angle. 

And depending on your chosen kitchen range, there may be more than one way to finish them. 

A simple, flat end panel can create a lovely, clean look, particularly if you’re aiming for a more contemporary style. 

But if you’ve fallen in love with a Shaker-style kitchen, you may have the option to carry that same framed detailing through to your end panels. 

Using matching door-style panels can add depth and interest, creating a continuous, furniture-inspired look. This can be particularly effective on kitchen islands, where the sides of your cabinetry are often on show. 

Looking for something a little more bespoke? 

Certain STORI ranges also offer Made to Order options, allowing custom end panels to be created to suit your kitchen design. This opens up even more possibilities for adding those personal finishing touches, whether you’re looking to create a particular framed effect or achieve a beautifully tailored finish. 

A little STORI inspiration… 

With its timeless Shaker styling, Wakefield is a beautiful range to explore for framed cabinetry details. Matching door-style end panels can help carry that classic look around an island or exposed cabinet end, where suitable options are available. 

Your STORI kitchen designer can talk you through the standard and Made to Order options available within your chosen range, helping you achieve a look that feels just right for your space. 

Pilasters: A Touch of Traditional Charm

If you love kitchens with a little extra character, pilasters are another detail worth knowing about. 

Pilasters are decorative upright features that can be added to certain kitchen designs, often at the ends of cabinet runs or around islands. 

Think of them as a way to introduce a little more shape, structure and personality to your cabinetry. 

Some are simple and understated, while others feature more decorative detailing, making them particularly suited to traditional or furniture-inspired kitchens. 

They can look especially lovely alongside moulded skirting plinths, decorative cornices and framed end panels. 

Pilasters aren’t available across every kitchen range, so if this is a detail you love, it’s worth exploring which STORI door styles offer suitable options. 

A little design tip: You don’t need lots of decorative features to create a kitchen full of character. Sometimes, choosing just one or two thoughtful details is enough to make the space feel special. 

Bringing It All Together

When it comes to creating your dream kitchen, it’s often the little details that help make it feel complete. 

From the cornice above your cabinets to the plinths below, every finishing touch can play a part in shaping the overall look of your space. 

And while it’s lovely to explore all the possibilities, remember that not every finishing detail is available across every kitchen style. 

Each STORI range has its own design features and complementary accessories, so the options available will depend on the door style you choose. Your kitchen designer can help you explore what works best, both in terms of what’s available and what will look beautiful together. 

Whether your style is simple and contemporary or classic and full of character, it’s all about finding those finishing touches that feel right for you. 

Feeling inspired?

Explore the STORI collection to discover beautiful kitchen styles, colours and finishing details, or visit your nearest STORI retailer for expert guidance on bringing your ideas to life.