How to Fill the Gap Between Cabinets And Floor

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Follow these easy DIY Steps to Fill that Annoying Gap Between Cabinets and Floor, With Caulk.

If you have that annoying small gap between the cabinet toe kick and the floor, like mine. There’s a super easy fix for that. A thin bead of caulk can fill that small gap between cabinets and floor in less than 30 minutes. I love a quick win, guys!

This DIY works on gaps 1/4″ and smaller. If your gap is larger than a 1/4″, you should use trim first, like quarter round. It’ll look much better and hold up longer than a larger bead of caulk.

Now, I realize some people probably wouldn’t worry about a gap this small. It isn’t something that jumps out at you when you’re in the room. But it definitely annoyed me.

In fact, I’ve wanted to take care of this since our big kitchen remodel. I kinda mentioned the tile and toe kick issue in my 80+ tips for building or planning a remodel. I like to get rid of that small gap between cabinets and floor because it tends to attract crumbs and spills that are impossible to clean.

Filling any small gap under cabinets in the kitchen, bath, and laundry means you don’t have to worry about dirt and sticky liquids collecting there. My boys even managed to slide a puzzle piece across the room and under our cabinets once.

They were so sad that mommy couldn’t get it back out. Now it’s just a hidden treasure that someone will find someday. 😉

After filling this gap under our cabinets our kitchen feels refreshed and more finished. Maybe next weekend, I’ll find time to apply my favorite grout renew and sealer in a few spots. The grout is looking pretty grungy in front of our coffee maker.

I’ll try a quick scrub first, but if that doesn’t work, I know applying grout renew in my original grout color will make it look new again. I shared DIY steps and a short video of me using this in our bathroom, last summer.

Fall 2019 UPDATE: I did this grout refresh update on my kitchen floor. Here’s my YouTube video showing exactly how I used this product to brighten and seal the grout in our kitchen.

OK, let’s get this DIY to fill that small gap between cabinets and floor in your kitchen, laundry, or bathroom started!

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What you Need to Fill the Gap between Floors and Cabinets

• Painter’s Tape
• Caulk (I used this one) and Caulk Gun or a Tube of Caulk that doesn’t require a Caulk Gun – Comes in White, Clear, and a variety of colors too.
• Damp Rag, to clean up
• Cleaner

How to Seal Gaps Under Cabinets with Caulk

Pick a color that matches your cabinets. If you can’t find one, then picking a caulk that matches the floor might work. Just use your best judgement before you apply it. DAP has a range of colors that work with most flooring, even wood floors!

Step 1

Wipe down the cabinets and floor with a simple cleaner and degreaser. Dawn in hot water should work. Then wipe that dry with a cloth. You want the area clean so that the tape and caulk can stick.

Step 2

Once dry, tape off the smallest gap possible with Painter’s tape. You want the tape on the floor to be directly beneath the cabinet toe kick, but not under it. And keep just a hair of cabinet toe kick showing for the top tape line.

Make sure you tape all connecting cabinets in one go. Applying tape to a new section next to wet caulk would be pretty messy. 🙂

Step 3

Before using the caulk, make sure you have enough time to caulk the whole tape line before starting. You will work in small sections to get the caulk looking great. Then, once the whole line is caulked, you remove the tape before it dries.

Now to fill that gap under your cabinets, apply a bead of caulk across the tape line. Work in small sections of 2 or 3 feet so that the caulk doesn’t start drying before you can smooth it.

Use your finger to spread the caulk across that section, while pushing it into the gap. You want it to have a smooth look. It also needs to not be too thick or too thin. Just evenly fill the crack without creating a bubble or hump of caulk. Wipe excess from your finger onto a wet cloth or paper towel.

Step 4

Once the line is smooth and completely filled, you can remove the tape. Make sure you remove that tape before the caulk dries. This will leave you with clean, crisp lines that look great.

Leave that caulk to dry. Caulk shrinks a tiny bit after drying. If, after 24 hours, you have a small gap in a spot or two, just tape off that section and apply a 2nd round of caulk.

That’s it. You’ve just blocked off that crumb and spill catching eye sore that was driving you crazy. 😉 Nice job!!

How to Fill the Gap between Cabinets and Floor

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Easy to Follow DIY Steps to Fill the Gap Between Cabinets And Floor in your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room with caulk.

Materials

• Painters Tape
• Paintable Acrylic Latex Caulk
• Damp Rag

Instructions

1. Wipe down the cabinets and floor with a simple cleaner and degreaser. Dawn in hot water should work. Then wipe that dry with a cloth. You want the area clean so that the tape and caulk can stick.
2. Once dry, tape off the smallest gap possible with Painter’s tape. You want the tape on the floor to be directly beneath the cabinet toe kick, but not under it. And keep just a hair of cabinet toe kick showing for the top tape line. Make sure you tape all connecting cabinets in one go. Applying tape to a new section next to wet caulk would be pretty messy.
3. Before using the caulk, make sure you have enough time to caulk the whole tape line before starting. You will work in small sections to get the caulk looking great. Then, once the whole line is caulked, you remove the tape before it dries. Now to fill that gap under your cabinets, apply a bead of caulk across the tape line. Work in small sections of 2 or 3 feet so that the caulk doesn’t start drying before you can smooth it. Use your finger to spread the caulk across that section, while pushing it into the gap. You want it to have a smooth look. It also needs to not be too thick or too thin. Just evenly fill the crack without creating a bubble or hump of caulk. Wipe excess from your finger onto a wet cloth or paper towel.
4. Once the line is smooth and completely filled, you can remove the tape. Make sure you remove that tape before the caulk dries. This will leave you with clean, crisp lines that look great. Leave that caulk to dry. Caulk shrinks a tiny bit after drying. If, after 24 hours, you have a small gap in a spot or two, just tape off that section and apply a 2nd round of caulk.

Notes

This DIY works on gaps 1/4″ and smaller. If your gap is larger than a 1/4″, you should probably use trim, like quarter round. It’ll look much better and hold up longer than a larger bead of caulk.

Pick a color that matches your cabinets. If you can’t find one, then picking a caulk that matches the floor might work. Just use your best judgement before you apply it. DAP has a range of colors that work with most flooring, even wood floors!

Looking for another Easy Home Maintenance Project?

Here’s how I caulked the backsplash along our kitchen counters too.

Looking for another DIY project with results you’ll love? Check out my easy fix for ugly grout.

And, here’s the 1-Step Fix for a Sun-Damaged, Dry Wood Front Door. I love this DIY!

Or, see how to get that beautiful gas light look by just changing a bulb.

Feeling inspired? Now you’re ready to Fill the Small Gap Between Cabinets and Floor in your Kitchen, Laundry, or Bathroom. Have fun and let me know if you have questions. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.