i have said from the start of the the kitchen reno that i want the space between upper cabs and ceiling enclosed (previos kitchen the cabinets were shorter and open at the top, and it was a horrible, grimy mess.) There is a bit over three inches of gap and it seems pretty consistent for the most part. i have been thinking to add crown moulding. Contractor has suggested using the IKEA deco strip with a panl behind to enclose the space.

while I don’t mind the IKEA deco strip, it does leave a shadow (I know for some a shadoe crown is "a look", just not sure it is mine), and i am nit sure how it will look with a panel behind. any opinions/advice on this?

If I go with crown moulding, how do I determine how big it should be. dimensions at HD website appear to be for the flat height - how does that work when angled.

adding some pics along with a pick of other trim in our house (we don’t have crown moulding elsewhere, so it would be just for the cabinets, not continuing on the wall).