Installing kitchen cabinets is a fun and inexpensive way to change the heart of your home. It is possible to design a kitchen that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing by arranging the necessary components with a little do-it-yourself excitement and the correct supplies.
Do you see yourself to be someone who isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty and try new things? If so, a do-it-yourself kitchen makeover seems like the ideal project for you!
But don’t assume that since certain kitchens are easier to build than others. Although i am a huge fan of do-it-yourself projects, the decision to install kitchen cabinets yourself is ultimately up to you and your cabinet selection.
You can choose from three different kinds of kitchen cabinets. There are cabinets that are simple to install, cabinets that are relatively easy to install (but need a lot of patience), and cabinets that would make you question your sanity if you ever considered them.
Which option would you want to select?
If you’re as patient as a spider and went with cabinets that aren’t too difficult to set up, then you’ve got flat-pack kitchen cabinets. On the other hand, if you went with cabinets that are so complicated that simply thinking about them makes you insane, then you’re either crazy or you should have gotten custom-made cabinets.
Thanks to everyone who made the astute selection of “easy-to-install cabinets,” you’ve found the right place. In this article, I will show you how to put in pre-assembled kitchen cabinets without hiring a professional. Installing flat-pack kitchen cabinets is going to be very much like that. The time required to install each device must be considered, however, along with the possibility of fake spits and missing screws.
How to Install Kitchen Cabinets on Your Own: A Comprehensive Guide
If you’re planning on installing your kitchen cabinets yourself, this tutorial will give you the rundown on the most important procedures.
Most common cabinet brands and kitchen designs should work with the given instructions. Some manufacturers may have different installation requirements, so it’s important to check with the maker of your cabinets before you install them.
This is a good general outline of the steps involved in installing most cabinets, although there may be some small adjustments required depending on the manufacturer of your cabinets.
Keeping that in mind, if you want to build your own cabinets, here are the procedures to follow!
Select the Style and Layout of Your Cabinets
If you’re planning to install your new kitchen cabinets yourself, the first thing you need to do is choose a style, color, layout, and design for your cabinets. Before deciding on a paint job or foil wrapping for your cabinets, do some research to see what other options are available. Cabinets with a foiled, painted, or laminate finish give off quite varied visual vibes.
If you’re looking for a two-tone mix that complements each other, try painting bottom cabinets with white uppers. Think about the big picture and decide if you want a contemporary, classic, transitional, etc. style. You must also choose between regular and custom-sized cabinets. Personalization ensures a perfect match.
In order to get the most of your newly reorganized workflow, it is important to prioritize storage space and kitchen ergonomics. Before you buy anything, make sure you have a good idea of what your ideal kitchen would look like.
Choose Custom Cabinets and Storage Amenities
Customize your kitchen cabinets to accommodate your family’s requirements and cooking style with features like pull-out fittings in corners, rollouts, pull-out shelves, and more. To showcase cherished tableware in style, think about installing glass-front cabinet doors.
Cabinet interiors may be customized with a plethora of utilitarian features, such as pull-out spice racks, tray dividers, and adjustable shelves. Exceptional task illumination for critical work areas is provided by under-cabinet lighting. Make thoughtful feature selections to make the most of your valuable cabinet space.
Purchase Top-Notch Cabinets and Hardware
If you want high-quality materials that won’t break the bank, do your homework on cabinet brands and read reviews. For the most accurate representation, get samples to see the finishes and foil patterns up close. For a perfect fit, be sure to provide precise measurements for the base, wall, and specialized cabinets.
Go at your own pace; there’s no need to hurry while placing an order. Cabinets will arrive well in advance of installation day if enough time is allowed. Before installing any cabinets, make sure everything is in its original condition, including the boxes, doors, drawers, hardware, lights, knobs, and pulls.
Remove Current Kitchen and Make Any Necessary Pre-Installation Repairs
Before you can install your brand new cabinets, you must fully empty the old kitchen. Take great care not to damage your kitchen walls while you remove the old cabinets. Remove any buildup of caulk and scrape away any debris. If your floors, walls, or ceilings have any underlying issues, such as holes or uneven surfaces, you should fix them before the new installation.
Get rid of any imperfections by sanding, filling, leveling, or replacing them. Make sure to fix any faults in the foundation before installing your new cabinets. Otherwise, they won’t look as good
Gather Necessary Instruments, Hardware, and Supplies
Your work flow will be more efficient if you have the correct do-it-yourself installation gear available. Purchase essential equipment such as a measuring tape, stud finder, laser level, 4-foot level, drill bits, hacksaw, nail gun, and rubber mallet. Protect yourself from harm on the workplace by wearing protective gear such as goggles, gloves, and knee pads.
A strong ladder, drop cloths, wood shims, cabinet screws, and C-clamps are other necessary tools. Keep a supply of rags on hand to wipe off surfaces while you work. To avoid misplacing any hardware or components, keep your work area clean and organized.
Study the Handbooks and View the Tutorials
Unless you know what you’re doing, you should never try to install new kitchen units. Make sure you read the instructions for your new cabinets carefully before you install them. You may see the processes in action by watching video lessons online. Write down the assembly procedures, leveling advice, and measurements.
If you want to learn the ins and outs of installing kitchen cabinets from the pros, enroll in a workshop or class at your local hardware store. Ask a buddy who is good at do-it-yourself kitchen units for advice. When you’re well-prepared, you make fewer errors.
How to Install Kitchen Cabinet by yourself
In this detailed tutorial, we’ll go over everything you need to know to install cabinets, including the proper equipment, any additional materials, and how to get the room ready.
Check out the brand-new cabinetry
Make sure you got the exact measurements, color, and type of cabinets you purchased by opening the packaging and carefully inspecting each item. After purchasing pre-assembled cabinets, double check that every item is securely fastened. Inspect each piece for signs of wear and tear on the door frames, drawer fronts, shelves, and cabinet boxes. Verify that the additional trim or filler strips you requested were really sent.
Inspect the exteriors of the boxes, doors, and drawer fronts for signs of damage if you purchased kitchen cabinets that are ready to be assembled. To make sure you have everything you need, take stock of the shelves, trim, filler strips, and hardware (brackets, drawer slides, hinges, etc.). Assembling your cabinets is the initial step before installation.
Put your RTA kitchen cabinetry together.
For your initial cabinet assembly, you could need around 35 to 40 minutes. It should then take around fifteen to twenty minutes to assemble each subsequent cabinet.
Go over the arrangement of the cabinets.
Do not omit this crucial pre-installation task; doing so will prevent issues in the future.
Feel around the floor for any elevated areas.
A little sloping of the floor is a common result of a home settling with time. If you want your kitchen installation to be perfectly level, you should find the highest point on the floor and work your way down. Instead of trimming a cabinet to fit, you may simply put shims below it to raise it to floor level.
Where on the floor is the highest point?
Next, align a 2-inch-by-4-inch board that is 8 feet long with the wall using a carpenter’s level or laser level. You may use the level as a reference point to guide you throughout the area.
To get a reading of level, shift the bottom of the level. Make a mark on the floor to denote the highest point.
Run the straight edge or level parallel to the wall where the front edge of the cabinet will terminate, then repeat the operation 24 inches away from the wall.
Evaluate the front and rear of the cabinets side by side, along the wall, for their respective high points. The higher point will serve as your point of reference.
For perfectly plumb and level cabinets and countertops, follow this procedure to the letter.
Find any upturned corners in the wall.
Lean your level vertically against the wall. Always keep an eye out for a plumb level or any protrusions from the ceiling to the floor.
Mark the wall at high points or areas where the floor is flat relative to the ceiling as you make your way around the room.
To find the exact location of the upper and lower cabinet runs, measure from the highest point of the wall all the way to the end, such as beside the stove. When installing cabinets, be careful that the higher and lower ones line up.
If you measure from the highest point in the room, your cabinets will line up perfectly with the wall.
See whether there are any horizontal ridges on the wall.
Grasp the wall horizontally with your level. Be on the lookout for anything protruding from the sides or a plumb level.
As you make your way around the space, make note of any walls that have bumps that cause the level to shake. In order to install the cabinet plumb, you will need to shim around that location.
Figure out where the ceiling is highest.
If your design has floor-to-ceiling cabinets, this becomes even more crucial.
To locate any uneven ceiling heights, measure your cabinet height from floor to ceiling.
As you move around the room, make note of the highest point on the ceiling.
To ensure that your finished cabinet lines are perfectly level and square, follow these planning procedures.
Mark the wall at the height at which the base cabinets will end.
Mark the wall at the height you measured for the back of the base cabinets, starting at the highest point of the floor.
Mark the exact location of the base cabinets all throughout the room with a level and draw a horizontal line that extends to the floor.
Get the base cabinet boxes ready for installation by arranging and dry-fitting them, beginning with the corner unit. In keeping with your kitchen’s plan and style, set the remaining cabinets so they sit flush with one another.
Mark and identify the wall where you want each cabinet box to go after you measure it. No base cabinets will be secured at this time.
To avoid any confusion, remember that the front cabinet face frames go beyond the cabinet box on both sides when you measure and draw on the wall. There will be an opening at the rear of the cabinets where the face frames of the cabinets will meet. As you make marks on the wall, be sure to stick to that area. If the cabinet doesn’t sit flat against the wall, you may have to use a shim.
Make sure the cabinet doors open in the right way if they are pre-installed, and double-check the dimensions of the openings for the dishwasher, sink, and stove.
At this point, the age-old debate arises: the foundation or the walls? Before putting in the walls, some installers will tell you to make sure the base cabinets are out of the way, while others will tell you to put in the walls first and then the base cabinets.
It comes down to your taste and how you feel about things; there is no absolute correct answer. Start by attaching a furring strip to the line you marked out on the wall for the base and wall cabinets. Then, screw in a support strip. This will provide necessary support for the cabinets and make it easier to maintain their level.
Putting in the upper wall cabinets first.
To find out how tall your top wall cabinets will be, measure down from the highest point in the ceiling.
Mark two more locations on the ground, one to the right and one to the left of your first mark; then, draw a straight horizontal line connecting the two places.
Complete the task all the way around the room where the top cabinets will be hung.
Write the names and locations of the top cabinets on the wall.
Examine the arrangement and the level of the cabinets again.
Plan the installation of the top wall cabinets by laying them out around the space. While you’re putting in the top cabinets, the base cabinets will stay out of the way.
Find the studs in the wall
Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall. Installing the cabinets securely requires screwing them into the studs.
Make a mark with a pencil on the wall close to the middle of each stud.
Using a carpenter’s level, completely extend the lines along the wall. Make sure the lines are kept pumping.
Identify the spot on the rear of the cabinet that will touch the wall stud. Use them as a guide to drill a tiny pilot hole into the top and bottom of every cabinet. If you drill pilot holes, fastening the cabinet to the stud will be easy.
If you’d rather not mark the wall studs with a pencil after painting, you may use painter’s tape. Rather of using the wall as a guide, mark your centerline on the tape.
Hang up your ledger.
While you fasten the cabinet to the studs, tie a thin piece of wood or ledger to each stud where it will sit.
Choose the right hardware for the installation.
Get out the 3-inch #10 screws and fasten the cabinet to the wall studs. For this particular need, many manufacturers provide washer-head screws. Because they have a washer in their design, these screws are superior.
Work in drywall:
Toggle bolts may be used to secure the cabinet to drywall in the absence of studs. Be sure to drill holes before using toggle bolts. Additionally, you need to fasten these cabinets to a neighboring cabinet using the drywall anchors.
Get the corner cabinets set up.
Corners are a good place to start since that’s where two sets of kitchen cabinets will meet.
Open the cabinets and put the doors to one side.
After marking the stud positions on the back of the cabinet with a pencil, begin screwing into the installation rail(s) to transfer them to the cabinet.
Place the corner cabinet on the wall stud mark and use the ledger as a footing for additional stability.
Verify the cabinet’s levelness using a level. If it isn’t quite flush with the wall, put a shim to level it.
Mount the cabinet to the wall using the hardware that is suitable for your wall type.
To install the remaining cabinets, start at the corners and work your way outward.
Put the cabinets in place.
After the first cabinet is firmly in place, use C-clamps to fasten the second cabinet to it.
Once both cabinets are flat and level, adjust the clamps and re-clamp the second one. Incorporate wooden spacers as needed.
Once the cabinets are level and flat, secure them in place using your clamp. Create a pilot hole by drilling through the side of the faceframe with a 3/32 drill bit. Holes should be drilled into each wall cabinet. inside the cabinet, from top to bottomConnect the two cabinets using a 2 1/2-inch, #8 screw.
To make the screw seem uniform, countersink it.
Never use the side panels to fasten cabinets; instead, use the face frame.
Set up the other cabinets.
Advice from an expert:
Wait until you’ve affixed each cabinet in turn before tightening the mounting screws.
Make a 3/16-inch pilot hole through the panel and into the stud at the stud positions on the rear panel of the cabinet.
Screw the cabinets together using #8 x 2 ½” trim head screws once the pilot holes have been bored. Both cabinets on each side of the wall should be securely fastened.
Put a 3-inch, #10 screw into the wall stud to fasten the cabinet. If it is necessary to level, insert a shim.
Make sure not to push the screw head into the surface of the cabinet while tightening the mounting screws against the rear of the cabinets after you’ve connected all of them. Before you fasten any cabinet, make sure it stays level.
Be sure to adjust the drawers.
Your kitchen cabinet installation will be almost finished after you have hung all of the cabinets and replaced the doors. Still, make sure the drawer fronts are level by adjusting them as needed.
Loosen the screws that secure the drawer slides to the cabinet frame in order to make adjustments to the drawer fronts. Before you tighten the screws, make sure the drawer is vertically aligned.
Punch a pilot hole that is 1/8 inch deep into the second hole that is under the drawer glide. The drawer may be fastened by driving a 5/8-inch, #8 screw into it.
Check the alignment of the cabinet drawers and doors by looking at them from the front.
Prepare the cabinet doors by drilling holes for the knobs and pulls.
Make sure the door knobs are in the correct places by measuring twice before you drill.
The handles or pulls may be fastened by drilling a pilot hole of 1/8 inch and driving a #8 screw of 5/8 inch into the hole.
Proceed in the same manner with the base cabinets.
Get the corner cabinets set up.
Open the cabinets and put the doors to one side.
After marking the stud positions on the back of the cabinet with a pencil, begin screwing into the installation rail(s) to transfer them to the cabinet.
Place the corner cabinet on the wall stud mark and use the ledger as a footing for additional stability.
Verify the cabinet’s levelness using a level. If it isn’t quite flush with the wall, put a shim to level it.
Mount the cabinet to the wall using the hardware that is suitable for your wall type.
To install the remaining cabinets, start at the corners and work your way outward.
Join the base cabinets.
After you have the first base cabinet in place, use C-clamps to attach the second cabinet to it.
Once both cabinets are flat and level, adjust the clamps and re-clamp the second one. Incorporate wooden spacers as needed.
Once the cabinets are level and flat, secure them in place using your clamp. Create a pilot hole by drilling through the side of the faceframe with a 3/32 drill bit. Every base cabinet need to have three holes. inside the cabinet, from top to bottomConnect the two cabinets using a 2 1/2-inch, #8 screw.
To make the screw seem uniform, countersink it.
Never use the side panels to fasten cabinets; instead, use the face frame.
Put the other base cabinets in place.
Warning: Tightening mounting screws is dangerous; wait to do it until you’ve assembled all of the cabinets.
Make a 3/16-inch pilot hole through the panel and into the stud at the stud positions on the rear panel of the cabinet.
Put a 3-inch, #10 screw into the wall stud to fasten the cabinet. If it is necessary to level, insert a shim.
Make sure not to push the screw head into the surface of the cabinet while tightening the mounting screws against the rear of the cabinets after you’ve connected all of them.
Before you fasten any cabinet, make sure it stays level.
Get the drawers on the base of the cabinet all set.
Even after you’ve put in every base cabinet and changed the doors, you may have to level the drawer fronts.
Loosen the screws that secure the drawer slides to the cabinet frame in order to make adjustments to the drawer fronts. Before you tighten the screws, make sure the drawer is vertically aligned.
Punch a pilot hole that is 1/8 inch deep into the second hole that is under the drawer glide. The drawer may be fastened by driving a 5/8-inch, #8 screw into it.
Check the alignment of the cabinet drawers and doors by looking at them from the front.
Prepare the cabinet doors by drilling holes for the knobs and pulls.
Make sure the door knobs are in the correct places by measuring twice before you drill.
The handles or pulls may be fastened by drilling a pilot hole of 1/8 inch and driving a #8 screw of 5/8 inch into the hole.
The next steps, after installing the wall and base cabinets, are to install the finishing molding, crown, scribe, and toekick.
The techniques described here are the most common ones used to install kitchen cabinets. Before beginning any cabinet installation job, be sure you have read and followed the manufacturer’s instructions. Beyond what is described here, the instructions may also include hardware or techniques.