Install Your Own Kitchen Cabinets

With the right tools and a little know how installing your own kitchen cabinets should not be a problem. You will need access to a miter saw, portable table saw, a couple of drills, a four foot level, clamps and a T-jack. A T-jack can be made by taking a 60 inch 2X4 and attaching an 18 inch cross member to it about 3 inches from the top. It will then form a T and will be used to hold the upper cabinets in place while you attach them to the wall. If you want to know how to install kitchen cabinets simply follow these guidelines. 

The first thing you should do is check the cabinets off on the layout to be sure you have all the cabinets on hand. Next you want to find the high spot of the floor. To do this strike a level line on the wall 34 1/2" from the floor. If you have a laser level it makes a perfect tool to accomplish this. Next measure up from the floor to this line at different intervals around the room to find the high spot.  Once you find the high spot remark the 34 1/2" line. This will be the line to shim your base cabinets to.

I always like to begin installing the upper cabinets first so I don't have to lean over the bases and also so I can use my T-jack. Measure up 54" from the high spot on the floor and mark another level line on the wall. This is the height you will install the uppers. Always begin with the corner cabinet and work your way out. If you're doing a galley kitchen begin with the cabinet that's against an adjacent wall. Make sure this first cabinet is level and plumb. This will make installing the rest of the cabinets much easier. Attach the cabinet to the wall studs by screwing into the nailing strip with 3 1/2" screws. Use at least four screws if possible.

Moving on to the next cabinet you want to clamp the face frames together. Make sure the frames are even and screw the face frames together with 2 1/2" screws. Be sure to drill pilot holes before screwing them together. Make sure this cabinet is level then screw it to the wall. Keep going until you have all the upper cabinets installed.

Installing the base cabinets is next. Once again start in the corner and work your way out. Shim the cabinet up to the 34 1/2" level line. Before screwing it to the wall check it for level from side to side and back to back, shimming as necessary. The only difficult area involving the base cabinets is when you install the sink cabinet. If it goes below a window you want to center it on the window. You will also have to cut out for the plumbing lines and possibly the electrical connection for the garbage disposal. 

Once you have the bases installed all you need to do is install any decorative moldings and adjust the doors and drawer fronts so they line up and open and close properly. You will also want to install the knobs or handles. Once you know how to install kitchen cabinets you can sit back and marvel at how beautiful your new kitchen looks. You can also enjoy that pride and sense of accomplishment you'll get from having done the job yourself.

Design A Kitchen >> Privicy Policy