How to Hang Kitchen Cabinets
Remodeling a kitchen is a big do-it-yourself project, but one that is very satisfying. New kitchen cabinets transform the room and are an important part of the overall look of your kitchen. To hang kitchen cabinets, make sure you have the right tools and understand the steps involved before starting.
- Difficulty:
- Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Pencil
- Tape measure
- Chalk line or ruler for marking straight lines
- Straight wood strips (1-by-4 inches)
- Screwdrivers, soft-headed hammer and other tools as specified in the kitchen cabinet kit
- Wood screws
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1
Measure, then mark. You want a straight line for the top edge and bottom edge of both upper and lower kitchen cabinets. Use a level, and snap a chalk line or draw a straight line with a pencil and ruler.
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2
Hang the upper cabinets first. Just beneath the line at the bottom of the upper cabinet, tack up a straight piece of wood-a 1-by-4 works well-as a temporary support.
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3
Connect the upper cabinets together on the floor or a flat surface. Make sure they are straight with each other.
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4
Find the wall studs, and mark them.
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5
Move the hanging strips of wood on the back of the upper cabinet assembly to match the wall studs by measuring from your wall marks and transferring measurements to the upper kitchen cabinet assembly. Attach the upper cabinet assembly to the wall with the proper screws.
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6
Remove the baseboard for easier assembly, after moving onto the lower cabinets. Mark its location with a straight line.
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7
Construct the base corner unit first. Work outward from the base corner unit to install the other lower cabinets.
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8
Install doors and drawers. Finish off by installing kickplates and the baseboards.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Large home center stores teach courses on how to hang kitchen cabinets. You can also rent or view videos online.
Remember, measurements must include space for a countertop.
Check cabinets or cabinet kits before starting. Make sure they fit by rechecking original measurements.
Locate wall studs before starting, and mark them. This saves time later.
Remove doors and drawers and install frames first to avoid lifting heavy kitchen cabinets into place.
Remember to leave the necessary spaces to accommodate plumbing lines and any other items needed outside the cabinet after you hang it.
Always check instructions with the kitchen cabinet set to make sure you have the right tools and hardware for the job before you start.
Always check and recheck measurements of marks as you go along.
Level everything as you work to make sure it is straight.
Enlist help. This is a not a project you can take on by yourself.
