How to Build & Design Kitchen Cabinets

Building and designing kitchen cabinets is a skill that can take a lifetime to master. Thankfully, you won't have to master all the ins and outs before getting started. Start by doing a little research. Go to your local home center or lumber yard and browse through their kitchen cabinet selection. Pay attention to features you like. Keep a notebook with information to refer to. Buy a book on the subject and spend a little time getting comfortable with the terminology. A little time here will save you a lot of time and money in your kitchen cabinet building.

Things You'll Need

• Cabinet plans
• Tape measure
• Table saw
• Pin nailer and compressor or hammer and finish nails
• 3/4-inch plywood
• 1/4-inch plywood
• Wood glue
• Drill and screws
• Door and drawer hardware

Instructions

Designing the Cabinets

1. Choose construction plans. Wanting custom features doesn't mean you should reinvent the wheel. Pick a plan with features you like. You can always make adjustments. Choose a plan with clear scale drawings, a good materials list and a list of parts to cut.

2. Decide on the number, size and type of units you want. There are three basic varieties of lower units: door units, drawer units and drawer over door units. Upper units are typically open faced or with door units.

3. Choose materials and finish to compliment the existing woodwork. Pick something you can live with for a few years. It is a major expense and a huge time commitment to change it.

4. Draw a floorplan of your new kitchen to scale. Include all cabinets and their sizes. To get an even better idea of how your finished kitchen will look, try a 3-D drafting program, such as the free Sketchup from Google.

5. Use your cabinet construction plans and floor plan to write out a materials list. Be sure to add a little extra on all lumber, 10 percent is usually enough, for mistakes and miscalculations. Don't forget fasteners and glue.

Cutting the Pieces

1. Cut the largest pieces first. Use a table saw if possible. Bulkheads (two for each unit), bottoms (one for each), cleats (two top, two back), doors and drawer fronts are typically cut from ¾-inch plywood or MDF. Drawer boxes are typically ½-inch plywood. Backs and drawer bottoms are cut from ¼-inch plywood. Upper units also require a top. Pieces will vary according to your plan.

2. Double check dimensions and refer to plan for clarification on confusing cuts and other details.

3. Machine pieces with dadoes, slots for backs and drawer bottoms, and shelf pin holes before beginning assembly. Be sure to label similar pieces to avoid confusion.

Assembling Your Cabinets

1. Assemble the box first. Start with the bottom. With glue and nails attach the bulkheads to the sides of the bottom, flush at the front. Attach the top front cleat flush at the top front corner of the bulkheads. Slide the back into place and add the back cleats at top and bottom flat against the outside of the back. Attach another cleat flush with the top of the bulkheads, with the back edge against the inside of the back. For uppers, follow same procedure, substituting solid top for cleats.

2. Assemble the base. This resembles a plywood tray with an open top and has cleats that are used to attach it to the underside of the cabinet bottom, flush with sides and back with 1¼ -inch screws.

3. Assemble the drawer boxes. Attach the two sides to the back and slide the base into the dado until it rests in the slot in the back. Add the front of the drawer box and attach the drawer face with 1-inch screws.

4. Attach hardware according to manufacturer's recommendations, and add doors and drawers. Last but not least, install shelves. Typically, these are supported by small plastic or steel pins in holes drilled for the purpose.

References

• All About Kitchen Cabinets