Tips on Installing Hanging Kitchen Cabinets

Hanging kitchen cabinets save space on the counter.

The kitchen is the area of your home that probably needs the most storage space: cups, plates, bowls, baking products, canned food...The list could go on, and each piece needs a place to sit out of the way of your cooking, cleaning, dining and entertaining activities. Nearly every kitchen features cabinets that hang on the wall, leaving as much counter space open as possible. Installing this type of cabinet can increase storage and the appearance of your kitchen.

Things You'll Need

• Tarp or sheeting
• Stud finder
• Pencil
• Level
• 1-by-3-inch wood
• 2½-inch screws
• Drill
• Wood shims
• Clamps
• Long screws
• Filler pieces or molding
• Cabinet hardware

Instructions

1. Protect your counters and floors from sawdust by laying a tarp or plastic sheeting under the installation areas.

2. Locate all of the studs in your kitchen wall with a stud finder. Run the finder over the wall until you find the first stud and mark both edges of the wall with a pencil. The remainder of the studs should each be spaced 16 inches apart. Use your stud finder to confirm and mark both edges of each stud along the walls on which counters will hang.

3. Draw a horizontal line on the walls to mark the bottoms of your cabinets. In general, the cabinets sit 18 to 20 inches above the countertop, although your own installation may vary by preference or size of cabinet. Use a level for drawing the line so the cabinets will sit plumb.

4. Attach a 1-by-3-inch strip of wood along the guideline, with the top of the wood sitting on the guideline indicating the cabinet bottoms. Drill 2½-inch screws into every third stud to secure the wood, which serves as a ledge for the cabinets to sit on while you install. (You will remove the wood later.)

5. Line up your first cabinet with one end of the wood strip and set it to rest on the ledge. Using the same type of screws, attach the cabinet to the wall with screws inside the cabinet near the top and bottom. Use two screws for every stud the cabinet crosses over. Tighten the screws so the cabinet is secure but still features a little wiggle room.

6. Use a level to ensure the side and top of the cabinet sit completely straight and level. If needed, slide thin wooden shims between the cabinet and the wall to push out certain areas to achieve a level installation. When the cabinet sits level, tighten all of the screws to secure the cabinet firmly in place. Cut off any protruding shim pieces with a utility knife.

7. Set the next cabinet in place directly butting the first. Use the same procedure as before to hang, shim and tighten the cabinet into place. Make sure the side of the cabinet sits flush against the edge of the first. Secure all screws.

8. Use clamps to firmly press together the walls of cabinets butting against each other. Attach the clamped pieces using three screws (top, center and bottom) to secure the cabinets together.

9. Install all cabinets using this method. You may need to attach filler pieces between cabinets and walls. When all cabinets are in place, remove the support ledge wood piece by backing out all of the screws and pulling the board away. Fill the holes with putty.

10. Fill any gaps around the cabinets with straight molding, stained or painted to match your cabinets. Attach any knobs, doors or handles with screws, following the manufacturer's guidelines.

Tips & Warnings

• Most purchased cabinets come pre-finished for protection. Custom-made units, however, may need a coat of protective finish to guard against staining and wear. Consult your manufacturer for details.

References

• "This Old House Magazine"; Hanging Kitchen Cabinets; Tim Snyder
• Easy 2: Installing Hanging Cabinets