Step-by-Step Do It Yourself Kitchen Cabinet Installation
Kitchen cabinets may look like they're just hanging on the wall, but proper installation requires some specific steps regarding support and alignment. The cabinets have to be mounted directly to wall studs, not just plaster or drywall. They have to be level, of course, but they also have to be plumb -- straight up and down. This isn't as simple as it sounds if the walls are leaning forward or back, as they often do in old homes. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Level
- Stud finder (electronic)
- Cabinets
- Power drill
- Pilot bit
- Screwdriver bit
- Mounting screws, 2 1/2-inch
- Washers
- Shims
Instructions
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1
Measure the dimensions of the first cabinet, taking the height and width from the back of it (the part that will be against the wall). Transfer those dimensions to the wall, using a pencil and level. Make sure the horizontal spans are level and the vertical spans are plumb. Position the layout so the bottom of the cabinet will be between 16 and 20 inches above the counter, depending on your preference.
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2
Use your stud finder to locate all the studs in the wall within the marked area. Draw vertical lines with your pencil and level to show their positions.
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3
Measure from one vertical edge of the marked-out area to the center of each of the studs, to assess where they will be in relation to the back of the cabinet. Transfer those measurements to the back of the cabinet, drawing vertical lines on the back in the same positions as the lines on the wall.
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4
Drill two pilot holes through the back of the cabinet, 6 inches from the top and bottom, on each line.
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5
Re-load your drill with its screwdriver bit. Hold the cabinet against the wall, lining it up with the marked-out area. Drill mounting screws with washers through each of the pilot holes, into the stud behind it.
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6
Hold the level vertically along the front of the cabinet and assess whether it's leaning forward or back (as the result of a leaning wall). Loosen the screws on the top or bottom of the back of the cabinet, depending on which side has to come out to get it plumb. Slide shims behind it to brace it. Once it's right, tighten the screws. Repeat for each cabinet.
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