How to Install Kitchen Cabinets Like a Pro: The Ultimate Guide

The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, and installing new cabinets can breathe new life into this essential space. Whether you're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a novice looking to tackle a home improvement project, installing kitchen cabinets is a rewarding endeavor that can enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of your kitchen. In this step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing kitchen cabinets like a pro.

Assemble or Ready to Assemble Cabinets?

Assembled or ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets are both great options for your DIY remodel project. Installing your cabinets at home should take a novice anywhere between one and three days, depending on your kitchen size and the type of cabinet you picked. RTA cabinets will likely add an extra day to your project, as you have to assemble each cabinet before installing it. However, RTA cabinets can be shipped much faster because they're packed in flat boxes. For a project with a tight timeline, RTA cabinets are usually the better choice.

Before You Start

Before you begin assembling your dream kitchen, it's crucial to note that these instructions are based on common cabinet installation methods. Always refer to the manufacturer's directions for specific products and recommended installation techniques, including any additional hardware or methods.

Before you dive in, keep the following in mind:

• Block off at least a whole day. DIY kitchen cabinet installation isn't a quick job, especially if you want to do it right.
• Get a friend or two to help. There are some key steps where having a pair of helping hands is a must.
• Check and double-check your measurements at every step. It might not be visible to the naked eye, but most floors and walls are uneven, so you can't extrapolate or assume your measurements. Even if it's just a little off, you'll notice when the project is done
• If your kitchen makeover involves painting the ceiling and walls, consider completing this task before cabinet installation to save time and effort in masking off your new cabinets.

Inspect the Cabinets 

If your new cabinets are pre-assembled, inspect them as soon as they arrive and check each piece against your order. Open the packaging for the assembled kitchen cabinets to ensure you have all of the pieces – cabinet boxes, shelves, doors and drawer fronts – and check for damage from shipping. Be sure any extra trim and filler strips that you ordered were included in the delivery.

There are many varieties of ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets. If the cabinets you purchased need to be assembled, now is the time to do that, but don’t attach the cabinet hardware, doors or drawer fronts yet.

Tools and Materials Needed 

Materials:

• Kitchen cabinets
• Cabinet screws
• Shims
• Wood glue
• Cabinet hardware (knobs, handles)
• Painter's tape

Tools:

• ​Tape measure
• Laser level like: DOVOH 360 Laser Level H3-360G
• Screwdriver or drill
• Stud finder
• Pencil
• Jigsaw
• Clamps
• Utility Knife

 Measure and Plan

Measure the dimensions of your kitchen and carefully plan the layout of your new kitchen cabinets. Take note of the locations of electrical outlets, plumbing, and any obstacles that may affect the installation. Use painter's tape to mark the positions of the cabinets on the walls, providing a visual guide during installation.

Find the High Spot on the Floor

Kitchen floors, especially in older homes, are frequently not perfectly level and flat. It's essential to assume that your floor has a high point and locate it. Shimming a cabinet to achieve level and plumb is much simpler than cutting the bottom to ensure a square and flush fit. This phase is crucial because the success of your DIY project relies on the reference point you establish. Take your time to ensure accuracy.

To locate the highest and lowest spots on the floor, follow these steps:

1. Place the level on a tripod and turn it on.
2. Make a quick sketch of the floor plan.
3. Pick a spot on the wall and extend a tape measure to the floor. Note the measurement where the laser beam crosses the tape, and mark this on your sketch. Then check other areas of the floor and jot down these measurements.
4. The location with the smallest dimension is the highest spot, and the difference between the largest and the smallest dimensions tells you how much the floor is out of level.
5. Repeat the above process 24 inches out from the wall, running the straight edge or level parallel to the wall where the front of the cabinets will be placed.
6. Compare the high point on the front of the cabinets with the back of the cabinet along the wall. Use the higher point as your reference mark for the installation.
7. Add shims to level out the cabinets before you screw them into the wall. 

How to Use a Laser Level to Check for Bumps on the Wall

1. Select the wall you want to check for bumps. Make sure it's clean and free of any obstructions.
2. If you're using a tripod, place the DOVOH 360 Laser Level H3-360G on it and position it at a convenient height on the floor. If you don't have a tripod, you can place the laser level on a stable surface.
3. Switch on the laser level and let it project a straight, horizontal line onto the wall.
4. Measure a reference height from the floor where you want to start checking for bumps. Mark this height on the wall using a pencil or masking tape.
5. Move the laser level horizontally along the wall, keeping the laser line at the reference height. Ensure the laser line remains straight and level.
6. As you move the laser level, mark the points where the laser line deviates from the reference height. If the laser line is above the reference height, it indicates a low point or bump. If it's below, it indicates a high point or protrusion.
7. If you have a spirit level, you can use it to double-check the accuracy of the laser level. Adjust the laser level as needed to maintain a straight and level line.
8. Once you've marked the high and low points, evaluate the overall pattern. This will help you understand the nature of the bumps or irregularities on the wall.
9. If the bumps are due to uneven surfaces, you may need to sand, patch, or level the wall as necessary. If it's a structural issue, you may need professional assistance.

Find the Studs

Locate and mark studs Use a stud finder to locate and mark the position of wall studs. Mounting cabinets directly onto studs ensures stability and durability. Mark the stud locations on the wall using a pencil.

Select the Correct Hardware 

In addition to having the appropriate tools for cabinet installation, it is crucial to carefully choose the right hardware based on your wall type.

Installation on the Wall Stud: 

Opting to mount cabinets to a wall stud is typically the preferred method. Utilize 3-inch #10 screws for securing them to the wall studs. Some manufacturers offer specialized washer-head screws designed explicitly for this purpose, and they are highly recommended due to the built-in washer in the head, providing optimal support.

Drywall Installation: 

When mounting cabinets on drywall, especially when a wall stud is not available, toggle bolts are the recommended choice. Toggle bolts necessitate pre-drilled holes. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that cabinets are securely fastened to an adjacent cabinet for stability.

Mark off Measurements 

Add markings for any appliances and fixtures you’ll install. If you’re planning to add appliances such as refrigerators or any fixtures, measure them first so you know how much space you need to leave open. Mark their measurements on your walls so you can install your cabinets around them

Start with marking off the measurements for the base kitchen cabinets in your installation.

1. Starting from the designated mark indicating the highest point on the floor, measure precisely 34 ½ inches (the standard height of base kitchen cabinets) and mark the wall. Establish a level line at this marked point on the wall and extend it consistently throughout the space where the base cabinets will be positioned. 
2. Conduct a dry fit of the base cabinet boxes, arranging them starting with the corner piece and ensuring they align seamlessly according to your kitchen design. 
3. Measure each cabinet box's location on the wall, marking and labeling accordingly. When executing measurements and outlines on the wall, take into account that the cabinet face frames extend beyond the cabinet box on both sides. This ensures that when the cabinet face frames meet, there is a space at the back of the cabinets. Maintain this space while marking locations on the wall. 
4. Verify measurements for dishwasher, sink, and stove openings. Additionally, confirm that if the cabinet doors are pre-installed, they open in the correct direction.

Tip: Cabinet boxes are much easier to install when drawers and doors are removed. Use painter’s tape to label shelves, doors and drawers with their corresponding cabinet. Move them out of your work area. The manufacturer's instructions will show you precisely how to hang cabinet doors once the boxes are installed, but you must match the doors to the correct box.

Install Upper Cabinets First

Start with the upper cabinets. Begin by attaching a ledger board to the wall at the desired height for the cabinets. This temporary support will hold the cabinets in place during installation. Use a DOVOH High Visibility Laser Level to ensure the ledger board is straight.

Hang Upper Cabinets With the ledger board in place, carefully hang the upper cabinets on the wall, aligning them with the marked stud locations. Secure the cabinets to the wall using cabinet screws. Use shims to ensure that the cabinets are level and plumb.

Install Base Cabinets 

Once the upper cabinets are securely in place, move on to the base cabinets. Start in a corner and work your way along the wall. Use a DOVOH 3 Plane Laser Level H3-360G to ensure that the base cabinets are level and shim as needed. Secure the cabinets to the wall and to each other using screws.

1. Draw a level line 19 ½ inches above the top line of the base cabinets that you drew in the last step. The 19 ½-inch measurement allows a 1 ½-inch-thick countertop plus 18 inches for a code-defined distance between the cabinets and countertops.
2. Mark and label the position of all of the upper cabinets on the wall with a pencil and level to double-check your layout.
3. Plan to install wall kitchen cabinets first. That way, the base cabinets won’t be in your way while you’re installing the upper cabinets.

Install the Doors and Toe Kick

Now it’s time to install the kitchen cabinet doors. Screw the cabinet doors into place. For traditional hinges, drive small screws through the hinges into doors. If your cabinet doors snap into place, install them into the proper slots. Open and close the doors a few times to make sure they’re firmly and securely attached.

• Your cabinet doors likely came with special screws for you to use, but if you don’t have them, try looking up the cabinets online to see what screws you need to use.
• If any of the doors are hanging unevenly, remove and adjust the hinges, and reattach the doors to straighten them out.

Fasten the toe kick trim with 1-inch (2.5 cm) brads. Toekick trim covers the small gap between the base of your cabinets and the floor. Fit the toe kick into place and drive small brads, also known as brass fasteners, into it to secure it

Set the drawers in their tracks and push them into place. Align the tracks on the bottom of a drawer with the tracks in the drawer-slot of your cabinet. Slide your drawer onto the track and push it all the way into your cabinet. Add any additional drawers following the same method.

Touch Up Checklist

• Recess the nail heads with a nail set and cover them with wood putty or color-matched wax sticks.
• If there’s crown molding to trim out the upper cabinets, miter the joints at the outside corners and cope the joints at the inside corners. 
• Align the molding’s bottom edge with a level layout line marked above the tops of the doors. 
• Fasten the molding to the cabinet with 1- to 2-inch finish nails. Glue the molding’s end joints. 
• Recess the nailheads with a nail set and cover them with wood putty or color-matched wax sticks.
• Touch up paint on cabinets if needed.

Add Cabinet Hardware 

After all the cabinets are installed, add the finishing touches by attaching cabinet hardware such as knobs and handles. This step not only enhances the appearance of the cabinets but also improves their functionality.

Make Necessary Cutouts 

If your cabinets require cutouts for appliances or outlets, use a jigsaw to carefully make these adjustments. Measure and mark the areas to be cut, then proceed with precision.

Final Adjustments 

Once all cabinets are in place, make final adjustments to ensure everything is level and properly aligned. Tighten screws, remove any remaining shims, and make any additional adjustments as needed.

After you install all of your cabinets and replace the doors, your DIY kitchen cabinet install is nearly complete. It may be necessary to adjust the drawer fronts, so they are all level. 

Installing kitchen cabinets is a fulfilling project that can significantly transform your kitchen. By following this step-by-step guide and paying attention to detail, you can achieve professional-looking results. Whether you're creating a brand-new kitchen or giving your existing space a facelift, the satisfaction of a well-installed set of cabinets will make the effort worthwhile.

You may also like: How to Fix a Broken Sink Stopper 

Warnings

• Avoid trying to lift the upper cabinets yourself. You could injure yourself and potentially damage the cabinets if you drop them.
  
• If you have gas or electric lines that need to be run through your cabinets, contact a professional such as a licensed contractor or electrician so you can make sure the job is done safely and up to code.

Frequently Asked Questions