How to Install Base & Wall Kitchen Cabinets
Planning & preparation
- Here we are going to show you how to install base and wall kitchen cabinets. Bear in mind that fitting instructions may vary depending on the design, so be sure to always check the manufacturer’s instructions that will be provided in the pack
- Before you begin, lay all the parts out on the floor. This is a good way to check you have everything you need and to get a sense of how the parts will fit together
- Empty the provided fittings into a bowl or keep them sealed in their plastic bags so they don’t get lost
- Check the area where you plan to fit your cabinets with a pipe, cable and stud detector. If you are fixing into a timber frame wall, mark the position of the studs accordingly
Do it right
- Beware of uneven flooring. If your flooring is uneven, adjust the legs of your cabinets until they are level before fully installing
- Take care not to over-tighten the screws as this can damage your cabinets
- Always use the provided fixing and ensure that your cabinets are level
- When drilling into the wall, clearly mark guide holes to ensure accuracy
- Hanging a wall cabinet or a large base cabinet can be a two-person job. Be sure to ask for help when lifting and fitting if required
- When fixing doors and handles, make sure you use a stepladder rather than stand on the base cabinets or worktop, as this can cause unnecessary damage
Staying safe
- Ask for assistance when lifting heavy cabinets
- Wear safety goggles and take care when drilling
- Wear safety goggles and a dust mask when using a jigsaw or circular saw
- This guide is designed to walk you safely through the process of installing base and wall kitchen cabinets. If you’re in any doubt, please seek advice from an expert and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
Aftercare
- A few weeks after installation, check the fixings (both those linking the cabinets and those attaching them to the wall), and adjust if necessary
- Always use cleaning products that are appropriate for your cabinets to avoid damaging the material. You should be able to find guidance on this in your manufacturer’s instructions
How to install base cabinets
Starting in a corner, mark a line along the wall where the top of the cabinet is going, using a spirit level to keep the line straight.
As floors can be uneven, periodically check the distance from the line to the floor with a measuring tape to be sure your cabinets will fit beneath.
Starting in the corner, place the first unit into position so it is resting with its back edge against the wall.
Check the unit is level using a spirit level, twisting the legs to adjust them as necessary.
Add the next cabinet. Clamp adjacent cabinets together with two Powagrip clamps, one at the top and one at the bottom.
To attach the cabinets together, remove the hinge plates. Drill and screw through the adjacent cabinet using the screws provided. Then replace the hinge.
Attach L-shape brackets to the side panels near the top where they will meet the wall. Mark the drill holes onto the wall with a pencil.
Using the appropriate drill bit for your wall type, drill a hole to the length of your screw, tap in a wall plug and screw the L-shape bracket into place. Check the holes are level.
Continue until all of the cabinets are in position.
At the end of a row, you will need to attach a side panel. You might need to trim this down to the correct width using a circular saw or jigsaw.
If necessary, cut the side panel to fit around the skirting board. Mark the height and width of the skirting board onto the panel using an off-cut and then cut out with a jigsaw.
Clamp the side panel to the cabinet and remove the hinges. Drill and screw from the inside of the cabinet into the side panel, being careful not to go through the side panel. Replace the hinges.
How to install wall cabinets
Starting in a corner, draw a line at the height where you want the bottom of your cabinet to be using a measuring tape, spirit level and pencil.
Use the spirit level to mark exactly where the outline of the cabinet will be, making sure the corners are clearly defined.
At the back of the cabinet, you’ll find the hooks that will attach it to the wall bracket. Using a tape measure, measure the distance these hooks are from top and side of the cabinet.
Mark these measurements onto the outline you’ve drawn on the wall so you know where the brackets need to be positioned.
Use the brackets as a guide to mark the exact position of the screw holes.
Use a drill bit and drill setting appropriate to your wall type to create the holes. Place wall plugs into the holes and screw the brackets into place.
Lift the cabinet into place slightly above the brackets and carefully lower it down so that the cabinet brackets hook onto the wall brackets.
To make sure the cabinet is level, use a spirit level and a screwdriver to adjust the adjuster block inside the cabinet. Clamp and screw adjacent cabinets together and then use the spirit level to check they are all level.
