Installing kitchen units requires precision and planning. If you aren’t paying attention when installing your units, you could end up with uneven surfaces and unsightly gaps, reducing the space’s functionality and making it look messy.
However, there are a few key steps you can take to ensure a high-quality installation when fitting your kitchen units. To help our customers achieve the best possible self-installation, we are providing a simple guide to installing kitchen units effectively.
A Step-By-Step Guide To Installing Kitchen Units
Before You Start
Before installing kitchen units, there are a few essential steps that you need to take, including gathering equipment and preparing your kitchen for the installation.
Equipment
Installing kitchen units requires some equipment:
- Spirit level
- Clamp
- Drill
- Masking tape
- Screws
- Brackets
- Cable and pipe detector/Studfinder
- Hammer drill
- Wall fixings
Steps To Take Before Starting
Before you begin installing your kitchen units, there are a few points that you need to be mindful of to ensure that you get the best possible results:
- Check the floor level before starting. If your flooring is uneven, adjust the legs of your cabinets until they are level before completing the installation.
- Be careful not to over-tighten the screws; this can damage your cabinets.
- Always use the fixings provided with the unit.
- When drilling into the wall, make sure you have clearly marked guide holes to follow.
- Hanging a wall cabinet or a large base cabinet often requires two people. Ask for help from a friend or family member when lifting and fitting if required.
- When fixing the provided doors and handles, make sure you use a step ladder rather than standing on the base cabinets or worktop, as this can cause unnecessary damage.
- Check the level of every unit after installation: finding uneven units at the end will be harder to fix once everything is installed.
How To Install Kitchen Units
How To Install Base Units
Before installing your new kitchen unit, you should have already uninstalled and disposed of your previous units, including disconnecting any electrical and water connections. After uninstalling the previous units, you may also want to paint the area, as it may have faded over time.
Once all the old units have been uninstalled and the area has been painted and left to dry, you are now ready to begin installing your new base units.
- Step 1: Mark a horizontal guideline on your wall using a spirit level and a pencil. This will mark the location for the top of your kitchen base units. Remember to leave space for the legs.
- Step 2: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to build the base units. Every manufacturer’s instructions will be slightly different, so it’s important to read these carefully before starting. While screwing the panels together, you can use a clamp to keep them together, ensuring a uniform installation.
- Step 3: Starting with any corner units, push the cabinets into place. Ensure the legs are in the correct position, and check the units with your spirit level to make sure everything’s uniform.
- Step 4: Next, attach the adjoining units to keep them secure. There will be hinge holes pre-drilled into your units. Clamp the adjoining units together before drilling a pilot hole between the two hinge holes, making sure you go into, but not completely through, the next unit. Then, screw the units together.
- Step 5: Fix the units to the wall using brackets after marking the drill positions with a pencil. Make sure to check for wires and pipes with your cable and pipe detector or studfinder before drilling into the wall, and use the appropriate brackets/screws depending on the wall material.
How To Fit Kitchen Wall Units
Fitting kitchen wall units often requires an extra set of hands, so make sure that you have a trusted friend, neighbour, or family member nearby to help with the installation.
- Step 1: Mark the tops of the base cabinets, then use a spirit level to mark a horizontal guideline on the wall for the bottom of the wall cabinets. Remember to allow for the worktop thickness and the space needed for appliances and workspace. Then, measure and draw another guideline for the top of the wall cabinets. You can temporarily fix a batten to the wall to support the units during installation if needed.
- Step 2: Assemble your kitchen wall units by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Step 3: When it comes to how to hang a cabinet on the wall, following the manufacturer’s instructions is essential. Work out the right placement for the wall brackets. Most kitchen wall cabinets will need two brackets (one in each top corner). Remember to use the best fixings for kitchen wall cabinets for your wall material.
Hold the bracket in place and mark out the holes with a pencil. How you actually install the bracket will depend on the type of wall you’re working with and the kitchen wall unit hanging brackets instructions. Remember to watch out for wires and pipes before screwing into the wall. - Step 4: After the brackets are properly secured, you can hook the wall cabinets onto them. Use adjustment screws in the top corners of the cabinet. Place a spirit level on top of the cabinet while you screw it in to ensure everything’s even.
Breathe New Life Into Your Home With Our Rigid Kitchen Units
At Kitchen Door hub, we’re passionate about helping our customers discover the kitchen of their dreams.
Whether that means installing new base and wall units in their kitchen, choosing from our wide range of handles and hinges to meet your chosen aesthetic, or even selecting a brand-new kitchen door to complete the look, our range includes everything our customers need for a bespoke kitchen solution.
In addition, some of our ranges are available with free UK delivery for orders over £500, so check our delivery options carefully to see if you can benefit.If you have any questions about our products or are interested in custom sizing, contact us, and a member of our team will be happy to help.
