How To Hang Upper Kitchen Cabinets: DIY Guide

Can you hang upper kitchen cabinets yourself? Yes, absolutely! With the right tools, preparation, and a patient approach, hanging upper kitchen cabinets is a rewarding DIY project that can significantly update your kitchen’s look and functionality. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from planning your kitchen cabinet placement to securing those final cabinets with the right cabinet mounting screws.

Getting Started: Planning Your Upper Kitchen Cabinet Installation

Before you even pick up a drill, thorough planning is crucial for a successful cabinet installation. This phase involves deciding on the exact placement of your wall cabinets, ensuring they are level, and gathering all necessary supplies.

Deciphering Your Kitchen Cabinet Placement

The first step in hanging upper kitchen cabinets is to determine where they will go. Consider the workflow in your kitchen. Think about how you use your space.

Standard Heights: Most upper kitchen cabinets are hung 54 inches from the floor to the top of the cabinet. This usually leaves 18 inches of backsplash space between the countertop and the bottom of the upper cabinets. However, this can vary. If you have a very tall cooktop or a custom backsplash, you might adjust this.
Layout: Map out where each cabinet will go. Consider appliance locations, windows, and doors. Draw a simple floor plan of your kitchen and sketch where each cabinet will sit.
Filler Strips: You might need filler strips in corners or where cabinets meet a wall if the space isn’t perfectly filled by a standard cabinet. Measure these spaces accurately.
Under-Cabinet Lighting: If you plan to install under-cabinet lighting, consider the wiring and conduit paths now.

Creating a Level Line: The Foundation of Your Project

A perfectly straight, level line is your best friend when mounting cabinets. This line will guide the installation of every single cabinet.

Tools Needed: A long level (4-foot or longer is ideal), a tape measure, a pencil, and chalk line or a laser level.
Finding the Starting Point: Measure up from your countertop to your desired cabinet height (usually 54 inches). Mark this point on the wall.
The Leveling Process:
1. Use your tape measure to mark the desired height for the bottom of your upper cabinets along the wall where you plan to install them. Start in a corner or at a logical starting point.
2. Transfer this mark to the adjacent wall if you are installing cabinets on that wall as well.
3. Use your long level to draw a perfectly horizontal line connecting these marks. This line is critical. Double-check it with your level multiple times.
4. A chalk line is a great way to create a long, straight line. Snap the chalk line along your pencil marks. A laser level can also be used for an even more precise and easy-to-follow line.

Gathering Your Supplies and Tools

Having everything ready before you start makes the process much smoother. Proper cabinet installation requires a specific set of tools and materials.

Essential Tools:

Drill/Driver: For pre-drilling holes and driving screws.
Level: A long level (4-foot or 6-foot) is essential. A smaller torpedo level is also useful for checking individual cabinets.
Tape Measure: For accurate measurements.
Pencil: For marking.
Stud Finder: To locate wall studs for secure mounting.
Utility Knife: For cutting materials.
Caulking Gun: For applying caulk.
Putty Knife: For applying wood filler or caulk.
Clamps: To hold cabinets in place while you secure them.
Screwdrivers: Phillips and flathead.
Safety Glasses: Always wear eye protection.
Work Gloves: To protect your hands.
Safety Glasses: Crucial for protecting your eyes.
Drop Cloths: To protect your floors and countertops.
Shims: For leveling and adjusting cabinets.
Wood Glue: For reinforcing joints if needed.

Essential Materials:

Upper Kitchen Cabinets: Your chosen wall cabinets.
Cabinet Mounting Screws: These are specifically designed for cabinet installation, often longer and stronger than standard screws. Look for screws that are at least 2.5 to 3 inches long.
Wall Anchors (if studs aren’t accessible): Heavy-duty toggle bolts or molly bolts can be used, but mounting directly into studs is always preferred for maximum strength.
Wood Screws: For attaching filler strips or other wood components.
Wood Filler: For patching holes or imperfections.
Caulk: For sealing gaps around the cabinets.
Touch-up Paint or Stain: To match your cabinets.
Cabinet Hardware: Hinges, knobs, pulls.

The Cabinet Installation Process: Step-by-Step

Now that your planning is complete and your supplies are gathered, it’s time to start the actual cabinet installation. This involves finding studs, marking screw locations, and carefully mounting each cabinet.

Finding Wall Studs: The Backbone of Secure Mounting

Wall studs provide the structural support needed to securely hang your cabinets. Mounting cabinets directly into studs is the most important step for a stable and safe installation.

Locate Studs: Use a stud finder to locate the center of each wall stud behind where your cabinets will be mounted.
Mark Stud Locations: Once a stud is found, mark its center with your pencil. Continue this process for the entire wall where cabinets will be installed.
Confirm Stud Locations: For added certainty, you can drive a thin nail or awl into your marked stud locations to confirm you’ve hit solid wood. These small holes can be easily patched later.
Consider Joist Spacing: In most homes, studs are spaced 16 inches or 24 inches apart on center. Knowing this can help you predict where studs will be.

Marking Cabinet Screw Locations

Accurate marking is key to ensuring your cabinets are perfectly positioned and secured.

Hold the First Cabinet in Place: With assistance, hold your first upper cabinet against the wall, aligning its bottom edge with your level line.
Check for Level and Plumb: Use your level to ensure the cabinet is perfectly level horizontally and plumb (vertically straight).
Mark Mounting Points: Inside the cabinet, along the top and bottom edges where you’ve located studs, mark the stud locations with your pencil. You’ll want to mark at least two studs for each cabinet, ideally three if possible.
Pre-drill Pilot Holes: Remove the cabinet. At your marked stud locations, drill pilot holes through the back of the cabinet. These pilot holes should be slightly smaller than the diameter of your cabinet mounting screws. This prevents the wood from splitting.
Pre-drill Wall Holes: In the wall, at your marked stud locations, drill pilot holes for your cabinet mounting screws. These holes in the wall should be the same diameter as your screws, or slightly smaller if you are using self-tapping screws.

Mounting the First Cabinet: The Crucial Starting Point

The first cabinet sets the standard for all subsequent cabinets. Take your time and ensure it’s perfect.

Apply Cabinet Support Bracket (Optional but Recommended): For extra support while you position and secure the cabinet, you can use a temporary cabinet support bracket. These can be adjusted to hold the cabinet at the desired height, freeing up your hands.
Lift and Position: Carefully lift the first cabinet into place, aligning the pilot holes in the cabinet with the pilot holes in the wall.
Secure with Cabinet Mounting Screws: Drive your cabinet mounting screws through the pre-drilled holes in the cabinet and into the wall studs. Use your level to ensure the cabinet remains level and plumb as you tighten the screws. Do not overtighten, as this can strip the holes or damage the cabinet.
Check Stability: Once secured, gently push on the cabinet to ensure it is stable and firmly attached to the wall.

Hanging Subsequent Cabinets: Building the Kitchen Bank

With the first cabinet in place, you can now work your way along the wall, installing the remaining upper cabinets.

Align with the First Cabinet: Position the next cabinet next to the first one. Ensure the fronts of both cabinets are flush and the top edges are aligned.
Level and Plumb: Use your level to check that this new cabinet is level and plumb, and also that it is plumb with the previously installed cabinet.
Mark and Pre-drill: Mark stud locations inside the cabinet, remove it, and pre-drill pilot holes in the cabinet and the wall, just as you did for the first cabinet.
Secure the Cabinet: Lift the cabinet back into place and secure it with cabinet mounting screws.
Join Adjacent Cabinets: Once both cabinets are securely mounted, you can join them together.
- Clamping: Clamp the two cabinets tightly together at the face frames.
- Drilling and Screwing: From the inside of one cabinet, drill pilot holes through the face frame and into the face frame of the adjacent cabinet. Use 1 ¼ inch cabinet mounting screws to join them. Use two to three screws per joint, spaced evenly.

Using Shims for Perfect Alignment

Shims are essential for achieving a perfect, gap-free installation, especially if your walls aren’t perfectly straight.

When to Use Shims: If you notice a gap between the cabinet and the wall, or if the cabinet isn’t perfectly plumb, insert thin shims between the cabinet and the wall at the screw points.
Securing with Shims: Drive the cabinet mounting screws through the shims and into the studs. This pushes the cabinet away from the wall slightly, creating a snug fit.
Trimming Shims: Once the cabinet is secured, carefully trim any excess shim material that protrudes beyond the cabinet face with a utility knife.

Installing Doors and Drawer Fronts

After all the cabinets are mounted and secured, it’s time to attach the doors and drawer fronts.

Attach Hinges: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to attach the hinges to the doors and the cabinet frame.
Mount Doors: Hang the doors onto the cabinet frames.
Adjust Hinges: Most modern hinges have adjustment screws that allow you to fine-tune the door alignment, ensuring they are straight and have even gaps. Adjust them until you are satisfied with the look.
Attach Drawer Fronts: If your DIY kitchen cabinets have separate drawer fronts, attach them to the drawer boxes according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Installing Cabinet Hardware: The Finishing Touches

The final step is to install your cabinet hardware – knobs and pulls.

Measure and Mark: Decide where you want your knobs or pulls. Measure carefully to ensure they are centered or evenly spaced.
Drill Holes: Drill pilot holes through the cabinet doors and drawer fronts for the hardware screws.
Attach Hardware: Insert the screws from the inside of the door or drawer and attach the knobs or pulls.

Troubleshooting Common Cabinet Installation Issues

Even with careful planning, you might encounter some minor issues during the cabinet installation process. Here are a few common problems and how to solve them.

Gaps Between Cabinets and Walls

Cause: Uneven walls or floor.
Solution: Use shims between the cabinet and the wall at the mounting screw locations. Ensure the shims are trimmed flush with the cabinet.

Cabinets Not Plumb or Level

Cause: Wall stud not perfectly vertical, or inaccurate initial line.
Solution: Loosen the cabinet mounting screws slightly. Insert shims behind the cabinet where needed to bring it into plumb or level. Re-tighten the screws. You may need to adjust the screws at the top and bottom of the cabinet to correct any tilting.

Stripped Screw Holes

Cause: Overtightening screws, or drilling pilot holes that are too large.
Solution: Remove the screw. Insert a few wooden toothpicks or a golf tee into the stripped hole with a bit of wood glue. Once the glue dries, break off the excess, and re-drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the screw diameter. Then, drive the cabinet mounting screws back in. For larger stripped holes, you might need to use a dowel and wood glue.

Difficulty Aligning Doors

Cause: Inconsistent hinge placement, or cabinet not perfectly square.
Solution: Most cabinet hinges have adjustment screws that allow you to move the door up/down, left/right, and in/out. Experiment with these adjustments until the doors hang correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the standard height for upper kitchen cabinets?
A1: The standard height for the bottom of upper kitchen cabinets is typically 54 inches from the finished floor, leaving 18 inches of backsplash space.

Q2: Can I hang kitchen cabinets without hitting studs?
A2: While it’s strongly recommended to mount cabinets directly into wall studs for maximum stability, if studs are not accessible in the desired location, you can use heavy-duty drywall anchors like toggle bolts or molly bolts. However, you’ll need to use more anchors, and the cabinets might not be as secure as when mounted into studs.

Q3: Who is responsible for ensuring cabinets are level?
A3: The person performing the cabinet installation is responsible for ensuring the cabinets are level and properly secured. This is why using a long level and a precise leveling line is crucial.

Q4: What kind of screws should I use for mounting cabinets?
A4: You should use specific cabinet mounting screws. These are typically 2.5 to 3 inches long and made of strong steel. They are designed to go through the cabinet’s mounting rail and securely into wall studs.

Q5: How do I ensure my cabinets are securely mounted?
A5: The key to secure mounting is to locate and fasten into wall studs whenever possible. Use cabinet mounting screws that are long enough to penetrate well into the stud. For added strength, consider using a cabinet support bracket during installation.

Q6: What is a cabinet level?
A6: A cabinet level is simply a spirit level used to ensure that cabinets are installed perfectly horizontally (level) and vertically (plumb). A longer level, like a 4-foot or 6-foot one, is ideal for checking the alignment of multiple cabinets or long runs.

Q7: How do I install cabinet hardware?
A7: Cabinet hardware installation involves measuring and marking the desired location for knobs or pulls, drilling pilot holes through the cabinet doors or drawer fronts, and then attaching the hardware with the provided screws.

Q8: Can I do DIY kitchen cabinets from scratch?
A8: Yes, you can build DIY kitchen cabinets from scratch if you have woodworking skills and the necessary tools. However, for most homeowners, purchasing pre-made cabinets and focusing on the installation is a more practical approach.

This in-depth guide should equip you with the knowledge to confidently tackle hanging your upper kitchen cabinets. Remember to prioritize safety, measure twice (or thrice!), and take your time. Happy remodeling!