The right set of cabinets can take your kitchen from drab to fab in no time. When it comes to home renovations, few projects offer as many visual benefits as installing new kitchen cabinets. Perhaps that’s why they are one of the most common remodeling projects among homeowners. The right set of cabinets can take your kitchen from drab to fab in no time. Your old cabinets might not be a perfect fit for your space or your personal style anymore. But don’t worry! Updating them is easier than you think. With the right information and preparation, installing new kitchen cabinets is a project you can complete quickly and easily. This guide will walk you through all the tips and tricks you need to know before planning and installing new kitchen cabinets in your home.
Know Your Options
When it comes to replacing your kitchen cabinets, you have three main options. New Construction: If you’re building a brand new kitchen from scratch, you can choose the style of cabinets you want from the get-go. If you’re building from an old design, you can update the cabinets, but you won’t have as many options. Refacing: You can refinish your old cabinets and give them a new look at a lower cost. This is a great option if you love the general style of your cabinets but want a fresh new look. Replacing: If you’re not a do-it-yourself type, you can hire professionals to replace your cabinets with brand new ones. This is generally the most expensive option, but it also gives you the most design control.
Plan Ahead
Before you start shopping for cabinets, make a plan for your kitchen and how the new kitchen cabinets will fit into the space. First, determine how many cabinets you need. Consider how many people will be using the kitchen at once and how they’ll be accessing cupboards and drawers. Will you have kids in the house who will be doing homework at the kitchen table? Are you expecting a lot of guests at holiday times? You’ll need extra space for all those dishes, dishes, and more dishes! Next, determine how high your cabinets should be. This is largely a matter of personal preference, but make sure you have sufficient headroom for comfortable use. You don’t want to be stooping over to access your pots and pans. You’ll also want to consider the style and shape of your cabinets. You may decide to go with a certain style of cabinet, like shaker or Victorian. These choices can impact the amount of space you have and how the cabinets fit together.
Find the Right Size for Your Kitchen
Before you start shopping, you’ll need to find the right size for your kitchen cabinets. You can do this by measuring the width and depth of the space where your cabinets will go. You’ll also want to make sure you measure the distance between the floor and any lower cabinets, like a sink cabinet. If you have tall cabinets, you may need to install a toe kick to meet building codes. This is a small piece of wood on the bottom of the cabinet that prevents it from contacting the floor and tripping you up. If you’re installing new cabinets in a kitchen that already has cabinets, you can measure the distance between the wall and the existing cabinets to find the ideal depth for new cabinets. A good rule of thumb is that the distance between cabinets should be a minimum of 24 inches from one end to the other. You can also use a formula to calculate cabinet depth. This can be a helpful tool for ensuring that your cabinets fit in the space as well as possible.
Decide on a Material
The first decision you’ll need to make when choosing new kitchen cabinets is which material they’ll be made of. There are many different cabinet materials you can choose from, including wood, wood-alternative, and metal. Wood: If you want a more traditional look, wood is a great option. There are many different types of wood you can choose from, including various types of pine, oak, and maple. You can also stain or paint wood cabinets if you’re itching for a change down the line. Wood-Alternative: If you’d like a modern or eco-friendly look, wood-alternative cabinets are a good choice. They are composed of a mixture of materials, such as MDF and particleboard, and come in many different colors and finishes. Metal: If you want a sleek, modern look, metal cabinets are a great choice.
Estimate your budget
If you’re planning to replace your kitchen cabinets and aren’t ready to do a full remodel, you may want to consider installing new cabinets instead. New cabinets, even if they’re made of wood, are generally a cheaper option than replacing your current cabinets with new ones. While replacing your cabinets may be cheaper than remodeling, it’s still an important factor in your budget. Be sure to add up the cost of new cabinets and installation before you make a final decision. Just like with any other home improvement project, you’ll want to have a general idea of what you expect the project to cost. A good rule of thumb is to expect to spend about 10-20% of the value of your home. If you have a smaller budget and can’t swing new cabinets, you can also refinish your old cabinets.
Install New Cabinets: Step by Step
Once you’ve selected the perfect set of cabinets, it’s time to get started. The following is a step-by-step guide to installing new cabinets in your kitchen. - Remove old cabinets (or have them removed): The first step in installing new cabinets is removing your old ones. If your cabinets are old and in bad shape, you may want to consider hiring a contractor to remove them. If they’re in decent condition, you can probably handle the job yourself. - Install toe kick: If your cabinets are lower than 8 inches above the floor, you’ll want to install a toe kick. This small strip of wood on the bottom of the cabinet is necessary for meeting building codes and keeping you safe from tripping hazards. - Install base cabinets: You can start by installing the base cabinets along the bottom of the wall where your upper cabinets will go. You can also install the bottom cabinets if you have a standard or open layout. You’ll want the cabinets to be level and plumb, with the edges of the cabinet running parallel to the wall. - Install wall cabinets: Wall cabinets are known as “end-load” cabinets because they are mounted directly to the wall. You’ll want to be sure to leave an opening for pipes, wiring, and water lines, so be sure to measure carefully. - Install upper cabinets: Once you’ve got the lower cabinets installed, you can start installing your upper cabinets. You can install them either beside or over your lower cabinets, depending on your layout. - Install drawers: If you want to add drawers to your cabinets, you can install them at any point in the process. A good rule of thumb is that you want your drawers to be at least a quarter of an inch away from the wall to prevent them from banging into it.
How to Install Dresser Drawers in Kitchen Cabinets
If you have some extra dresser drawers sitting around, you can easily turn them into kitchen cabinets with just a few simple steps. You can even paint or stain them to match the rest of your cabinets for a seamless look. You’ll have new functional kitchen storage in no time. - Choose the drawers you want to convert: This can be any drawer that is at least three inches deep and has a lower broken front. Make sure the drawer is in good shape and you have all the parts! You may need to do some light sanding and staining or painting of the drawer in order to get the right look. - Mark the drawer: You’ll want to mark the top of the drawer so that your cut is even and straight. Use a piece of wood as a guide to make sure your mark is straight and level. - Cut the drawer: You can cut the top of the drawer using a reciprocating saw or table saw. Be careful not to get too close to the front of the drawer, since you want it to break. - Install the drawer: Once you’ve cut the drawer to size, you can install it right into the cabinet. You can nail or screw the drawer into place. - Install the drawer in the cabinet: You can install the drawer wherever you like in your cabinet. If you want it to be easily accessible,