Leveling kitchen cabinets is an important step in the installation process to ensure that your cabinets are straight and stable. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to level your kitchen cabinets:
Tools and Materials Needed:
- Level
- Screwdriver
- Shims (thin pieces of wood or plastic)
- Pencil
- Measuring tape
Step 1: Clear the Area Remove all items and objects from inside the cabinets, as well as from the countertops, to ensure you have easy access to the cabinets.
Step 2: Find the High Spot Use a level (a long, straight tool with a bubble in liquid that shows if something is level) to find the highest point of the floor or the wall where the cabinets will be installed. This spot will be the reference point for leveling the cabinets.
Step 3: Measure and Mark Measure the height of your base cabinets and mark this measurement on the wall at the highest point you identified earlier. Use a pencil to make the mark.
Step 4: Attach the First Cabinet Start with the corner cabinet or the one closest to a corner. Position the cabinet in its designated spot and use a level to ensure it is plumb (vertically level). You can use shims between the cabinet and the wall/floor to adjust the level. Once the cabinet is level, use a screwdriver to secure it to the wall and/or floor through the back or bottom of the cabinet.
Step 5: Level and Attach the Remaining Cabinets Place the next cabinet beside the first one and level it with the adjacent cabinet. Use shims as needed to get it perfectly level and plumb. Secure it to the wall and/or floor. Repeat this process for all the remaining cabinets, making sure they are level both horizontally and vertically.
Step 6: Check for Levelness Across Cabinets Once all cabinets are installed, use a long level or a straight board to check for levelness across the tops of the cabinets. This is important, especially if you have multiple cabinets running in a row. Adjust the shims or cabinet height as necessary to make them level with each other.
Step 7: Adjust Cabinet Doors After ensuring that the cabinets are level, you may need to adjust the cabinet doors to ensure they hang correctly. Most cabinet doors have adjustable hinges that can be tweaked to align the doors properly.
Step 8: Secure Cabinets Together If you have multiple cabinets side by side, it's a good idea to secure them together using screws through the cabinet frames. This will add stability and keep them aligned.
By following these steps, you should have your kitchen cabinets properly leveled and ready for the next stages of installation, such as adding countertops and handles. Properly leveled cabinets not only look more professional but also function better in the long run.