Leave a space between the cabinet and wall as recommended by the cabinet manufacturer. Shim beneath the cabinet to align it with the top-of-cabinet line you drew on the wall. When determing how to install base cabinets on uneven floors, check for level and plumb, and add shims until the cabinets are at the same level.
However, in general, many people prefer cabinets that are flush with the wall so that they don't take up too much space and are easy to clean. If your cabinets are too small or too large for your kitchen, they can look cluttered or mismatched. There is no one right answer to this question.
The distance between the base cabinet (including kitchen countertops) and wall cabinet is normally between 18 and 20 inches. This is low enough to provide easy access to the wall cabinet contents for most people, and still have enough space to keep and use small appliances as well as use the workspace comfortably.
You can do whatever works for you. Function isn't really an issue. Most full overlay cabinets (cabinets where the door covers the cabinet completely) should always have a filler (a piece of finished trim either 4” or 6” wide to fill spaces between cabinets) between the wall and the cabinet.
Base cabinets rest solidly on the floor (they are shimmed, if necessary, to ensure levelness), but are also attached to wall studs with screws or nails driven through a nailing strip in the back of the cabinet.
Mark and label the position of all of the upper cabinets on the wall with a pencil and level to double-check your layout. Plan to install wall kitchen cabinets first. That way, the base cabinets won't be in your way while you're installing the upper cabinets.
Drywall, which provides a smooth, flush wall throughout the house, is also beneficial when installed behind the stove and cabinets. While it's possible to cut and install drywall later, to fit around the cabinets after they're in place, you won't get the same professional results.
In most kitchens, cabinets are attached with screws through either the drywall or plaster into the wood stud behind. An installer will first locate the stud, mark the cabinet for the screw location and then lift the cabinet in place and install the screw.
In a typical family home, wall-hung kitchen cabinets measure between 32 and 36 inches tall, leaving a space of around one or two feet above. There is a valid reason for the gap between the kitchen cabinets and the ceiling; this is the height that most people can reach by standing on the floor or by using a ladder.
The standard height for upper cabinets from the floor is 54 inches, or 4 feet and 6 inches. This means the bottom of the upper cabinets should be this far from the floor. This comes from the sum of 34-and-a half-inch base cabinets, a 1-and-a-half inch thick countertop, and an 18-inch backsplash.
What is standard cabinet height? The height of a standard cabinet varies depending on the cabinets. Base cabinets – 34.5-inches or 36 inches with countertop. Tall cabinets – 84, 90, 96-inches.
A toe kick is the recessed space on a lower cabinet that offers room for – you guessed it – your toes. These few inches enable your feet to rest comfortably under a small section of the cabinet, allowing you to get closer to the countertop without having to hunch over.
Plywood and pocket-hole screws make for a clean, sturdy installation. It's always a good idea to have solid blocking behind drywall for fastening upper and lower cabinets.
The Standard Kitchen Cabinet Height
Past cabinets show that it is standard to install cabinets about 18 inches off the countertop, but it's becoming more popular to hang cabinets a bit higher for more space, such as 20 inches or more.
The recommended space between upper and lower cabinets is typically 18 inches. This measurement allows for sufficient workspace on the countertop while providing enough clearance for appliances and tasks.
The cabinets should always be screwed into the studs, not just the wallboard. You may decide to cut away some of the wallboard and nail blocking in place between some studs. Replace the pieces of drywall. You don't have to finish the seams with tape and compound, as they are hidden behind the cabinets.
If you are doing the painting yourself, we would generally recommend priming and painting first, then have the cabinets installed, then do any necessary touchup.
Typically, fillers are used to finish the space where an overall dimension of cabinetry is less than the overall wall dimension. Most often, fillers are used vertically at the side of a cabinet, but they can also be used horizontally as crown molding risers or trim.
There are pros and cons to each installation order. That said, it is standard for the cabinet to go before the flooring, except under special circumstances as mentioned above.
Bring in New Appliances
After installation of the cabinets and plumbing fixtures, it is time to add your new appliances. This includes items such as the built-in microwave, stove, refrigerator, and more.
Nest pots together to save space. And either nest pans or get a rack that fits in the cabinet to store them vertically. A rack to store lids and baking sheets vertically is also helpful to maximize space.