Do you install lower or upper cabinets first?

Author: Oscar Legros  |  Last update: Saturday, June 13, 2026

Always install the upper cabinets before the lower cabinets. This way you won't have to awkwardly work over the lower cabinets, risking damaging them in the process. Once you've assembled the cabinets according to the manufacturer's instructions, remove the doors if attached and set them out of harm's way.

Should I install upper or lower cabinets first?

If you're installing both upper cabinets and base cabinets, always install the upper cabinets first. This is helpful since you won't have to constantly reach over the base cabinets in your way, and you can use a stepladder to lift and hold the uppers.

Which cabinets are usually installed first?

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.

What is the usual order of cabinet installation?

  • Step #1 Inspect your new cabinets.
  • Step #2 Assemble your RTA kitchen cabinets.
  • Step #3: Walkthrough the cabinet layout.
  • Step #4: Place a mark on the wall where the top of the base cabinets will stop.
  • Step #5: Installing the upper wall cabinets first.
  • Step #6: Locate the wall studs.
  • Step #7: Set your ledger on the wall.

Which kitchen cabinets do you install first?

Install Upper Cabinets

We recommend doing this so you won't have to work over the lower cabinets and risk damaging them. Ensure you have the right screw to install the wall cabinets.

Cabinet Installation Tips

What order do you install a kitchen?

Fitting a kitchen from start to finish
  1. Prepare your kitchen. ...
  2. Assemble your kitchen cabinets. ...
  3. Start kitchen cabinets installation. ...
  4. Paint. ...
  5. Install new flooring. ...
  6. Add the finishing touches to your cabinets. ...
  7. Begin kitchen worktops installation. ...
  8. Start installing a kitchen sink.

Why don't you put flooring under kitchen cabinets?

Because of this installation process, its recommended cabinets go in before floating floors. Cabinets, especially those with heavy stone countertops, could damage your floating floors. These types of floors also shift, expand, contract and settle after installation, causing the cabinets on top of them to move.

When installing kitchen cabinets, where do you start?

Starting with a corner, use the guides you marked on the walls to transfer the stud locations to the cabinets, taking care to account for the face frame. Drill the holes and set the corner cabinet in place. The horizontal line on the wall is your main guide.

What are the 15 cabinets in order?

The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the ...

Do kitchen cabinets sit on top of tile flooring?

Installing your tiles before your kitchen cabinets will cut down on overall labor costs. Putting in your tiles first will help prevent water damage in your kitchen. Cabinets can be installed first if you're placing delicate tiles that might get damaged during cabinetry or appliance installation.

Do you leave shims under cabinets?

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.

Do you install corner cabinets first?

Installing Corner Cabinets – The Fundamentals

As corner cabinets are the first to be installed, viewing our step-by-step instructions for hanging them properly will get your installation started on the right foot.

Should upper and lower cabinets match?

Make smaller spaces seem larger—generally, it is best to have a lighter shade for the upper cabinets and a darker tone for the lower cabinets. This is especially true for small kitchens. Light-colored uppers draw the eye upward, tricking the brain into thinking the kitchen space is bigger than it is.

Do you install kitchen floor or cabinets first?

When it comes to the installation part of the remodel, everything needs to be done in a step-by-step fashion, and in an order that makes the most sense. If your remodel also includes laying new floors, most experts agree that it's better to install kitchen flooring before cabinets.

Are upper or lower cabinets more expensive?

Not all cabinets are the same. With custom sizing, cabinets will vary in height, width, and depth. This is also true when comparing upper cabinets and base cabinets. Base and island cabinets traditionally will cost more than upper wall cabinets.

What are the 3 grades of cabinets?

Cabinets are grouped into four grades based on quality of construction: ready-to-assemble (RTA), stock, semi-custom and custom. Decide up front on the amount of money to be invested in cabinetry and then browse cabinetry lines and options within your budget.

What are the 4 original cabinet positions?

FIRST CABINET

The first 4 Cabinet positions (1789) were: Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of State, Secretary of War, and Attorney General.

What is the best arrangement of kitchen cabinets?

How to organize kitchen cabinets
  • Place smaller items inside larger and stack flatter items. ...
  • Store heavy items in lower cabinets. ...
  • Display pots and pans. ...
  • Choose cool, dark and dry spaces for food storage. ...
  • Arrange food items by size and type. ...
  • Move older food items to the front to use first. ...
  • Repackage opened bulk food items.

Should upper or lower cabinets be installed first?

Always install the upper cabinets before the lower cabinets. This way you won't have to awkwardly work over the lower cabinets, risking damaging them in the process. Once you've assembled the cabinets according to the manufacturer's instructions, remove the doors if attached and set them out of harm's way.

What order do you install a new kitchen?

  1. 1) Undo the Kitchen. The previous kitchen will need to be demolished before it becomes a new one. ...
  2. 2) Replace Plumbing & Lighting Fixtures. ...
  3. 3) Add Drywall. ...
  4. 4) Get Painting. ...
  5. 5) Base Cabinet Installation. ...
  6. 8) Install New Appliances.

Can you install kitchen cabinets in one day?

Block off at least a whole day.

DIY kitchen cabinet installation isn't a quick job, especially if you want to do it right.

Do cabinets go directly on the subfloor?

Hardwood: Hardwood flooring should also be installed before cabinets to ensure the kitchen cabinets sit at the proper height. However, you can also install the cabinets on the subfloor before installing flooring by placing shims beneath the cabinets to raise them to the right height.

Can you put a refrigerator on top of vinyl plank flooring?

Since most furniture will not go under just one plank, it is perfectly safe for bulky furniture and refrigerators to go on vinyl plank flooring. Vinyl plank flooring will not be damaged or cracked by home appliances' weight due to its strong durability.

Should vinyl plank flooring be installed under kitchen cabinets?

Heavy cabinets, vanities, islands, and such, should never be installed on top of LooseLay flooring with limited adhesive. Instead, we recommend you install vinyl flooring next to cabinets. Pro Tip: Install the cabinets first if you believe the cabinets will remain a fixture for years longer than the flooring.

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