Which cabinet do you install first?

Author: Herta Greenfelder  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Mark Bottom of Wall Cabinets 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 order do you install cabinets in?

It's best to install upper cabinets before the base cabinets go in. Follow the steps below to ensure an efficient and accurate wall cabinet installation. For additional tips, check out our video on How to Install Upper Cabinets.

Which cabinets are usually installed 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. Installing a French cleat or screwing through the back of the cabinets are the two most common ways to do it.

Do you install flooring or kitchen cabinets first?

For optimal results in home renovations, cabinets should be installed before the flooring. This ensures a level surface, making cabinet placement easier and providing a polished look. Additionally, it safeguards the flooring from potential damage during installation.

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.

Cabinet Installation Tips

Which cabinets to install 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 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.

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.

In what order do you replace 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.

Should you do countertops or cabinets first?

It's generally recommended for the cabinets to be done first, protecting their integrity and making countertop installation as smooth as possible. This will ensure that: The countertop material(s) are only moved/installed once. There is less chance of cracking, breaking or chipping of countertop material(s)

Do kitchen cabinets sit on bare flooring or finished floor?

Conclusion. Kitchen cabinets are not always attached to the kitchen floor and most of the time, do not sit directly on the subfloor. This ensures that needed movement is given to the flooring material and the standard height of floor to counters is reached for accepted accessibility.

Do you install cabinets before appliances?

It depends on your priorities. If functionality is your main concern, it's advisable to choose appliances first. However, if style and space are your key considerations, start with the cabinets.

Should kitchen cabinets be dark on top or bottom?

GO DARKER ON THE BOTTOM

The lighter color you use for the upper cabinets can also become an accent around the room. This keeps the room feeling light and spacious, regardless of its size. Avoid putting the darker color on upper cabinets unless you've chosen one section of cabinets as a feature.

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 you put hardwood floors under kitchen cabinets?

Install Flooring First: In the case of new construction or kitchen remodeling, prioritize installing the hardwood flooring before placing the cabinets. This approach allows for a seamless and uniform appearance, with the flooring extending beneath the cabinets.

What is the right order to remodel a kitchen?

Time to remodel
  • Determine where lighting, electrical outlets, sinks, and appliances will be placed and upgrade the wiring and plumbing to accommodate everything.
  • Install insulation and drywall.
  • Paint the walls and ceiling.
  • Install the flooring.
  • Install the cabinetry and countertops.
  • Install the sink(s) and faucets.

Which kitchen unit to fit first?

Normally a fitter will start with the base units starting at the corner and working out and around the room and then move on to the wall units working in a similar way. 12. The next step is the installation of the new worktops and the sink. Worktops are cut out to size and jointed.

How do I put my kitchen in order?

10 Steps to an Orderly Kitchen
  1. Tip #1: Empty Cabinets. ...
  2. Tip #2: Group Like Items. ...
  3. Tip #3: Organize the Cabinets. ...
  4. Tip #4: Use Clear Containers to Store Items. ...
  5. Tip #5: Store Containers and Lids Together. ...
  6. Tip #6: Make use of Vertical Space. ...
  7. Tip #7: Use Lazy Susans. ...
  8. Tip #8: Use Drawer Dividers.

Should you install tile before or after cabinets?

Always install the tile to the wall, under appliances, and cabinets. Good flooring could be in place for 20 years or more. In that time there could be water leaks, appliance failures cabinet damage that requires replacement, electrical problems that require cabinets to be moved, etc...

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.

Do you install upper or lower kitchen 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.

Who makes the best kitchen cabinets for the money?

Top 10 Cabinet Manufacturers in the USA
  • MasterBrand Cabinets. This kitchen cabinet manufacturer offers many styles and types of kitchen cabinets with various price points. ...
  • American Woodmark Corp. ...
  • Masco Corp. ...
  • Elkay Wood Products Co. ...
  • ACProducts, Inc. ...
  • Foremost Groups Inc. ...
  • Wood-Mode Inc. ...
  • Wellborn Cabinet Inc.

What are the three grades of cabinets?

Cabinets are grouped into four grades based on quality of construction: ready-to-assemble (RTA), stock, semi-custom and custom.

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