A major part of a kitchen renovation project is installing kitchen cabinets. It is essential to be extremely careful because a simple mistake can ruin the functionality and aesthetics of your kitchen. Whether getting a kitchen remodel from a professional or doing it yourself, it is important to know some common mistakes that can cost you fortunes in correcting them.
This blog post will address the top 5 mistakes to avoid when installing kitchen cabinets and suggest solutions to prevent them.
1. Missing Accurate Measurements
The kitchen measurements must be taken correctly before considering the installation of kitchen cabinets. Improper measurements will result in cabinets that don't fit correctly, uneven gaps, or doors that don't even close. This is one of people's most common and expensive mistakes when installing.
Measure your kitchen space several times before buying and installing cabinets, considering their width, height, and depth. Don’t overlook spaces to fit in appliances, plumbing, and electrical outlets that could pose problems with cabinet placement.
How to avoid this mistake:- Double-check the measurements for accuracy.
- Carefully check for walls that may not be a perfect square.
- Use a laser level to check the alignment of walls and floors.
2. Ignoring Wall Studs
The only way to know that these cabinets will stay put is by attaching them to wall studs. Directly hanging the cabinets onto drywall is risky, and if they hold heavy items like crockery or appliances, it may cause an accident. Many homeowners easily overlook this issue, which causes their cabinets to pull away from the wall in the long run.
Studs are structural supports behind your walls that help your cabinets stay put. Find and mark their positions before you start the installation process.
How to avoid this mistake:- Get a reliable stud finder to locate studs on your walls.
- Ensure all screws and mounting brackets directly go into the studs along with the drywall.
- Use additional wall supports like wall anchors or a ledger board if the studs are spaced far away.
3. Skipping Cabinet Levelling
If you want your kitchen cabinets to be great-looking and functional, levelling them is a non-negotiable step. Uneven cabinets can lead to uneven countertops and dysfunctional doors and drawers. Levelling must be done with extreme care. Even a slight mistake can cause a bigger problem, affecting the overall look of your kitchen.
The cabinets must be levelled in all directions, from front to back, side to side, and top to bottom. Ignoring this step or assuming no imperfections on your floor level can ruin the installation.
How to avoid this mistake:- Use a carpenter’s level in all directions to check cabinets while installing them.
- Use shims for the base cabinets to adjust the height for uneven surfaces.
- Before you move to the next cabinet, ensure the shims are secured tightly so they do not move during installation.
4. Ignoring Cabinet Alignment
Even with perfectly levelled cabinets, misaligned doors and drawer fronts can ruin the look of your kitchen. During installation, you must align doors, drawer fronts, and cabinet faces. Failure to pay attention to alignment can cause door gaps or misaligned hardware.
This mistake is most common for DIY installations. People often rush through and forget to double-check the cabinet faces while installing them gradually. The misalignment may not surface during the installation but is highly noticeable in the finished look.
How to avoid this mistake:- With each installation, step back to check the cabinet’s alignment with the adjacent cabinets.
- Make adjustments in the doors and drawer fronts to get uniform gaps.
- Fine-tune the door alignments using adjustable hinges after the installation.
5. Rushing the Installation Process
While installing kitchen cabinets, it is essential to have time, patience, and attention to detail. Rushing to get things done can increase the likelihood of mistakes like improper measurements, poorly fastened cabinets, and uneven installations. People who prefer doing it themselves often make this mistake and rush to get the kitchen ready when it’s out of commission during the renovation. But when you take time to do the job correctly, you’ll save money on costly repairs.
The biggest advantage of working with professionals is that they know how to pace themselves. All of this has to be done right, so they take time checking their work, levelling the cabinets, and producing a top-grade installation.
How to avoid this mistake:- Set realistic expectations and plan enough time to install the cabinets.
- To avoid unnecessary delays, keep the required tools and materials handy.
- If you are unclear about any installation step, you should consider contacting a professional to avoid grave mistakes.
Bonus Tip: Choosing the Wrong Hardware
Although not in the top five mistakes, the wrong cabinet hardware selection will greatly impact your kitchen's overall look and functioning. Poor hardware can make it difficult to use and ruin the overall design. Also, installing handles or knobs incorrectly could damage your new cabinets.
How to avoid this mistake:- Pick up high-quality hardware that matches your kitchen design.
- Level and centre handles and knobs by taking accurate measurements while installing.
Cabinet installations are time-consuming and costly. Every homeowner must ensure a perfect look from the installations in one go. Even a slight mismatch in the fittings can ruin the entire look and cost extra to correct. The expertise of professionals ensures precise and long-lasting results. They have the skills to take accurate measurements, align cabinets, and safely install them.
Experts can also handle electrical, plumbing, or structural issues. The right tools and methods can give your kitchen a new look in the shortest time possible without damaging your new cabinets or walls. Specialists in the field can also address challenges to ensure all fittings are safe. Seeking professional help while installing your new cabinets helps you get a polished look that adds to the overall aesthetics of your home.
Conclusion
Kitchen cabinet installation is a big investment in your house in terms of value and function, making it essential to avoid common mistakes that could affect the output of the end solution. By measuring accurately, paying attention to wall studs and levelling, aligning cabinets properly, and not rushing the project, you’ll be well on your way to a successful kitchen renovation.
If you are unsure about something with the installation or don’t want to leave anything to chance, hiring professionals from Classic Brand who specialize in kitchen cabinetry is advisable. By taking the correct approach and paying attention to detail, you can have a beautiful, functional kitchen that will be in style for years.
