Installing Base Cabinets

Put the corner cabinet - in this case, a blind corner cabinet - in place.

Leave a space between the cabinet and wall as recommended by the cabinet manufacturer (required for some corner cabinets). Shim beneath the cabinet to align it with the top-of-cabinet line you drew on the wall.

Check for level and plumb, and add additional shims as necessary. The corner cabinet sets the trend for all of your other base cabinets, so take the time to this step well.

Hint: The toe-kick, other cabinets, and counter top that you'll install later will hide your shims, so it's OK to leave them sticking out for now.

Drill and countersink pilot holes into the back of the corner cabinet.

Drill one hole at each stud, through any shims. Drive screws partway into the wall. Check for level again, shim as necessary, and drive the screws home.

Set the neighboring cabinet in place.

Install doors or drawers, and verify that they'll open. If necessary, attach a filler strip between the cabinets. You can usually order the fillers at the same time as your cabinets. Clamp the filler flush with the front of the cabinet. Drill and countersink pilot holes into the edge of the filler and screw the filler to the cabinet.

Check the second cabinet for level and plumb.

Shim at the floor or wall if necessary. You will now begin assembling the row of base cabinets, making any cutouts for plumbing or wiring, as in Step Five.

Before you install the sink cabinet, drill and cut holes for any wiring and the pipes.

Measure how far they are from the adjoining cabinet. Subtract the thickness of the side of the sink cabinet, and mark the pipe locations on the cabinets. Drill at the marks with a spade bit or hole saw to cut holes for the pipes.

Install the remaining base cabinets.

Check for level and plumb, shimming as you go. When all cabinets are in position, step back and check the entire set for alignment, level and plumb before proceeding.

When all cabinets are in the proper place, drill and countersink pilot holes.

Attach the cabinets to the studs with at least two screws in each mounting rail. Attach the cabinets to each other with at least four drywall screws.

Once all cabinets are securely in place, trim off the exposed shims with a utility knife.