Installing your own kitchen cabinets is one of the highest-value DIY jobs there is — done carefully, it can save thousands in labor. This guide walks through how to install kitchen cabinets step by step, in the order the pros do it, plus the tools you need and the mistakes to avoid.

Tools & Materials

• Drill/driver, level (4-ft and torpedo), stud finder
• Tape measure, pencil, chalk line
• Cabinet screws (2.5”), shims, clamps
• Ledger board (a straight 1x3) and screws
• Jigsaw for outlet/plumbing cutouts

The Golden Rule: Start From the High Point

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Mark your layout lines

From the floor's high point, mark the top of the base cabinets (34.5”) and the bottom of the wall cabinets (usually 54” off the floor, giving an 18” backsplash gap). Snap level chalk lines around the room. Mark every stud.

2. Install wall cabinets first

Counterintuitive, but you hang wall cabinets before base cabinets — so you're not leaning over base boxes. Screw a temporary ledger board along your wall-cabinet line to hold the weight while you drive screws into the studs. Start in a corner.

3. Set the base cabinets

Start in the corner again. Level each cabinet front-to-back and side-to-side, shimming as needed, then screw through the back rail into studs. Clamp adjacent cabinets together and screw the face frames to each other for a seamless run.

4. Cutouts and the sink base

Measure and cut openings for plumbing and outlets before setting those cabinets. See our sink base guide for sizing.

5. Doors, drawers, and hardware

Hang doors and adjust the soft-close hinges so gaps are even. Install knobs and pulls with a jig — see our hardware guide.

Should You DIY or Hire It Out?

If you're handy, patient, and have a helper, a straightforward kitchen is a realistic weekend job. If the layout is complex, the walls are badly out of square, or your timeline is tight, professional installation is worth it. CNT offers installation throughout metro Atlanta — measure first with our measuring guide.

Shop Cabinets, In Stock

Browse base cabinets and wall cabinets, in stock at wholesale prices in Norcross, GA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you install wall or base cabinets first?

Wall cabinets first, so you're not leaning over the base boxes. Use a temporary ledger board to hold their weight.

How do you level cabinets on an uneven floor?

Find the floor's highest point, set your height line from there, and shim every other cabinet up to that line.

Can I install kitchen cabinets myself?

Yes, if you're handy and have a helper. A simple kitchen is a weekend job; complex layouts are better left to a pro.

What screws do you use for cabinets?

2.5-inch cabinet screws driven into wall studs, not drywall. Clamp and screw adjacent face frames together.