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How to Hang Wall Cabinets by Yourself
Installing wall cabinets can seem really intimidating, but with these simple steps, you can hang them all by yourself!!
If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you know that I’ve spent the last few weeks gutting my garage, having drywall installed, and organizing all of my stuff. I’m finally to the point where I can install the cabinets and I am so excited to be one step closer to the workshop of my dreams! If you need to catch up, check out my “Garage Workshop” highlight, linked here.
This is only the second time I’ve hung cabinets, and I promise you, it’s SO simple if you follow these steps:
First thing’s first, you’re going to need the proper tools and materials so you’re working smarter not harder!
Materials:
- Upper and Lower Cabinets, mine are Weston shaker style cabinets from RTA Cabinet Store in the color Sand
- Shims (lots and lots of shims)
- Scrap piece of 2×4
- Cabinet Screws
Tools:
- Laser Level
- Level
- Drill or Impact Driver
- Stud finder
- Face frame cabinet clamp
Step 1: Measure, measure, and measure again!
To get ready to order the cabinets I measured every wall in the garage and even had RTA Cabinet Store put together a mockup so I could visualize the cabinets in my space. I had to know the layout I wanted and the measurements for the walls, ceiling, and so much more. It was a lot of front end work, but the attention to detail in this step truly pays off.
Step 2: Arrange the Cabinets
Once you get all of your cabinets unboxed and in your garage, you get to arrange them! I ordered pre-assembled cabinets to save time by not having to assemble all the doors and drawers. I unboxed all the cabinets and then arranged them in the garage how I had planned them out. Aside from accidentally putting a few holes in the drywall (IYKYK), this step was really fun because I got to see my vision come to life! *Important* This is when you’ll want to take note of any outlet boxes that will be inside the cabinets. Measure where the outlet is on the wall and translate that onto your cabinet, then use a multi-tool to cut out a hole in the back of the cabinet for you to pull the outlets through. This is much easier to do BEFORE the cabinets are attached to the wall.
Step 3: Upper Cabinets: Hanging Hack
Take it from someone who literally can’t do a single pushup, if I can hang an upper cabinet by myself, so can you.
The secret is to use a scrap 2×4 to hold the cabinet up for you while you hang it. Use a level to screw the 2×4 into the wall exactly where you want the bottom of your cabinet to sit. Hoist your cabinet up and let the back rest on the board. This will absorb the weight of the cabinet while you screw it into the studs. Use a laser level to mark where the studs are so you know where to secure the cabinet. Once your cabinet is set in place, remove the 2×4, stand back, and admire your work! You’ll only have to patch two tiny holes!
Step 4: Base Cabinets
- Use shims. ALL. THE. SHIMS.
- Draw a line with your level at the HIGHEST point of your floor. Always remember most floors and walls are NOT level. You will want to start installing cabinets at the highest point first so you can level them all on the same plane.
- Once you have your line drawn, start at the bottom back of the cabinet first. You’ll want to wedge the shims on both sides by tapping with a hammer until the back of the cabinet matches the level line that you drew.
- You may have to put a few shims underneath the front of the cabinet to ensure that the cabinet sits flush to the wall.
- To check that it’s level, set your level across the top of cabinet as normal to ensure it’s level from side to side, then place it diagonally across the cabinet to ensure it’s level from front to back, then place the level vertically on the side of the cabinet to ensure it’s plumb. Once the cabinet is completely level, secure it with a cabinet screw to the stud in the wall.
- Repeat for each base cabinet. Then, to secure the base cabinets to each other, you’ll need to remove the doors, clamp the faces of the cabinets together with a bar clamp, and secure with a cabinet screw.
