How To Hang a Kitchen Wall Cabinet 

Installing a kitchen wall cabinet can transform any dull kitchen area into something fresh. It adds function, style, and can expand your storage area. The task might seem daunting, but it can be a breeze if you prepare your space, gather the necessary tools, and follow directions closely. Read our step-by-step guide on how to hang a kitchen wall cabinet below, and watch the video above for tips from This Old House general contractor Tom Silva.  

Selecting the Right Kitchen Wall Cabinet

Think about style, the size of the cabinet you want, and how a potential cabinet will function in your space as you start planning. The right cabinet should be a seamless extension of your current space.

Measuring Your Space

Measure the area in which you plan to install the cabinet before you start shopping. Carefully measure the width of the installation area, the space between the countertop and your planned cabinet’s bottom, and the depth of your available space.

Sizing Tip: Stock kitchen wall cabinets typically come in widths that change in 3-inch increments and heights that vary in 6-inch increments, so measure carefully and know that your options may not perfectly match your available space. Semi-custom and custom cabinets offer more flexibility in sizing but require longer lead times.

Matching Your Kitchen’s Style

Select a cabinet that complements your existing kitchen design. Browse through several door styles, wood types, and hardware finishes to find what you’re looking for. You can always paint your cabinets later.

Considering Glass Panels

Consider finishing your cabinet with glass-paneled doors, which can add visual interest to your kitchen. Clear glass is a great way to display decor, such as cookbooks and heirloom items, while frosted or textured glass can conceal what’s behind. Leaded glass offers a vintage or high-end look.

Preparing for Kitchen Wall Cabinet Installation

Proper preparation is the key to a successful cabinet installation. Start by gathering everything you’ll need to complete the installation.

Gathering Tools and Materials

Gather the items below before you begin your kitchen renovation:

• 3-inch cabinet screws 
• 4-foot level
• Cabinet jack or support system
• Drill/driver
• Stud finder
• Tape measure

Locating Wall Studs

Locating wall studs is the key to keeping your cabinets supported. Follow the steps below to locate your wall studs:

1. Use a stud finder to locate wall studs.
2. Mark stud locations on the wall.
3. Confirm stud positions by drilling small pilot holes.

Marking Cabinet Placement

Next, you must accurately transfer the stud locations to your cabinet. Measure from the corner to each stud center, and subtract the cabinet’s face frame overhang from these measurements. Mark the adjusted measurements on the cabinet’s back.

Pro Tip: If your cabinet only lines up with one stud, that’s not enough support — especially once you load it with dishes or other heavy items. As demonstrated on This Old House, Tom Silva recommends adding horizontal blocking between each stud cavity before installation: “You gotta think about the weight of the cabinet. What’s gonna go into those cabinets? You never know. Let’s say dishes. Well, that’s heavy.” Cut 2×4 blocking to fit between the studs at the height of your cabinet’s mounting rail, and secure it so every screw has solid wood to bite into.

Installing the Kitchen Wall Cabinet

Now that you’ve completed preparation, you can hang your cabinet. Follow the steps below.

1. Drill pilot holes into the cabinet’s back at the marked stud locations.
2. Hand-thread cabinet screws into each pilot hole.
3. Set up a cabinet jack or support system at the proper height.
4. Lift the cabinet onto the support system with the help of a friend or family member.
5. Press the cabinet firmly against the wall.
6. Make sure the cabinet is level. Make adjustments as needed.
7. Drive screws through the upper back of the cabinet into the wall studs.
8. Secure the bottom of the cabinet with additional screws.

If your cabinet features glass doors, carefully insert them into the door frames. Secure the panels with screw-on plastic clips.

Tips for a Professional-Looking Kitchen Wall Cabinet Installation

Follow the tips below to get a polished result from your new kitchen wall cabinet.

Dealing with Uneven Walls

Older homes frequently have walls that aren’t perfectly plumb. If this is the case in your home, use shims to create a level surface for the cabinet. Consider scribing the cabinet back so that it fits perfectly against an uneven wall. 

Pro Tip: Tom Silva, This Old House general contractor, explains why corner cabinets deserve extra attention: “Corner cabinets are usually the first ones to be installed, so if they don’t fit right, the rest of the cabinets probably won’t, either.” His solution when walls meet at an angle greater than 90 degrees is to remove some drywall so the backs of the corner cabinets nestle closer to the studs, preventing unsightly gaps at the ends.

Hanging Multiple Cabinets

If you’re installing a series of cabinets, connect adjacent cabinets before mounting them. This will keep them properly aligned. Use a long level to make sure all of your cabinets are flush across the front.

Adding Finishing Touches

Complete your installation with the final steps below.

• Add hardware such as knobs or pulls.
• Adjust door hinges so that your elements are aligned.
• Install any interior shelving or organizers.

Our Conclusion

Installing a kitchen wall cabinet as part of a do-it-yourself project can enhance the look and utility of your kitchen. If you plan carefully, gather the right tools, and pay attention to detail, you can get a polished, professional result. 

Key Technique: When fastening wall cabinets, use 2½-inch deck screws fitted with cabinet washers to secure the cabinet through its back and into wall studs. The washers provide more surface area, preventing the screw heads from pulling through the cabinet material. Always check for both level and plumb — level side to side under the cabinet, then plumb on the front face — before driving all your screws home.