Explore Wall Cabinets

When it comes to kitchen and bath design, you are only limited by your creativity. Cabinets of all kinds are incredibly versatile meaning you can use wall cabinets in other locations. Think of cabinet types as a rule of thumb. They are great at fulfilling their original job but can also be used creatively to design other projects.

• Custom bookcases
• Shallow base cabinets (back of island, buffet, etc.)
• Custom shallow pantries
• Built-in cabinets and benches
• Entertainment center cabinets
• Custom stacked wall oven cabinets
• Wall-mounted bathroom cabinets

Cabinet height is a matter of your design preference. No matter how tall the ceilings are, wall cabinets are always mounted at 54 inches above the finished floor. This is to maintain an 18-inch backsplash and enough room to work and use small appliances in the kitchen.

Outside of these standards, most kitchens will only use stacked cabinets up to 8 or 9 feet. It’s possible to use taller wall cabinets, but after a certain height, it gets difficult to access the storage space and would require a ladder or large step stool.

Although there is no hard and fast rule, smaller more compact kitchens tend to use shorter wall cabinets that are 3 – 6 inches below ceiling height. This is to provide some visual relief and help the kitchen design feel less “heavy”. In large kitchens with tall ceiling heights, most people like to use 42-inch-tall wall cabinets or design stacked cabinets up to the ceiling for display.

Need a designer’s opinion for your kitchen? Talk to a CliqStudios designer for help!

1. Locate the wall studs and cabinet mounting height at 54 inches above the finished floor. Mark these locations on the wall.
2. Try to make sure that each wall cabinet can attach to at least one wall stud. Always measure the cabinet distance by using the front cabinet face frame reveal because it’s wider than the back of the box.
3. Install ledger rails under the marked mounting height for support during installation.
4. Start with the corner wall cabinet. Transfer the stud locations minus one inch to the back of the corner wall cabinet
5. On the same cabinet line, make a mark down 2 inches from the top and 2 inches up from the bottom, then intersect these measurements with the stud locations.
6. On the mark intersections, drill through the cabinet back using a 3/32-inch drill bit. Repeat this process for all other markings.
7. Raise the upper cabinet into place resting on the ledger rail and fasten it to the wall with a #8 x 2-½" pan head trim screw, but don’t fully tighten.
8. Check the upper cabinet is level and shim where necessary.
9. Repeat the measuring, pre-drilling and installation for the remaining wall cabinets. If you purchased framed cabinets, always measure for cabinet placement based on the cabinet face frame. This part of the cabinet is wider than the box.
10. Carefully align all the cabinet face frames with a C-clamp or quick-grip tool.
11. Drill a 3/32-inch pilot hole in three places along the hinge side of the adjoining face frames followed by counter-sync drilling.
12. Use beeswax on trim screws to reduce resistance as you drill screws into the face frame. For appearance purposes you can hide two of the trim screws behind the hinge plates.
13. Continue this process until all the wall cabinets have been installed.
14. Do one final check that all cabinets are level and trim, then tighten all the screws. Use the same methods to attach fillers where needed.
15. To attach loose decorative panels, gently sand the back of the end panel for a smooth surface and wipe clean after sanding.
16. Position the panel over the upper cabinet side to do a dry-fit test. Trim the end panel if necessary.
17. Apply the panel using contact cement or construction adhesive then apply the adhesive per the manufacturer’s instructions. Some adhesives may require brad nails to secure the panel along with the adhesive.
18. Contact your CliqStudios kitchen designer with any questions on your floor plan or installation along the way.

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