VERY Detailed Ikea Kitchen Cabinet Installation Guide

[@ozarklanding]

Just got my IKEA kitchen delivered in about 120 boxes. After watching your vid, I’m very comfortable to proceed with my install 😎👍.

[@DIYDudes]

Awesome glad you like the video! I know the number of boxes is insane but they go together pretty quickly. Good luck!

[@andrewrebisz2078]

Mine came in at 184 boxes and to be honest I am scared to death but I do feel a little better after watching the video.

[@Wkmor]

@@andrewrebisz2078having spent hundreds of hours of demo, building and installing the units for a small and simple ikea kitchen, don’t ever imagine that even the best of these helpful videos will answer nearly all of your questions And obviously IKEA won’t even answer the phone. You just have to spend your evenings watching all of these people and though they are all helpful, you still end up holding your nose and proceeding without decent instructions here and there hoping for the best

[@cobi1kenobi]

@@andrewrebisz2078 96 for me and I thought they shipped me 2 kitchens

[@homesteadahead475]

Lol @ 120 boxes

[@TheVelmanator]

This is the exact kitchen (cabinet type design) I ordered and it is very possible to do it yourself!! Admittedly, I spent hours at Ikea with them helping me design it (I brought them the measurements of the space), and it was SO WELL WORTH IT! They helped me think through all of the possible functions of the kitchen, so that planning time was helpful and gave me even more confidence to install it myself. If I can do it, anyone can. Great video Super helpful. I think I did all the upper cabinet installation first, and then the floor ones. It felt like it took forever, but the cost of having people come and install it for you vs doing yourself felt like an astronomical difference (to me).

[@cafub2650]

I'm taking on this project as well, the saving from DYI can go towards appliances and other upgrade if needed

[@DIYDudes]

It’s definitely worth it… if you have a bit of handy person ability these cabinets are easy! Just take your time and follow the steps… and definitely take advantage of the ikea team like you did. They are great and really think of the small details that makes sure everything is functional. Good luck!

[@DIYDudes]

It saves a ton of money 💰 good luck!

[@kyleclosner]

I watched this to prepare myself for assembling a complete kitchen in my house. Thanks for the detailed tutorial!

[@DIYDudes]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck with yours!

[@esikazemese]

So maybe you can answer, how far the upper cabinet rail is from the ceiling?

[@DIYDudes]

I can’t answer that. Every ones ceiling height is different, sorry!

[@broletariat]

Hey man I just wanna say this was REALLY helpful. I'm a first timer and I just installed some cabinets in our pantry, it went great thanks to this video.

[@DIYDudes]

Thanks for the great comment ! Glad we could help!

[@mattelliott2940]

Right on time as I'm about to install my new ikea cabs... Thanks for the detailed walkthrough.

[@DIYDudes]

Good luck!

[@vickymel2886]

You did it so confidently and shared things that would only be known from experience. You must have done these many many times! Thank you so much for making a video and sharing! Ikea should pay you!

[@DIYDudes]

Thanks for the great comment ! 👍👍 👍

[@DeborahHarper-x8b]

I've installed four IKEA kitchens and still learned several important things from this video! Well done.

[@DIYDudes]

Thank you!

[@daird9868]

This is very informative and practical - filled with tops on how Ikea cabinets can really be assembled - Thanks so much!

[@DIYDudes]

Thanks for the great comment! Hopefully it helped. 👍

[@alivingwill1]

Thanks for this awesome video! It looks like the ikea instructions recommend a max distance of 12 inches between each screw for the rail, yet my studs are 16 inches apart. Did you just screw into the studs and disregard the 12 inch recommendation? I don’t see a benefit of drilling into the drywall without a stud just to abide by their guideline.

[@DIYDudes]

I would just do every 16” that’s more than enough. Make sure your ends hit a stud and if not use a strong dry wall anchor Thank you!

[@nicoliravioli-il6ml]

All of your Ikea kitchen install videos are amazing! One question, though... I can't seem to find instructions anywhere for installing the false front or dummy drawer. We have one under our induction cooktop and we're not sure how to install it. Do you happen to have any instructions for this? Thanks so much!

[@DIYDudes]

Hey there yes the instructions arnt great for that but there should be L brackets with rounded edges included in the hard ware. Those secure the edge to the cabinet walls and then it should mount to the steel cross brace as well. Just make sure to use the shallow screws so you don’t poke through the cabinet face Thanks for watching and good luck!

[@cbosovq]

Well Done. Thank You. One question. I didn't see a measurement for the upper rails. Is that subjective?

[@DIYDudes]

Yeah it depends on your room. Ideally you should base it off of an 18” back splash. Good luck!

[@EricCharlebois-g5n]

You mention adding custom shelves in the corner between the cabinets. Would you happen to have a video of that or a picture of the finished product? I'm looking at potentially doing the same and would have liked to see the end result. Thanks.

[@DIYDudes]

Thanks for watching and the comment. But no I’m sorry I don’t have photos of the final product but I can assure you it looks great!

[@Bog8686]

Curious what happens with the floor under those cabinets? I need to gut my entire kitchen but was going to lay tire prior to cabinets? Which is better, before.or after and how to tile after they're installed? Cut holes for legs in tile and raise them temporarily?

[@DIYDudes]

If you’re doing mortared in place tiles just do the tiles right through first and then do the cabinets afterwards. No need to cut holes for the legs they would just sit right on top of the tile and the kick plate covers the legs up

[@Zorak2319]

Did you use a fine cabinetry blade in your circular saw and table saw to prevent chipping the melamine on the side panets? Your cuts look beautiful!

[@DIYDudes]

For sure. 👍 lots of little teeth = smooth cuts!

[@Zorak2319]

@@DIYDudes Thanks!

[@msgrandia8533]

This video has been SO helpful to us newbie DIYers! Quick question: we’re getting ready to cut our cover panels with a circular saw-what blade do u suggest? Yours went through like butter ;)

[@DIYDudes]

Thank you! I used a fine cut blade on my skill saw, basically a saw blade with a lot of little teeth. Good luck!

[@LiamG458]

Whats the max load capacity of the two wall cabinets on the right hand side?

[@laurarichpeterson1032]

Thank you for showing the trick to release the drawer front. I put it in wrong and thought I was going to have to go buy a whole new drawer kit.

[@DIYDudes]

I know it’s a lifesaver. Thanks !

[@angelinterceptor69]

Pretty good vid. Just one tip. Install the legs before you hang the bottom cabinets.

[@DIYDudes]

Thank you! I do partially agree but I hate installing them before and they tend to fall off, I have tried the screw trick as well thanks for watching

[@uhavemooface]

You finished up the cabinets but what about the counter top for those cabinets? I would love to see that.

[@DIYDudes]

Hey thanks for watching. Check out my other videos. I actually poured a concrete counter top for the top of this one, there’s a video of it on my channel

[@itssunnyinflorida9529]

Really good info and excellent audio.

[@DIYDudes]

Thank you!

[@EvanAnnie]

Thanks for the detailed video! Super helpful. I couldn't tell from the video but does that corner cabinet only attach to one suspension rail? I haven't been able to find online if it has to attach to both suspension rails.

[@DIYDudes]

Any were the cabinets have holes in the top right /left. Corners should be mounted to a rail. , I believe that includes both sides of the corner cabinet Thanks for the comment good luck!

[@TbDIYG]

Thank you for the helpful content. What rail installation would you recommend for hanging three 30” width wall cabinets? I have one 84” full rail and a left over 12” rail piece. Would you recommend trying to combine these pieces after cutting 6” off the 84” piece? Or buy another full 84” rail and cut a 60” and 30” piece from the two full size rails?

[@DIYDudes]

I would recommend splitting it evenly if you can but as long as your 12”piece is anchored at each side sufficiently you would really be alright. The More anchors/stud mounting points the better Good luck !

[@kiltedmonkcustoms]

I didn't see you figure out the high-spot and low-spot in the floor. Mounting traditional cabinets, you find the "high-spot" based on the laser level and shim every cabinet up from there. How do you compensate for this with Ikea?

[@DIYDudes]

Same concept you find the high spot and then mount your rail according to that, no shimming required because the cabinets hang off of the rail…. The legs have a screw feature that gets adjusted down as required

[@thirteenthgrade508]

I am installing my upper cabinets to a soffit. (2 together) would I install the cover panel on top first before installing on the wall?

[@DIYDudes]

Sorry not exactly sure what u mean but I do always find it’s easier to install the cover panels afterwards so they can be marked in place and then cut. Good luck!

[@ThisIsNotAVideo]

I would not advise using a standard construction screw. They shear too easily. There are heavier duty screws available from Simpson Strong Tie, GRK, etc. from home depot. Some are marketed as lag bolt replacements. I use them for more peace of mind, especially for upper cabinets.

[@DIYDudes]

I think i used #4 which are thicker. But yes the bigger the better. I think i standard #2 screw is rated for 250 lbs. thanks for watching!

[@KevinCharlebois]

Thanks for the helpful video! How much of a reveal did you leave with the side cover panels? 1/8" of the door revealed or did you have the cover panel flush with the face of the door?

[@DIYDudes]

Thank you! I normally do 1/2”. Which leaves it slightly recessed back from the door. Thanks for watching!

[@matthewmiller2513]

If floor isnt level should i try measuring from ceiling to get proper measurement for the rails

[@DIYDudes]

You could. Just make sure you have enough room below your counter line for your cabinets afterwards…. You still want to maintain that minimum height off the flier though for the height of the work top

[@joaquinsantana3117]

Did I miss how high you placed the top railing? I saw the width but the height

[@DIYDudes]

Maybe I skipped over it but measure from the bottom of the upper cabinet to the hanger point for the rail. Then add 18” for your backsplash height plus your counter thickness and then you’ll have the height of the rail from the top of the base cabinet. Good luck! 🤞

[@22bungalow]

so is there no solution for the empty space above the corner base cabinet? the wall cabinets don't butt up together so it looks like something is missing.

[@DIYDudes]

Hey there i ended up putting shelves there but you can get a corner cabinet unit for the uppers. Thanks for watching!

[@johnardirizarry4932]

awesome video but isn't flooring supposed to go before cabinets?

[@DIYDudes]

No the flooring floats so you don’t want it to be pinched by the cabinets sitting on top. It needs to be able to expand/contract. Good luck!

[@nick-x2h]

What height is the top of shelving? I have 8’ walls & 30” tall shelving. U suggest pushing it tight to ceiling or bringing it down some, how much down?

[@DIYDudes]

I would try and keep your back splash height at 18” and leave a gap at the top. If you do any more your cabinets will be to hard to access. Good luck!

[@boyananakiev4896]

23:15 one thing i didnt get is why is there a gap between these 2 cabinets, at first when you installed them, there didnt seem to be one, i think they were even drilled togew so why is there one and so why the need of a cover panel there? Is it so that theres a bit of a gap when you open your doors?

[@DIYDudes]

Hey I added the cover panel between those two so it covers the exposed face on the lower cabinet…. It’s not need for door spacing or any thing like that. Just the aesthetic of covering the white panel side. Thanks for watching!

[@seandwilliams]

Why not just just the grey cover panel to the height necessary to cover the exposed part of the white panel of the taller cabinet? That way you don't need to separate the two cabinet boxes, nor cut a notch to accommodate the rail. @@DIYDudes

[@papalinguine4092]

@@seandwilliamsLess intersecting lines. Better visual effect to cary the panel all the way

[@JoyceDBarton]

Great instructional video for Ikea kitchen. Thank you!

[@DIYDudes]

Thank you good luck Joyce!

[@wenhuiluo1900]

what do you think skipping the cover board and just go paint the white surface with a similar color?

[@DIYDudes]

I wouldn’t it would be hard to match the colour and the cover panels add a nice trimmed look. They really frame in the cupboard doors. Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@pilbomags488]

The lower rail isnt carrying any weight so it doesnt have to be overkill strong to wall

[@DIYDudes]

The lower rail does take the majority of the weight. The legs are just for levelling. Make sure you mount it in enough studs/anchors to hold it. Especially with stone counter topsn

[@jamesbentsen2612]

Which brand/model laser (self leveling I assume) are you using, and happy with? Thank you!

[@DIYDudes]

Hey James I’m using a Dewalt at the moment and it works great so far. It is on the lower end though it was only about $100

[@DIYDudes]

Hey James I’m using a Dewalt at the moment and it works great so far. It is on the lower end though it was only about $100

[@mikebeasley862]

Why did you add a half-inch to the rail height?

[@DIYDudes]

Hey there i added half an inch to account for the floor height that I hadn’t installed yet… thanks for watching!

[@StoryUnlocked]

Do you need the suspension rail for base cabinets or can you go without?

[@DIYDudes]

Hey you 100% need the rail. The cabinets hang off of it. The legs are only meant to level, not take weight. U could build a load bearing base out of 2x4 but that’s a totally different beast. Good luck!

[@StoryUnlocked]

@@DIYDudes Thank you! Yeah we plan on building the base out of wood :)

[@GEO-Heather]

I really appreciate the video and your instructions. Have you considered the fact that most kitchen users need more space between the uppers and countertops? Even a coffee pot can’t be filled with them so low. Why leave such a huge unsightly gap at the top when you could simply raise the uppers another few inches? This went out in the 1990s.

[@DIYDudes]

Hey there thanks for the positive comment, you can get larger cabinets that go to the ceiling but I find that the upper shelves are unreachable. Maybe on the next one

[@lemontart3219]

That is where you store the Christmas dishes.😀@@DIYDudes

[@kaltimus]

@@lemontart3219😂

[@vbroder15]

How about your countertop size?

[@DIYDudes]

Building a Concrete Counter Top for the First Time! kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4C0qoijepqGiMk I actually did a cast in place concrete counter top on this one. You should check it out!

[@stephenrawle3013]

hi, do you have to cover the legs with kickboard or leave as is ?

[@DIYDudes]

Hey there yes there is a lock board that comes with it. It has little clips that just snap to the legs. Thanks for watching

[@Doeyhead]

Do you have any suggestions for which laser level to use for the entire scope of the project?

[@eilatanfontana]

There are links in the description/information in this video.

[@karlgolles8202]

Thanks for sharing , well explained.

[@DIYDudes]

Thank you! 🙏

[@karlgolles8202]

@@DIYDudes you helped me , big time , tricks of the trade , it makes such a difference,

[@chocorella]

Are the under cabinets standing on feet’s?

[@DIYDudes]

Hey there! The cabinets weight is taken by the hanger on the back the feet are the plastic feet that come with it but they are more for leveling then taking the weight. Thanks for watching!

[@markleewilson6611]

You got any vids on installing the worktops

[@DIYDudes]

I don’t, just a cast in place concrete counter top. Thanks for watching!

[@Boxcarphilly]

Pretty informative video, thank you. But one of the trickier things that always gets me is the adjustment on the cupboard doors to make them square. Too bad you didn't include that step. You mentioned it but left it out of the demonstration.

[@crownmoldingbyspectaculart941]

How long did it take to install this amount of cabinetry?

[@DIYDudes]

Two solid days to build and install these ones. Thanks for watching!

[@spicynomad]

rub lipstick on the pipes and then but the cabinet to the pipes to know the precise position to cut.

[@DIYDudes]

Great tip thanks!

[@spicynomad]

@@DIYDudes no problema.

[@DIYDudes]

👍

[@iamrishio]

Is it better to put the base cabinets over an unfinished or finished floor? I’d think over the finished to protect the base floor from water leaks.

[@DIYDudes]

Just preference really and depends what kind of floor. If it was tile or a fixed floor I would say put it on top. If it’s a floating floor like a laminate you just need to make sure the legs of the cabinets don’t pin the floor down and prevent it from moving

[@globalgypsy7913]

You are hired!

[@DIYDudes]

Thank you!

[@myz06rocks]

Whoever finalized the design from ikea that allowed a cabinet door to hit a cabinet on another wall was pretty gifted. Otherwise great video on the install.

[@DIYDudes]

Lol thanks it was a very small room… the doors work nicely though, it’s weird ikea does not have a corner cabinet unless I’m missing something Thanks for watching

[@LL-fy1ky]

They do have corner cabinets though.

[@DIYDudes]

Sorry I am missing something,, they were out of stock when the order was placed and couldn’t give me a date for when they were coming in so we went without

[@kaltimus]

@@DIYDudesFYI you can buy hinge angle restriction clips that stop the hinge from opening fully when it would open against a wall/another cabinet/appliance/etc. the Blum ones work for ikea hinges 😊

[@DIY_Al]

UGH! On all the rails, the small wedges that hold the rail to the wall are mounted incorrectly. They are 90 degrees from where they need to be. The wedges are designed so that you can move them left or right to lower and raise the rail to get it level. I wonder where else you goofed?

[@DIYDudes]

Hey thanks for the comment but you are not correct,the rail height can be adjust no matter which way the washer (not wedge) is oriented… you can see in the video how I make sure the rail is level prior to torquing down the screws

[@DIY_Al]

@@DIYDudes check the instructions.

[@mountainviewvintage386]

I am currently putting together the flat panel white gloss section kitchen….it’s not worth the 10k I saved instead of Home Depot lol. So dumb how every single piece is in each separate box and no full instructions so just guessing which drawer front goes with what back (I got mostly huge bottom drawers rather than cabinets) ughhh kill me now😒😒😒😒

[@DIYDudes]

I know it can be tough. Once I build one or two it’s just a repeat. Good luck!

[@RUGQBIFF]

Nice job. Dont listen to the knuckle heads.

[@DIYDudes]

Lol thank you!

[@rickbisaccia3802]

As "detailed as your instructions may be I see no reference to the black plastic widgets that go some where in refence to the hangars....

[@DIYDudes]

Don’t quote me on this. I would have to double check the instructions but I think they are spacers to be used inside the hanger assembly… good luck let me know if I am wrong!

[@paulatellez1506]

Those are used if you don’t want to use the metal piece but with the metal is safer

[@kaltimus]

Hi! It looks like your back panels are all one piece, not the folded style. Is that true? I recently bought some sektion wall cabinets and the boxes came half the size because the back panels are all folded in half. The kitchen department says that that is wrong and they should be one piece in the back. Yet customer service and the quality control guy insists the sektion cabinets have been like that for 10 years. (but he also claimed all the floor displays wouldn’t show the fold because the back panel is up against the wall…so he didn’t even understand how they’re installed properly with the rail system LMFAO - the back panels are at least a half an inch away from the wall so if you push on it, and there was a fold, you would notice.) So I’m doing some research online myself to see what other people have gotten in the recent past

[@DIYDudes]

Hey there structurally the back panels act as an angle brace to stop the cabinets from folding over on to themselves so the are definitely needed. In terms of the fold yes there is a fold on any thing over I think 24” width. The probably do it that way for shipping purposes. I’ve never really considered the fold to be an aesthetic issue though it’s covered up by the doors or what ever u have in your cabinets. Good luck!

[@kaltimus]

@@DIYDudesOk so I’d like to clarify. Do any of the cabinets in THIS video have folds? Because it doesn’t look like they do. My cabinets are the 24” wide by 14” ones, they’re all WALL cabinets, and the top ones will have glass doors so the fold is definitely a cosmetic issue. Thanks 😊

[@DIYDudes]

Hey sorry yes the definitely do… if you are concerned about it you could custom cut a new 1/4” backing but that’s probably overkill

[@Thefierofarm]

o dear lord....

[@DIYDudes]

Thanks for watching!

[@0100101101001011]

Fart at 20:38

[@DIYDudes]

Lol! Maybe. Sure sounds like it 👍

[@Marcel-eg9bz]

Those black plastic legs are dog water. Everything else is great though.

[@DIYDudes]

The legs get covered up by a kick plate that snaps. It’s easy to install and looks ok … I find they are a bit flimsy

[@Marcel-eg9bz]

@DIYDudes yeah that's what I mean. They're super flimsy, they don't attach well to the cabinets, the ring that slides down the the bottom is annoying, etc. In my opinion they should axe that product entirely and figure out a better way. Personally, I always build a simple base from lumber and set the cabinets on top. Doesn't need to look pretty, and it's just as easy to install a kick plate on lumber than on the little legs. You gotta think with the weight of the cabinets, the stuff inside, the countertop, maybe a sink, water in the sink, etc that's a lot of weight for two flimsy plastic legs to hold up. Super helpful video though, nothing you did wrong or anything, it's just that product that I dislike.

[@DIYDudes]

Yeah I do agree. I’ve built them before on a 2x4 base and it was no problem, I think ikea probably feels like a heavy duty base is to much for the average person, they are meant to be able to diy.

[@Marcel-eg9bz]

@@DIYDudes Yeah, I agree. We had a tall, narrow Ikea cabinet that we used as a pantry - we basically had an hole in the wall which we slid the box back into (saves me from having to build one from scratch), but there's not way those legs were going to stay on (you can't really move the piece at all), so I built a base out of 2x4 and drilled it directly into the cabinet. I suppose the legs are maybe okay if its rail mounted to the wall and you don't have to move the piece at all, but I still don't love em that much.

[@lgmnowkondo938]

You put the rail on the wall where the corner cabinet goes...and on the wall where it's not required. I'm not sure you're qualified to be giving people the 411 on ikea cabinet installs.

[@DIYDudes]

Lol a little extra rail doesn’t hurt. I actually had it go through there so I would pick up a stud and have a stronger rail for the adjacent cabinet.

[@lgmnowkondo938]

@@DIYDudes come on...

[@Katana_00]

@@lgmnowkondo938dude, get a life

[@DIYDudes]

Lol

[@dtalamantes10]

Are you serious? He used too much rail and that makes him unqualified? How do you know he just didn't want to take the time to cut it? If I have all my rail pieces and have enough, why would I cut them down just to have to have a scrap piece to put in the trash "C'mon" You should be saying that to yourself. ​@@lgmnowkondo938

[@cray7499]

I need a handyman 😅🫠

[@DIYDudes]

Lol. Diy it! Good luck!

[@cray7499]

@@DIYDudes if I dont DIE trying to DIY 🫠