Customize your existing wall units. Create the look of built in furniture cabinets with a few simple carpentry tricks – you might be surprised at how easy it is to do.
WHAT YOU NEED
- Prefabricated Cabinets
- Measuring Tape
- Sharp Pencil
- Drill
- Studs
- Screws
- Pre finished Blanks
- Stain (to match the existing unit)
- Crown Molding
- Baseboard
INSTRUCTIONS
Carefully measure your space to ensure the desired cabinets will fit your space and meet your needs.
Place order and have cabinets on site before customizing.
Identify and allow for any electrical/mechanical fixtures (i.e. heat runs, internet hookups etc…)
Assemble components into set of lower cabinets.
Locate studs on the wall.
Level lower cabinetry and securely fasten to wall.
Take measurements for left and right backing fill pieces (these pieces will support finished filled pieces).
Once fill is in place measure fill pieces carefully before cutting. The wall will most likely not be parallel to the cabinet edge.
Attach the finished fill pieces (some supplied by manufacturer, pre finished ‘blanks’ were supplied)
Secure on counter top.
Repeat the previous steps (minus the counter top) for the upper cabinets.
Assemble, position, and secure upper cabinetry. Measure and fasten backing. Fasten finished fill pieces using the same instructions as the lower cabinetry.
Gap between top of cabinets and ceiling:
Carefully measure the gap between the cabinets and the ceiling. HINT: The ceiling will most likely not be parallel to the top of the cabinets.
Secure blocking material on top of the upper cabinets between them and the ceiling.
Use pre finished blanks to cut pieces to fill and finish the gaps.
If your ceiling is close to being parallel to the top cabinetry fasten the crown molding to the ceiling. If your ceiling is significantly off horizontally find the lowest point and fasten the crown molding at this point. This will leave a tapered gap that can be filled and painted; or be left as a shadow line if it’s a stained finish.
Fasten the baseboard. Any gaps along the floor can be covered with pre finished baseboard kick fill pieces.
DESIGN NOTES
Fill piece: The piece of material that fits between the end of cabinets and the wall (i.e. in our case 3 ½” wide X 8” tall)
Blank: An oversized piece of wood that you can cut from
Click here for this episode’s Resource Guide.
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