Ever peeked into someone’s kitchen cabinets, not out of nosiness, but yearning to understand their construction? You’re not alone! At Robert Kline Art, we believe in empowering you to create, even when it comes to seemingly daunting projects like building your own kitchen cabinets. Today, we’re demystifying the process of building sturdy, high-quality kitchen base cabinets, all while keeping it budget-friendly and achievable with simple tools and readily available materials.
Getting Started: Kitchen Cabinet Terminology
Before diving into the construction, let’s familiarize ourselves with some common cabinet terms:
- Cabinet Base: This essential component elevates the cabinet, creating a toekick space and raising the bottom shelf. We’ll be using a separate base for easy toekick installation later and the option to swap for store-bought leg levelers if desired.
- Carcass or Box: This refers to the main plywood structure of the cabinet.
- Supports: Crafted from leftover plywood from the carcasses, these provide stability and serve as attachment points for the top and back panels.
- Face Frame: This framework adds strength and conceals the raw edges of the plywood on the front.
- Back: We’ll be using 1/4″ plywood for a sturdy yet streamlined back. You can opt for 1/2″ for a different look, but 1/4″ offers ample support for this design.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Base Cabinets
Step 1: The Foundation – Building the Base
Think of the base as the bedrock of your cabinets. Using a 2×4 base (a cost-effective choice at around $2 each) eliminates the need to cut a toekick into the sides and simplifies cabinet placement.
Pro Tip: You can also use leg levelers in place of a base.
Step 2: The Townhouse Approach: Maximizing Efficiency and Strength
Imagine building a row of houses. You wouldn’t construct ten individual structures, would you? Townhouses share walls and foundations for a reason – strength and efficiency.
Applying this concept to cabinets, instead of building individual units, consider a “townhouse” approach, especially for a run of cabinets without appliance interruptions. Building a single, long cabinet with dividers on a shared base saves time and materials. Keep the dividers within 36″ to prevent sagging.
Important Note: If using full overlay doors, adjust hinge placement and overlay to ensure proper door alignment.
Step 3: Plywood Cutting – Planning for Precision and Minimal Waste
Accurate plywood cutting is key for a professional-looking result.
- Rip your plywood sheets into 22 3/4″ wide strips. This ensures consistent grain direction for the face frames (assuming you are using 1/4″ backs).
- Use the center scrap for your supports – reducing waste and saving money!
Pro Tip: Renting a table saw or having your plywood cut at the store can save you time and effort.
Step 4: Cutting the Sides
From the ripped plywood strips, cut your sides to length. With a 3 1/2″ toekick and an overall cabinet height of 34 1/2″, your sides will measure 31″ tall.
Step 5: Cutting the Bottoms
Just like the sides, the bottoms are also cut from the 22 3/4″ strips. Calculate the bottom width by subtracting 2″ from your overall cabinet width. This accounts for the 1 1/2″ sides and a 1/2″ overhang of the face frame.
Step 6: Assembling the Cabinet Box
With all the pieces cut, it’s time to assemble the box. Drill 3/4″ pocket holes along the inside front edges of the sides and on the front and side edges of the bottom piece. Secure the pieces together using pocket hole screws.
Alternative Method: Nailing the face frames is another option, but be prepared for the extra step of concealing the nail holes.
Step 7: Crafting the Face Frames
Face frames provide a polished look and added strength. Construct simple 1×2 frames using 3/4″ pocket holes, ensuring they are the full cabinet width and extend 1/4″ beyond the carcass on each side.
Why the overhang?
- Crooked Walls: It allows for adjustments, ensuring perfectly aligned face frames even if your walls are slightly off.
- Imperfect Materials: A little wiggle room accommodates any minor imperfections in the plywood.
- Finished Ends: The overhang provides space to cover the 2×4 base with 1/4″ plywood on the end cabinets for a clean, finished look.
- Appliance Clearance: A slight gap between cabinets and appliances like ovens and dishwashers makes installation smoother.
Key Takeaway: Your face frame determines the final cabinet width, with the box measuring 1/2″ narrower.
Step 8: Adding Support
Remember those plywood scraps? Put them to good use by creating supports for the cabinet top and back. This reinforces the structure and ensures long-lasting durability.
Step 9: The Home Stretch – Admiring Your Work and the Cost Savings!
With all the steps complete, you’ll be amazed at how quickly these cabinets come together. Each cabinet takes approximately 30 minutes to assemble once the plywood is cut.
Budget-Friendly Bonus: Building your own base cabinets is incredibly cost-effective. Using this method, a double-door base cabinet can be built for around $50 in materials.
Conclusion
Building your own kitchen base cabinets is an achievable goal, empowering you to create a custom kitchen you can be proud of, all while saving money. Don’t be afraid to embark on this rewarding project!
We’d love to hear about your DIY cabinet adventures! Share your experiences, questions, and tips in the comments below. And if you’re looking for unique handmade gifts to complement your beautiful new cabinets, browse our selection of handcrafted treasures at Robert Kline Art. Happy crafting!