How to Install a Kitchen - Step by Step Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to install a kitchen.

Whether you're embarking on an ambitious DIY project or simply want to understand what's involved, we've composed this step-by-step manual with you in mind.

Drawing upon our 25 years of experience and having sold tens of thousands of kitchens, we bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to offer invaluable advice. It's no small undertaking, indeed.

Note: This guide gives an overview of the whole process, it assumes you have some basic understanding of DIY tasks, but even if you're an absolute beginner, don't worry, we're here to help!

Remember, you can always hire a professional for more complex tasks while tackling the simpler ones yourself - it's all about learning. It's important to stay safe and feel confident in the tasks you are completing.

Our guide is segmented into key sections to ease your navigation and help you find information quickly.

Here is what we'll be going through, step by step:

Planning and Designing Your Kitchen Layout*
Gathering the Necessary Tools and Materials*
Preparing the Workspace*
Demolishing and Removing the Old Kitchen*
Installing the Kitchen Cabinets
Measuring and Installing Worktops
1. Measuring Worktops
2. Installing Worktops
Installing the Sink and Tap
Installing and Connecting Appliances
Electrical and Plumbing Considerations
Installing Backsplash and Wall Tiles
Installing Kitchen Flooring
Adding Finishing Touches, Lighting and Décor
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Budgeting and Cost Considerations
Safety Tips and Precautions
Glossary of Kitchen Terms
Your Next Steps in the Kitchen Installation

Each section will provide detailed, easy to understand overview and links to more detailed instructions.

If you don't understand a term or a concept, don't panic - we've included a glossary with common kitchen installation terms and their definitions.

Now, let's start your kitchen installation journey!

1. Planning and Designing Your Kitchen Layout

Before you begin the nuts and bolts of kitting out your kitchen, the first step involves the all-important facet of planning and designing your layout.

This process is crucial to ensure that space is optimised and that your kitchen is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. It's like designing a blueprint for your project that will guide your actions in later stages.

In the design phase, you'll need to consider several factors, from the size and shape of your kitchen to your storage needs, work habits, and lifestyle.

This is an exciting stage where you can let your creativity flourish while keeping practicality at heart.

Key considerations during Planning and Design

Space utilisation: Consider how to best utilise the available space. Think about the 'working triangle' - the optimum position of the hob, sink and fridge.

Storage: Storage is king in kitchen design. Plan for ample cupboard and drawer space, and consider installing wall units or overhead cabinets.

Appliance Placement: Where you place your appliances can have a significant impact on workflow and functionality. Balance between usage and appearance.

Lighting: Good lighting is crucial in a kitchen. Incorporate layered lighting with a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting.

Style and Finish: This is where your personal taste comes into play. Consider the style and finish that complements your home décor.

Design and Planning Tools

Downloadable Planning Guide: An essential resource for all stages of the process, ensuring you don’t lose track.

3D Online Kitchen Planner: You'll love the Better Kitchens online planner tool. This handy utility provides a convenient, time-saving way to visualise and create your perfect kitchen layout.

Full showroom facilities: Visit us in person to explore all the options, materials, and designs on offer.

Our helpful team: Need a guiding hand? Our experienced team is always ready to provide friendly assistance and advice.

The above considerations should serve as a solid start point, the more careful thought you put into this stage, the smoother the rest of the installation will go.

2. Essential Tools and Fixing Materials for the Install

Before proceeding to install your kitchen, it's essential to gather all the necessary tools and materials.

Having everything at hand will ensure a smooth, seamless, and efficient project, ultimately saving you time and potential frustration.

From measuring tapes to power drills, your toolkit should be well-equipped and ready for various tasks.

Likewise, the right materials are a must, whether it's the flat-pack cabinets or the fittings, ensure they align with your project requirements and your vision for your kitchen.

Here's What You'll Need:

When preparing for a kitchen installation, it's important to equip yourself with all necessary tools that will facilitate a smooth and efficient process.

We've compiled the following list of tools commonly used in kitchen installations. This isn't by any means an exhaustive checklist, but it covers the basics you're likely to need.

Hand Tools

Set of screwdrivers: Possess a variety of sizes and types, both flat-headed and Phillips.

Hand saw: Ideal for making quick cuts or adjustments to kitchen structures if needed. Ensure your blades are sharp.

Tape measure: Precision is vital in kitchen installation. Accurate measurements are key so that every part fits just right.

Pencil: For marking any measurements or outlines directly onto your kitchen structures.

Set of spirit levels: It is crucial to ensure everything is perfectly aligned from cabinets to appliances.

Masking tape: Useful for marking areas without leaving residual marks or damaging surfaces.

Hammer: Whether you're doing work such as knocking in levelling shims, removing old fixings, or any tasks that require some force, a trusty hammer is undeniably essential.

Clamps: These will hold elements stable while you work, enhancing safety and precision.

Power Tools

Cordless drill and impact driver: These are inevitable for attaching parts such as cabinets and handles.
SDS drill: An ideal tool for drilling into walls, especially if you are installing heavy objects.
Jig saw (with downward cutting jigsaw blades): Extremely practical for cutting out more complex shapes or sections of your kitchen.
Circular saw: Ideal for making straight cuts in a variety of materials.
Router and worktop jig: These are used for perfecting the edges and joins on your worktops.
Laser level (optional): While a spirit level achieves great results, a laser level can further streamline the process for detailed installation.

Fixing Materials

Wood screws: These are essential for attaching the kitchen cabinets to the wall.

Bolts and washers: Ideal for a secure hold, especially when installing heavy objects.

Adhesives: A strong adhesive is necessary for sticking parts together, such as countertops or back plashes.

Nails: Useful for securing loose or small pieces, like moulding or trim.

Wall Plugs and anchors: These are used for adding extra security when fixing cabinets onto walls.

Silicone sealant: Needed for sealing gaps around sinks and backsplashes to prevent water leakage.

Wedge spacers: Utilised to evenly space out tiles during wall tile installation.

In Depth Reading: Essential Tools and Fixings for a Kitchen Installation

3. Preparing the Workspace

Before any process of installing a new kitchen begins, it's absolutely crucial to prepare your workspace.

Doing so ensures the safety of everyone involved and makes for a more efficient working environment. Let's walk you through some key steps to make this area as conducive as possible.

Clear and Empty Your Kitchen

Before we dive into the heart of your kitchen installation, let's talk about the initial step which is an all-important clear-out.

Remove everything from your kitchen. Decluttering is key here - from small gadgets and food items, to large appliances.

If you're planning on reusing some appliances, make sure to safely disconnect them and move them to another place.

By doing this, you ensure the entire space can be worked with easily, providing an uninterrupted platform for the forthcoming steps of your kitchen installation.

Getting Ready to Remove the Old Kitchen Cabinets

Removing old kitchen units is a major part of getting your kitchen installation-ready.

Experienced kitchen installers handle kitchen installation tasks with relative ease, and so can you.

With the right tools, such as hammers and crowbars, they have an impressive ability to dismantle an old kitchen in a flash.

Though this might result in a bit of a mess initially, it's actually the fastest and most cost-effective strategy.

However, if you plan to repurpose these old units, possibly in the garage or a utility room, then a more careful approach is needed. This means exercising caution to conserve the units during the removal process.

It could be a bit more time-consuming, but absolutely worth it if you're looking to save these units for future use.

Maintain a Safe Working Environment

With an empty space now, ensure that there are no obstructions that could pose potential hazards. Check for protruding nails or any sharp edges on walls or floors.

Clear away any dust or loose particles that could be a slipping risk. A clean, hazard-free workspace is a safer one.

Plan for Dust and Debris

Installing a new kitchen generates plenty of dust and grimy debris. You can manage this by placing dust sheets over any remaining furniture you have in adjacent rooms and sealing the kitchen doorways.

Also, remember to keep a vacuum handy. Regularly clearing the dust ensures a cleaner working space and less of a clean-up task at the end.

Prepare a Tool Station

Lastly, you need your tools to be within reach and well-arranged. Create a dedicated area in your workspace where you can place your tools and equipment systematically.

This minimises the chances of misplacing them and also helps speed up work as you won't waste time hunting around for what you need.

In summary, a well-prepared workspace is guaranteed to make the kitchen installation process smoother and safer.

While it might feel like extra work at the start, you'll reap the benefits as your project progresses.

4. Demolishing and Removing the Old Kitchen

When the old kitchen needs to make way for the new, the first step is demolition (See above).

This critical undertaking, often overlooked in the excitement of dream designs and shiny new appliances, can be quite the challenge.

However, with the appropriate preparation and care, it can be accomplished effectively, allowing for a smooth transition to your new kitchen setup.

As you gear up to dismantle the old kitchen layout, it is important to keep several factors in mind.

From safety precautions to ensuring minimal disruption to your daily routine, here are some useful tips for kitchen removal:

Plan Your Meals:

Before you commence with the kitchen removal, it's key to have a plan in place for meals during the install phase. If you can afford to, ordering takeaways or planning to eat out for a bit is a decent option.

However, if you prefer home-cooked meals, consider setting up a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the house.

This could simply feature a small table with a hotplate and a mini-fridge; just enough to cater for simple meals.

Safety First

Always wear sturdy work boots and gloves to avoid injury during the process.

If you are removing cabinets or other structural elements, make sure to have supports in place.

Eco-Friendly Disposal

Don't just throw out the old kitchen materials. If parts can be salvaged, consider donating or selling them.

Alternatively, check for local recycling centres where you can dispose of the material in an eco-friendly manner.

Documentation

Always document the original condition of the space and the process of kitchen removal. This can serve as a reference if any disputes arise if dealing with a landlord or property manager.

Remember: Good planning and patience during the kitchen removal process will make the installation phase more manageable and potentially less stressful.

Lastly, be prepared for hiccups. Even with a well-thought-out plan, surprises can spring up. Perhaps some wiring isn't as expected, or the plumbing is more complex than anticipated.

Keep a cool head and approach these challenges methodically, knowing that you're on your way to your dream kitchen.

5. Installing the Kitchen Cabinets

Let's dive straight into the wealth of knowledge we have available for you on installing kitchen cabinets.

Each of these links will guide you to detailed articles providing step-by-step guidance on each aspect of kitchen cabinet installation.

(5.a) Kitchen Base Units

To start with, the installation of kitchen begins with base units. These are the cupboards and drawers that rest on the floor.

It's of paramount importance to ensure your base units are level as they form the foundation for the rest of the kitchen.

See how to How to Level a single kitchen base unit & How to level a group of kitchen base units

For detailed instructions on these processes, you can refer to following guides:

Installing Standard Base Units - This guide provides detailed steps on how to level and firmly secure the base units of your kitchen. This includes Highline and Drawerline units.

Installing Drawer Base Units - Comprehensive manual on fixing cupboards to the walls, ensuring they are level and stable. See How to remove kitchen drawers from the unit

Installing a Single Oven Housing Base Unit - Learn how to precisely fix the drawers, ensuring they slide in and out smoothly and are securely attached to the base units.
Installing a Feature End Base Unit - Including Open end units, curved ends and wine racks.

Remember, ensuring everything is level is key, as anything that’s off could affect the overall appearance and functionality of your kitchen.

(5.b) Sink Base Units

Corner units, sometimes referred to as carousel units, can optimise the use of space in your kitchen. They require accurate measurements to fit perfectly without breaking stride of the kitchen design.