How to hang kitchen wall units

Designed to make the most of the space in your kitchen, wall units can be mounted above worktops, sinks and hobs. The size, material, colour and finish of your cabinets should be chosen to match the style of your kitchen.

Steps

1. Preparing the kitchen

2. Taking measurements and marking out the units

3. Installing the furniture brackets

4. Hanging the wall units

Kitchen wall units should only be installed once the base cabinets have already been put in place. In order to reach the height at which you plan to install the units, you will probably have to climb on top of the base units and/or use a stepladder. 

Place cardboard over the countertops to protect them, making sure to mark out the sink and any other spots you don't want to stand on – the hob in particular!

You might also want to protect your splashback or tiles with a tarp. Be sure to cover up your kitchen floor, too.

You will need to mark out several lines on the wall.

• Start by marking out where the top of the unit will go. To do this, either refer to the assembly instructions provided or calculate the desired height by adding the distance between the top of your base units and the bottom of your unit to the overall height of the unit. Once you've done this, use a spirit level and straight edge to draw out the first line.

• Next, carefully measure the distance between the top of the unit and the brackets.

• Use your measurement to mark a second line just beneath the first.

At this point in the process, you should have two lines on your wall one just below the other: the first to indicate the top of the unit and the other where the unit will be secured.

• Now that everything is measured out and marked on the wall, you will need to fit your brackets.

• If the kit came with a track, line it up with the bottom line and use it to mark out where you will need to drill the holes.

• If the kit came with individual brackets, measure the distance between each of the fixings on the back of the unit and mark out this distance on the bottom line. This will indicate where to drill the holes for each bracket.

• Depending on the surface, use a drill or hammer drill to make your holes in the wall then insert the appropriate plugs. You can then screw in your brackets.

Wall units usually come with a special fixing system with two screws: one to adjust the level of the unit and one to tighten the assembly. Unscrew the tightening screw. If your furniture is heavy or bulky, ask someone to help you to set it on the bracket(s).

• Once the unit is in place, tighten the screw but do not to tighten it all the way just yet. Loosen or tighten the adjusting screws until the top of the furniture is perfectly aligned with the first line you marked out.

• Check that the unit is level using a spirit level.

• Once all of the kitchen units are lined up and level, tighten the screws fully.

Required skills

In order to fit your kitchen wall units, you will have to know how to take accurate measurements, choose the right fixings, and be able to use a spirit level and drill. As these units are often delivered in flatpack kits, you'll also have to be able to assemble the units.

Required time

Around 2 hours, depending on the size of the units.

Number of people required

1 to 2 people depending on the volume and weight of the furniture.

Tools and equipment

• Kitchen wall units and hardware (including brackets or track);

• Wall plugs and screws;

• A tape measure;

• A pencil;

• A ruler;

• A spirit level;

• A drill or hammer drill and drill bits;

• Screwdriver bits;

• A mallet;

• A stepladder;

• A set of Phillips screwdrivers.

• Fitted kitchen buying guide

• Kitchen sink accessories buying guide