Aligning your upper and lower kitchen cabinets can make a huge difference in the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your kitchen. While it’s not absolutely necessary for the upper and lower cabinets to line up perfectly, it is generally recommended – here’s what you need to know about aligning kitchen cabinets.
What Does It Mean For Cabinets To “Line Up”?
When we say kitchen cabinets should “line up”, we mean that the front face of the upper cabinets should be flush with the front face of the lower cabinets. So if you drew a vertical line from the front of the uppers down to the lowers, it would be a continuous straight line with no offset.
This gives the kitchen a smooth, streamlined look and feels much more visually harmonious than having the cabinet fronts misaligned. It also makes the kitchen feel more spacious and orderly.
Should Upper And Lower Cabinets Line Up?
While having flush cabinet fronts is not strictly required, it is highly recommended for a few reasons:
Aesthetics
Lining up the upper and lower cabinet fronts creates a more appealing, upscale look. The eye flows smoothly across the cabinetry with no interruption. Conversely, misaligned cabinets look disjointed and can make a kitchen seem smaller.
Functionality
Aligned cabinet fronts provide some practical benefits as well. For example, lining up the fronts makes it easier to install crown molding evenly across both sets of cabinets. Appliances and countertops also tend to fit together better when cabinet fronts are even.
Resale Value
In the event you sell your home, aligned kitchen cabinets are definitely more desirable. They make the space look well-designed and professionally finished.
So while it’s not absolutely necessary, straight, flush cabinet fronts should be the goal.
How To Line Up Kitchen Cabinets
If your upper and lower cabinets are misaligned, all is not lost! Here are some tips for getting them flush:
Adjust Hinges
If the cabinets are just slightly askew, you may be able to realign them by adjusting the door hinges. Many modern hinges allow you to tweak alignment along both horizontal and vertical axes.
Use Filler Strips
For more dramatic alignment issues, filler strips can help fill gaps between mismatched cabinet fronts. The strips can be cut to size and secured with finishing nails, screws or adhesive. Use wood putty to conceal fasteners and match the filler color to your cabinets.
Rehang Cabinets Properly
In severe cases, the simplest solution is to remove the cabinets and rehang them properly. Using a level as your guide, adjust each cabinet’s height as needed to form an even front line. Shim cabinets if necessary to plumb verticals and make fronts flush.
Add Molding
If you can’t adjust the cabinets themselves, consider adding trim molding along the tops of the bottom cabinets to visually bridge any gaps between the two levels. The idea is to create the illusion of continuous lines.
Tips For Aligning Cabinets
Follow these tips for ensuring your new upper and lower cabinets align properly:
- Use a laser level as your guide for mounting cabinets at the correct height.
- Verify cabinets are plumb before securing to help align vertical fronts.
- Make sure wall surfaces and cabinet bases are flat and even. Shim as needed.
- Use wood filler strips between cabinets and walls to plumb and align fronts.
- Continually measure for flush fronts as you install cabinets one by one.
Do Wall Cabinets Also Need To Line Up?
In addition to your base cabinets lining up, it’s also important for wall cabinets to align evenly as well. Just like the upper and lower cabinet fronts, all of your wall cabinets should form a straight, consistent line across the top of the kitchen.
To achieve this:
- Mount a ledger board to rest wall cabinets on for proper positioning.
- Use a laser level to mark accurate heights for each cabinet.
- Shim between cabinets as needed to make fronts flush with no gaps.
- Fill gaps with wood strips and seal edges with caulk for a seamless line.
Styles Where Cabinet Alignment Matters Less
While lining up kitchen cabinets is generally recommended, there are some styles where alignment matters a bit less:
Contemporary Kitchens
The clean lines of contemporary kitchens still look better with aligned cabinets. But small gaps are more acceptable within this minimalist aesthetic.
Unfitted Kitchens
In unfitted modular kitchen designs, cabinet fronts are not always designed to align perfectly. The varied fronts are part of the style’s charm.
Rustic Kitchens
A little unevenness in cabinet lines fits right into the casual, handcrafted look of rustic kitchens. But you still want major gaps avoided.
FAQ About Aligning Kitchen Cabinets
Should I remove existing cabinets to align them?
In most cases, no. Adjusting hinges, using shims and filler strips is preferable to a full tear-out. Only remove cabinets if realignment proves impossible otherwise.
How much of a gap is acceptable between cabinets?
Ideally gaps should be 1/8 inch or less. Up to 1/4 inch can work if necessary, but larger gaps will look misaligned.
My countertop overhangs the cabinets – now what?
You can add a decorative trim piece along the bottom edge of the upper cabinets to extend them closer to the countertop surface.
I have a gap between my stove and cabinets – help!
Use side panels secured to the cabinets on either side of the stove. Or install a backsplash that extends all the way down to the countertop behind the stove to camouflage the gap.
Should I shim out from the wall rather than into the gap between cabinets?
Yes, shimming out from the wall is best to avoid compromising the cabinet boxes. Use tapered wood shims and wood filler for the cleanest results.
Conclusion
While not absolutely essential, lining up your upper and lower kitchen cabinets makes for a much more pleasing, upscale look. Flush cabinet fronts also improve functionality in terms of easier installations and better appliance fits.
Focus on making subtle alignment adjustments to hinges, using filler strips and shims judiciously. But if cabinets are severely out of alignment, don’t be afraid to rehang them completely to get fronts perfectly flush. Taking the time to line up cabinets will make a huge difference in your finished kitchen’s appearance.