If you’re thinking of renovating your kitchen, then you might have considered taking the cabinets down. The thought can be a little daunting, but it’s not impossible. Here are some steps that will help take down kitchen cabinets and get ready for a new look.
What you Need for the Job
Most kitchen cabinets are installed with a few screws, so you’ll need to have a drill and screwdriver on hand, as well as your hammer for the nails. If you’re taking down Ikea cupboards, then you’ll need an Allen key and a Phillips head screwdriver.
Once you’ve got all your supplies together, it’s time to measure out the height at which the cabinet should be taken down. Take measurements from the floor to where the cabinet is installed and make a small mark in pencil on either side of what will be the new height. Then use some painter’s tape or chalk lines to mark off how far up you want to take the cabinet.
Now it’s time to do some demolition! There are two ways to take down kitchen cabinets: You can use a sledgehammer or just unscrew them. I would recommend using the sledgehammer for Ikea cabinets since they’re sturdier than most pre-fabricated models. Be sure not to put too much pressure on it because you don’t want it landing on someone’s foot! If you’re taking down standard kitchen cupboards, then unscrewing them is an easier option (if only because there will be fewer screws).
You should also have some scrap wood on hand for when you knock down one of your walls. You’ll need this for nailing into place when installing your baseboards and again when reinstalling your shelves after taking them down. The last thing is to
Measure your Cabinets
Before you start, measure the kitchen cabinets. The measurements will come in handy when it comes time to replace them. Make sure to measure both inside and outside dimensions.
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Get your Materials Ready
The first step is to get your materials ready. You’ll need a few things for this project, including a hammer, screwdriver, drill, chisel, and sander. You might also want to purchase some new hardware for your cabinets before you start taking them down if you know that’s what you want to do.
Step 1: The first thing you should do is remove all the doorknobs and hinges on each cabinet. When removing hinges, use a screwdriver to pry up the hinge while pulling on the knob with the other hand. Remove all screws from the hinges.
Step 2: Next, unscrew any nails or bolts that are holding up the cupboards. If there are any screws left in the holes where the nails used to be, make sure to take those out as well.
Step 3: Now it’s time to decide what kind of look you want for your kitchen. If you’re going for a more modern style then remove any baseboard moldings and paint them white or black (depending on what color cabinets you plan on going with). If you’re going for an antique-style kitchen then just leave them be and don’t worry about painting them when they come down.
Takedown the Cabinets
The first step is to take the cabinets down. You’ll need a ladder, a putty knife, and a hammer. Make sure the cupboards are properly supported before you start your project. Putty knives should be used to pry off any molding or trim that is nailed in place. With the cabinets removed, go ahead and remove any nails or screws that remain in the wall.
You’ll want to use a putty knife once again to scrape off any old adhesive from the wall where there was once a cabinet. Wash down the area with soap and water once it’s all dry.
Remove and Dispose of the Cabinet Doors
Depending on the type of doors, you might be able to remove them by unscrewing them from the cabinet or using a saw to cut through the hinges. If you’re unable to pry off the doors, then you’ll need to use a saw.
Disassemble and Dispose of your old Cabinets
The first step in this process is to take down the old cabinets. If you’re not sure where they go, check with your local garbage or recycling company. They’ll be able to provide a list of items that are accepted and recyclable. If you have any old hardware or old cabinet doors, now is the time to remove them as well.
Now that you’ve removed the old cabinets and their hardware, it’s time to prepare for your new cupboards by making a template for installation. You can use this template to mark where you need to drill holes for hinges, locksets, and handles. You may also want to consider adding an outlet near the top of your new cupboards so you will have access to it when the time comes. It can either drill through the wall or create an opening in the front of the cabinet face frame so an electrician can install an outlet box on the other side of the wall.
After marking out all of your new holes on your template, it’s time to install your new cabinets! Remember what order you installed them in (front-to-back) when taking them down? That should help with installation so that you’re putting things back together in order again. It will also help keep your floor cleaner if you avoid walking on glue and sawdust during this stage!
If you’re looking for more guidance about how to take down kitchen cabinets, we recommend watching our video below:
Taking Apart the Cabinet Frames
The first thing you have to do is take the cabinet frames apart. Cabinets are attached to the wall with brackets, and it’s best to remove the brackets from the walls before starting to dismantle the cabinets. To do this, you’ll need a screwdriver and a drill. Remove any screws that are holding the cupboards in place and unscrew the bolts for each bracket that is holding a cabinet up on the wall.
The next step will be removing all of your kitchen appliances, as they might get in your way while taking apart the cupboards. After this, all you have to do is unscrew any nails or screws that are holding pieces of wood together and then remove them one by one, until you’ve taken everything down.
The last step is putting everything back together again! Once you’ve unscrewed everything, simply assemble it in exactly the same order as when you took it apart – being careful not to put anything back in wrong. You should make sure that both doors line up straight before tightening anything like hinges or screws so they don’t stick out at an angle when they’re closed.
Pull out the Nails that are Holding the Cabinets in Place, then Remove them
The first thing you’ll want to do is pull out the nails that are holding the cupboards in place. There will be nails on either side of the cabinet, at the top and bottom. Once they’re pulled out, you can remove them. This will make it easier to lift up and get the cabinets down.
Start Taking Down Cabinets from the Bottom and Work your Way up
Start by taking down it from the bottom and work your way up. To take a cabinet down, simply remove the screws that hold it to the wall with a screwdriver. Once you’ve taken out all of the screws, tap on the backside of the cabinet to dislodge it from the wall.
Once you’ve taken out all of the screws, tap on the backside of the cabinet to dislodge it from the wall, and then just pull it away. Take care when you remove doors and drawers because they might be attached to hinges or drawer slides.
Take care when you remove doors and drawers because they might be attached to hinges or drawer slides.
It’s important to measure before you take down any cupboard so that they’ll fit in their new location. Measurements will also help make sure your new cupboards are as level as possible. When measuring, don’t forget about door clearance, either!
Conclusion
Now that you know how to take down kitchen cabinets, what’s next?
Now that your cabinets are down and gone, you’ve got more room to move around and make your kitchen the way you want it. If you’re thinking about installing new cupboards, now’s the time. And if you’ve been dreaming of a different color or style, now is the time to make those changes. You can do it!
