DIY kitchen: drawing up a project, step-by-step assembly process

The kitchen wall is a universal set of devices for processing and preparing food. Despite the external differences between different models, the functionality comes down to the mandatory presence of two tiers of cabinets, a cutting surface, a hob and a sink. It is customary to invite craftsmen to install a kitchen wall, but even manufacturers have provided options for self-assembly. It is easiest to collect linear options, as well as plan the space in them. However, difficulties will appear at every stage of the work, no matter who assembles the wall - the owner or the repairman. This applies to communications and planning sections for built-in equipment. The whole process consists of many stages, during which it is important not to violate the exact sequence of actions. In general, assembling and installing a kitchen involves sawing and fastening parts.

Features of self-assembly and installation

The rules for assembling a headset depend on its configuration. If it is corner, then the process starts from the corner. The linear version must be assembled from the section that will rest against the wall. It is better to assemble cabinets together. It is not recommended to install all elements at once. In this case, in the intervals between assemblies, you need to install ready-made modules. This measure prevents the space from being overfilled. It is customary to leave half a centimeter between the wall and the tabletop.

Guides for retractable sections are attached to the inner surfaces of the sidewalls before assembling the module. The upper elements should not be installed already with doors, as they will interfere. Installation of a kitchen wall can be carried out according to 2 algorithms. Some experts argue that it is more convenient to fasten the top row first, while others believe that this will make it more difficult to calculate the required distances.

Recommended installation distances:

• the minimum height of the shelves above the bottom is 45 cm;
• optimal - 90 cm;
• maximum - 105 cm.

DIY kitchen design

The production of a kitchen set begins with a project. The project requires the overall dimensions of the place where it will be installed. After which you can begin to select the component elements.

Fig.1.

Drawing of a kitchen set with dimensions.

The kitchen set consists of drawers that can have different contents, from shelves to pull-out baskets. For compartments in both the upper and lower rows, standard width sizes are established, starting from 15 cm to 100 cm, in increments of 5 cm, i.e. 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 cm, etc. You need to know them for design.

When preparing a project, you should be guided by standard dimensions, because... All accessories are manufactured taking them into account.

When determining the layout, you should take into account that the standard height of the bottom row drawers is 72 cm, the top ones can be 60, 72 or 90 cm. The depth of the bottom row is 55 cm, the top row is 30 cm.

Of course, when making a kitchen set with your own hands, you can set arbitrary sizes, but then you will have to abandon ready-made kitchen components (for example, the facade), and make all the elements individually.

If standard drawers do not fill the entire space allocated for the kitchen, then in the remaining space they make either shelves according to individual sizes.

The corner kitchen set has a distinctive feature. A corner kitchen cabinet can have several options: straight (Fig. 2) and with an angle of 135 degrees (Fig. 3). The same feature applies to the top row (Fig. 4).

Fig.2.

Straight corner kitchen cabinet drawing. Bottom row.

Fig.3.

Kitchen corner cabinet drawing. With an angle of 135 degrees.

Fig.4.

Corner wall kitchen cabinet drawing.

A corner cabinet for a sink (see drawing above) is often used if the space of the room allows it; for small kitchens, a straight cabinet. Thus, a rectangular or round sink is installed in a straight line, and a corner or round one in a corner.

When preparing a kitchen furniture project, you should follow the following recommendations:

• The space for installing the slab should be equal to the width of the slab itself, usually 50, 60 cm.
• For a built-in stove, the cabinet must be 60 cm wide and at least 55 cm deep. The same applies for the oven.
• The space for the hood should be 60 cm for built-in and 90 for other types.
• The distance between the hood and the stove must be at least 70 cm. The height of the cabinet for a built-in hood must be 30 cm less than the others.
• The space under the refrigerator must be at least 60 cm.
• Roll-out baskets are installed in standard-sized kitchen cabinets only.

Stages of assembling a kitchen set

It is worth highlighting the following main steps:

1. Preparing tools.
2. Assembly of cabinets and cabinets.
3. Bottom row wall mounting.
4. Installation of countertops, sinks and hobs.
5. Attaching wall cabinets.
6. Installation of doors, as well as baseboards and decorative elements.
7. Organization of local lighting.

Installing a kitchen wall is a process with a lot of manipulation. The assembly looks quite monotonous, but at this moment it is necessary to take into account many nuances. The main ones are the size of the sections and their purpose, which mutually affect each other, as well as the type of opening. Once the modules have been assembled, it is time for installation. If the person collecting does not have professional skills, then it is better to place the bottom row first. The doors can be attached immediately or after installing the hanging tier. The top row is attached either to a guide (rail) or to hinges.

The first method can be described as simpler. The second allows you to save money. It is important to choose the correct height for wall cabinets, as well as make informed decisions regarding the installation of communications and kitchen appliances - the comfort and efficiency of work in the kitchen depends on this.

Required materials and tools

You will need a lot of equipment, ranging from power tools to fasteners. Firstly, this is a hammer drill with 6 and 8 mm drills, a screwdriver, a drill, as well as an adapter and drills for it. To work with the tabletop you will need a hacksaw or jigsaw. You should get a hex wrench, pliers, hammer, tape measure, level and square.

You will need to prepare a large number of fasteners. Anchor bolts, dowels and angles are usually included in the package. You will need to purchase self-tapping screws, namely 70 mm for wall cabinets and 15-16 mm for fittings. Other elements that need to be purchased: ties for fastening the modules, silicone sealant, fastening rail for hanging, euroscrews (confirmations), furniture nails. It is recommended to purchase dowel conductors.

Assembly of floor cabinets and wall cabinets

It is better to start assembling kitchen furniture from the bottom tier. First, we fasten the bottom with the side surfaces with confirmations. Next we place the top strips. The diagonals of the lockers are checked with a tape measure. The normal mismatch is up to 3 mm. If everything is normal, then proceed to the next step. The relatively thin back wall is secured with small nails or a staple gun. The step between them is no more than 1 cm. We mount the legs on the bottom of the cabinets, securing them with self-tapping screws. We install hinges in the pre-made holes. We attach the lower sections to them. All that remains is to align the doors and install the handles.

Then comes the turn of the top row of furniture. It is mounted in a similar way, but there are some differences. Adjustable canopies are needed in the upper corners. We provide cutouts at the back for them. Drawers are not installed in upper cabinets.

Features of assembling cabinets with drawers

The walls are assembled in the same way as cabinets with shelves - they are fastened with screws. The three surfaces are assembled, and a sheet of fiberboard is placed in the bottom. Then the front of the box is secured using an eccentric tie. To fix the latter, you need to screw the screw into the front surface, and then insert the side with the cap into the hole in the side wall. There is a large hole on the side elements for a bushing. You need to insert it there and turn it to grab the screw head. She will go to the side.

Then the roller guides are screwed at the bottom of the bedside table. The roller on the drawer rail should be located at the back, and on the corresponding element of the bedside table - at the front. To complete the assembly, you will need to insert the guides into each other - this is done at an angle. When assembling a combined cabinet yourself, the first task is to correctly install the guides.

How to assemble cabinets for built-in appliances

Installation of built-in equipment causes certain difficulties, but it is now more relevant. Dimensions must match to complete installation tasks. This is possible thanks to standardization. In addition, sections for such household appliances should not be equipped with doors. No protrusions, curvature or sloppy assembly is acceptable.

For built-in ovens, a niche size on the front side of 60×60 cm is provided. In cross-section, the ovens have parameters of 59.4×59.4 or 59.5×59.5 cm. The gap will remain 0.5-0.6 cm. Minimum The depth of the furniture should be 55 cm. For building in microwave ovens, the same principle works, but with different parameters. The standard niche width, however, is the same 60 cm. The section height should be selected from 380-382 mm and below, depending on the model. The optimal depth is 320 mm. You also need to use the individual installation diagram, which is available with the kit.

Installation of the lower tier headset

To conveniently calculate distances, you first need to install the lower bedside tables. Work must be carried out from the corner of the room. If you plan to occupy the entire length of the wall with the lower tier, you need to start from the side surface that is shorter. The legs/wheels of the cabinets must be adjustable. If the kitchen wall is installed on a floor with an uneven surface, you will need adjustable legs within 12-17 centimeters. You will need to draw markings on the wall. It is recommended to set the height so that there is a gap of at least 10 cm between the base and the floor. The gaps between individual furniture elements are kept to a minimum.

All cabinets are installed and height adjustable. Adjacent cabinets are tightened with a clamp and a furniture tie. In the bottom row you will need to make recesses and holes for gas and sewer pipes and electrical appliance wires.

Other nuances:

1. In small kitchens, it is justified to create drawers instead of plinths.
2. For correct installation of the tabletop, the planes of all bedside tables must be checked with a level.

Fastening the table top

After installing the lower cabinets, it’s time for the tabletop. The first step is to cut a hole in it for the washbasin. To do this, the tabletop must be placed in the same way as it will be located after installation. The space for the sink is marked with a pencil. It is necessary to work along this line with a jigsaw. The cut is treated with sealant. As a rule, the countertop also requires openings for communications (pipes, hoses) and the hob. After completing the associated work steps, you can attach the cover.

One of the methods is using furniture corners on the walls of the cabinets. The table top is then leveled. If the lid consists of several parts, then the fastening between them is formed with metal strips. First, they are cut with a hacksaw to the width of the lid. Then one of the surfaces of the first strip is lubricated with sealant. It is attached to the cut of the tabletop with screws. Then they lubricate the back side and attach it to the other part of the lid. When the tabletop is ready, it is installed: screws are screwed into the furniture corners.

Sink installation

First you need to choose the best sink and faucet option. The most convenient ratio is considered to be a deep sink and a relatively low faucet - then there will be little splashing. Among the materials used, preference is often given to stainless or enameled steel. Only after taking into account these nuances can you begin installation.

For installation you will need fasteners (usually included in the kit), a jigsaw, screwdrivers, self-tapping screws and sealant for processing the sink seats. During the work, communications are first carried out and the mixer is connected. To attach the sink you need 4-5 L-shaped elements. They are applied to the inside of the cabinet. Then marks are made and screws are screwed onto them. There should be at least 5 mm above the marks. Next, the cutout is covered with a sealant that will hold the sink in place and protect the furniture. After this, the washbasin is installed on the screws and moved until it is perfectly fixed. At the end, the parts are secured.

Installing the hob

The most important stage of work is marking. First, the inner boundaries of the cabinet under the hob are transferred to the countertop. Then, by laying diagonals, the center is found. It will help you make more accurate calculations. The parameters of the embedded part of the weld are deposited on the surface with a small margin for centering. Then you should drill a hole with a drill for working with a file (jigsaw). Cutting should be done on a stand.

When the opening is ready, it’s time for waterproofing. Just before installation, a few more steps are taken. First, a gas hose is connected to the panel. Then sealing tape is used. It is glued in one piece. The two free ends are joined as tightly as possible. Then the hob itself is installed. It is immediately centered to lie as symmetrically as possible. After this, you need to attach the plates in the cabinet in all four corners so that the hob fits tightly to the surface.

Methods for attaching the hanging tier of the headset

The two main methods of fastening are on furniture hinges and on a rail (mounting strip). In the process of installing the “second floor” of the kitchen wall, the most important issue is the height of the hanging sections. The decision is made based on indicators such as ceiling heights and cabinet sizes. Between the tabletop and the bottom of the upper tier there is usually enough space of 50-60 cm. However, the growth of family members is also important. If the housewife is short, then 45 cm to the top cabinet is the best option. Making the gap even smaller is not recommended.

It is permissible to install boxes with an error of up to 10 mm, provided that a special rail is used. If installation is carried out on a plasterboard wall, you will need to use butterfly dowels. It is also possible to install timber under the gypsum board sheet at the location where the box is attached. If the kitchen wall has an angular shape, installation is done first on one wall and then on the other.

When hanging the upper tiers, a 3mm gap around the perimeter must be maintained.

Tire mount

It is much easier to attach the sections to the tire. With this fixation method, a mounting strip is used. One part of it is fixed to the wall, and the other to the wall drawers. The fastening is based on a hook-and-groove system, which ensures reliable fixation. To hang a cabinet in this way, the work of one person is enough. The rail is installed along a horizontal mark on the wall. After this, you can start assembling the case on the floor. Instead of hinges, hinges are attached to the furniture. In the process you will need to make small holes in the back surface for the mounting hooks. Sections treated with this method can be immediately mounted on a mounting rail. The position of the body is regulated by special screws in the body of the hinges themselves. They make it possible to move the modular structure to the right, left, and also a few millimeters from the load-bearing wall, if there is already a thick kitchen apron below.

Fastening to furniture hinges

A more common installation method is to mount it on furniture hinges: after hanging there should be no gap left between the wall and the back wall of the furniture. This fixation method is best used exclusively after installing the lower tier of cabinets. In the process, you will need to draw the vertical parameters of the modules on the wall, using a level. One of the cabinets must be attached to the wall at a certain height to mark the hanging point through the eyelet.

Next, using a level, a line is drawn from this place along the perimeter at the locations of the headset elements. Using a tape measure, the gap between the centers of the suspensions is determined. The result is transferred to the wall horizontally between 2 vertical lines of parameters of the lower modules. In these places, holes are drilled, dowels are driven in and self-tapping screws are screwed in. The modules are attached to them, and after that all that remains is to equip them with shelves and screw the doors. These works require the participation of two people, because one person cannot cope with the mass of the structure.

Due to the high price of modern fastening slats, many furniture sets use ready-made hinges.

Door fastening

At the very beginning, cross-shaped plates are screwed to the inner walls of the modules. After installing the sections on the wall and installing shelves in them, you can start attaching the doors. Hinges are placed in the round recesses on the doors. They are secured with self-tapping screws. Then each door is attached to the cabinet so that the fastenings fall on the cross-shaped parts. The hinges are connected to these parts, the bolts are tightened. The door must be closed to check the position. If it “moves” upward or, as is more often the case, downward, adjustment is needed using 2 bolts on the connection. In order to initially secure everything normally, it is recommended to hold the door firmly with one hand and use the other to tighten the fastener with a power tool. The procedure is repeated with the remaining modules. In addition to the usual inset loops, you can use some other varieties:

• invoices;
• semi-overhead.

Installation of skirting boards

After installing the elements of the headset, gaps remain between its surfaces and the wall. The void must be closed to prevent water and food fragments from entering. The gap near the table top is sealed using a thin plastic plinth. Its lower part is attached to the wall with self-tapping screws, and a decorative element (the plinth itself) is placed on top. There is a groove in the design of the guide into which the upper element should fit, snapping into place like a lock. There are seals on the end parts of the plinth. They are easy to cut for subsequent installation of additional elements. These ends are decorated with furniture plugs and corners. These devices are designed to protect against the accumulation of crumbs and dirt. The whole structure is an excellent sealant; it can be attached even to uneven walls. Hidden wiring can be installed inside the baseboard.

Backlight headset

There are two main methods of lighting in the kitchen, in addition to central lighting. These are spotlights and strips up to several meters long. The first option involves installation at the top of the headset. Spot lights have worked well, but installing strips directly on the apron of the work surface improves the illumination many times over.

Modern furniture sets are also equipped with internal lighting. In this case, the necessary things are found much faster. A good option for arranging a kitchen unit is LED lighting. It can last for more than ten years when used for 15 hours a day. LED strips can have different emission angles, which is very convenient for the kitchen. In addition, LED lighting is relatively inexpensive. When placing lighting fixtures, you should plan everything carefully, otherwise repairs or replacement of parts of the set may be required.

Required Tools

Before actual assembly, it is necessary to carry out certain preparatory work. They consist of several actions:

• tools are prepared, and it is important to make sure that they are in working condition. To work you will need a screwdriver and an electric jigsaw, a drill, a hex screwdriver, a hammer drill, a tape measure, a hydraulic level and various small tools that are available to almost every man who prefers to do various housework on his own;
• a direct kitchen set is selected and purchased. As soon as it arrives home, you should check it to make sure that there are no defects or defects, as some parts of the structure will have to be replaced if necessary;
• carefully study the instructions for assembling kitchen furniture supplied with the set in order to determine the main stages and features of the planned work;
• the kitchen is freed from all unnecessary elements so that the kitchen assembly procedure is carried out easily.

During the work process, there is a high probability of causing damage to the existing floor covering, so it is recommended to cover it in advance with some kind of protective cloth.

Assembly features of the corner set

To assemble a corner cabinet, the space in the kitchen must be freed up as much as possible. The peculiarity of the corner configuration is reflected in the fact that inexpensive headsets are made with a composite bottom to reduce costs. In a case with a wash area, there is practically no back surface. At the same time, there are ties to add rigidity to the structure. During assembly, the canopy parts are screwed onto the panel, which is the corner base of the food preparation area. The slides are attached to the side surfaces with self-tapping screws. Dowels are inserted into the “factory” holes. They should be lubricated with wood glue for strength.

To assemble the module correctly, first take the bottom and, after attaching it with supports, connect it to the sides. A corner tabletop can consist of several parts. At the joints they are all protected with a metal profile. An important point is the choice of location for the sink. With this configuration, it is undesirable to do it in the very corner; it is better to place a section for the trash can there.

Lower tier cabinet with door

First of all, the selected parts of the future cabinet are laid out on a clean and dry surface of a sheet of chipboard or plywood laid on the floor. An example of such a kitchen set assembly is shown in the video.

Assembly operations are performed virtually on the floor, that is, the kitchen cabinet is laid on the back side and assembled from start to finish, remaining in a horizontal position. This is why it is important that the base of the floor is perfectly flat.

The cabinet is assembled in the following order:

• From the unpacked kit, select the panel with two milled holes for the cabinet. This is a door, and the holes are made as sockets for installing door hinges;

• We install the hinges, level and fix the canopies using self-tapping screws. Next, we attach the door to the wall and transfer the markings of the canopies onto it. We are not attaching the door itself yet; you just need to install the canopy's counterparts on the cabinet wall using the markings;
• Next, we install wooden dowels in the holes of all four walls, and connect the panels into one body of the future cabinet. If there are no comments on the quality of the joining, you can disassemble and install the dowels with glue, preferably PVA or any polyurethane compound;
• While the glue dries, the body is turned over and, using a carpenter's corner, leveled so that all angles are 90°, after which a thin back wall made of DFP or plywood is stuffed onto the back side.

Once the glue has dried, you can install and secure the cabinet front door. Furniture canopies are pre-aligned and adjusted so that the side end of the door is in line with the cabinet wall.

The final part of the assembly and installation of any element of kitchen furniture is the installation or tightening of furniture screws. It is enough to mark the installation point, drill it with a thin drill to a depth of ¾ of the length of the fastener and screw the self-tapping screw into the end of the wall using a screwdriver with a hexagon installed.

All cabinets with doors are assembled in a similar way, regardless of which tier of the kitchen set they belong to. The only difference is that plastic legs or racks need to be installed on the cabinets of the lower tier, and steel hanging hinges are attached to the back of the wall cabinets of the upper row.

Advice! If possible, it would be a good idea to purchase one set of furniture canopies in stock. As a rule, standard hinges are enough for 3-5 years of intensive use of the cabinet.

Errors and issues to consider during installation

One of the mistakes is to start assembly with large parts. A beginner should install small elements first and then move on to larger ones. It happens that the owner incorrectly calculates the height of the tabletop, forgetting about adjusting the legs and the floor covering, and the tabletop rests on the window sill. If this happens, part of it can be cut off. It also happens that power tools are used to assemble MDF elements. This is unnecessary because the fasteners are easily screwed into the sheets with a screwdriver.

Sometimes problems arise with the surfaces of the room. A fragile plasterboard wall can be partially dismantled and reinforced with timber. An uneven floor can also lead to difficulties, primarily in calculating the height of the tabletop and the distance to the top row, as well as creating unevenness. The problem is solved with the help of adjustable legs. Other important aspects:

1. It is necessary to provide access to gas pipes in order to shut off the gas supply in case of emergency, as well as to meters to monitor indicators.
2. Often, owners do not attach importance to the reliability of fastening the rear wall. If it lags behind the headset, it will cause a lot of inconvenience, and it is very difficult to correct such a defect.

How to make your own kitchen from chipboard

It is easiest to make a kitchen with your own hands from chipboard, since this material can be called traditional for such furniture. Laminated chipboard, abbreviated as laminated chipboard, is used with a thickness of 16 mm. All elements except the tabletop and apron are made from chipboard.

The facades of kitchen units are made from laminated chipboard, from chipboard covered with plastic (postforming technology), and from MDF.

The back wall of the cabinets is made of fiberboard or laminated fiberboard, 4.6 mm thick.

The countertop of the kitchen set is made using postforming technology. It can be 28.32 and 38(40) mm thick.

How to build a kitchen with your own hands? Three approaches can be distinguished. The first is to make all the parts yourself from laminated chipboards, the second is to make them to order, the third is to buy ready-made elements and assemble kitchen furniture from them. Ready-made cabinets can be purchased in stores such as IKEA, Leroy Merlin, etc.

The most economical and moderately complex option is when you do the detailing of the kitchen cabinets yourself and all the elements are made to order, after which the assembly is done by yourself. The advantage of this method is that you can make parts to individual sizes and at the same time save a lot of money.

To order parts, you need to draw a kitchen and determine all the dimensions, as well as the need for edging material and the presence of mounting holes.

Kitchen cutting is carried out based on the following considerations. The dimensions of the side walls of the cabinets are the height and depth of the cabinet. Dimensions of the bottom and lid: width equal to the width of the cabinet minus 32 mm, height equal to its depth.

The edge is made of plastic with a thickness of 0.4 and 2 mm. It is necessary to protect the ends of the laminated chipboard from moisture and mechanical damage. It is advisable to glue it on all ends of the parts. To save money, edging tape may not be used on invisible ends.

Ready-made holes for fasteners (additive) greatly facilitate, but introduce additional costs for the manufacture of parts. If saving is not your first priority, then before cutting the kitchen you need to prepare drawings of kitchen cabinets with details.

The tabletop and façade, as well as the drawers, can be made to order or purchased ready-made.