Freestanding Cabinets 01

Kitchen And Bathroom Renovation : Freestanding Cabinets 01

Recently, some large retailers and catalog sellers have introduced another kitchen cabinetry option that’s fairly new to North America but has been around for a long time in Europe: the freestanding cabinet. Boasting a contemporary appearance and ease of installation, these cabinets have the added benefits of portability and interchangeability (sink base cabinets being a notable exception). Most freestanding bases come in an assortment of materials, colors, and sizes with matching upper cabinets. The upper cabinets are hung non-traditionally, usually mounting directly onto a rail that is attached to the wall and can also support shelves and organizer bins.

Freestanding cabinets, like their permanently installed counterparts, are usually shipped and sold in flat packs. Because they are ready to assemble (RTA), you won’t get out of work completely by choosing freestanding cabinets. You will have the additional step of assembling the cabinets before installing them. It is best to start your assembly with a basic, small cabinet. That way, you can get the knack of the process without wrestling with large pieces. Installing a freestanding kitchen cabinet system is similar to most other wall cabinet installations. You need to begin with level wall surfaces.

The cabinets are hung on a suspension rail and then bolted to this bar. The bolts, in the upper inside corners of the cabinets, are then covered with plastic caps. If you install the suspension rail properly, this type of installation ensures that your cabinets will be level. If you add toe-kick panels to your base cabinets, they will be virtually indistinguishable from fully installed base cabinets. Or, you can create a European look by installing attractive legs and leaving the toe-kick covers off. When opting for this look, cut the ledger board 5" to 6" short, and install a third leg on the exposed end cabinets so the ledger board will not be visible. When creating an island with base cabinets, you must attach the legs to the floor to prevent movement. A sink base cabinet also must be secured to prevent movement.

Freestanding base cabinets really have more in common with furniture—including ease of installation—than cabinetry, but they serve the same important function as fully installed cabinets.