Here's a compilation of fitting a kitchen DIY projects that you can do yourself to save money, because a kitchen installation isn't cheap when hiring out. You'll also find tips on repairs, how to update a kitchen with a lick of paint and other small kitchen ideas.
Note that 99% of these projects have videos to follow along on my Youtube channel, The Carpenter's Daughter.
When I got my first kitchen fittings quote from Wickes many years ago, I was shocked. In 2015, the bottom end of a kitchen installation cost, including the units and electrics was £9950.
But, I'll admit, their fitted kitchen planner who came to measure up and provide a list of units proved extremely useful. That isn't to say it was perfect. These people can still mismeasure where we needed to alter a cabinet.
And I have friends who've also used B&Q and they've planned things wrong, too and my Dad, a carpenter had to fix things. But once you have your plan, you can infact, do most of the work yourself and it's very satisfying. So, I'm going to share my personal fitting a kitchen tips.
Can I Install a Kitchen Myself?
Firstly, a new kitchen fitting cost significantly outweighs a DIY kitchen, which I found when I spent £610 to install a corner utility kitchen on my own. Note, this obviously doesn't include prices for kitchen appliances.
Also, you will need to check with your local planning officer as to where you plan to fit a kitchen as it varies from council to council. There's also rules as to where to fit sockets, but replacing like for like should be ok.
But in my list, you'll topics kitchen projects that I've completed myself, such as:
- Building and fitting kitchen cabinets
- Cutting and fitting kitchen worktops without a jig
- How to cut a quartz worktop
- Fitting a kitchen worktop edging strip or corner join strip
- Installing a kitchen sink
- Fitting a kitchen tap (mono mixer as opposed to two taps)
- How to use kitchen sink fittings to anchor it to a worktop
- How to install kitchen sink waste fittings and
- Install a kitchen sink drain
- Installing an oven in a cabinet
- Fitting a dishwasher or washing machine with Speedfit plumbing
- How to repair loose screws on kitchen hinges
- Fitting kitchen tiles and much more!
Where Do You Start When Fitting a Kitchen?
Firstly, you'll need to plan your kitchen zones methodically and make it user friendly. It's often said that a kitchen work triangle is ideal so your fridge, oven and sink are all within workable proximity. Although many UK kitchens are smaller with this already the case.
Note, you'll need to take measurements and find a list of kitchen cabinet sizes, etc. A top tip when fitting kitchen corner base units, you'll usually need to sacrifice about 125mm off the wall.
If you're planning on ripping an old kitchen out and completely changing the positions of ovens, hobs, etc, then I recommend that you get an electrician. They can do any additional wiring for new plug sockets or rewiring cables so they have easy access.
The same goes for plumbing before fitting a kitchen as it will be difficult to do once you've fitted kitchen units to a wall. I would then try to first your desired flooring for easy planning and then work your way up to units, worktops, hobs, etc. But a kitchen plinth will hide carpet or floor tiles if done last.
Replacing a Like for Like Kitchen
If you're happy with the position of your kitchen appliances, but your kitchen just looks old, then it will be even easier to replace. You will still need a plumber to disconnect gas hobs or an electrician if you want to swap for an induction hob.
But ripping out old units and worktops for new ones is even easier for couples that only do DIY on weekends. Infact, you may only need to replace your kitchen cupboard doors and worktops.
Painting Kitchen Doors
If you simply want to update kitchen cupboard doors on a budget, then painting with something like Valspar cabinet paint can drastically transform it.
If using Annie Sloan or homemade chalk paint, then I would only ever use varnish to seal. A clear wax finish is not strong enough when it comes into contact with water.
This how to paint a door offers lots of tips, such as what paintbrush, undercoat and paint to use, without brush marks, etc.
Restoring Old Kitchen Cupboard Doors
If you have oak kitchen cupboard doors or worktops, then restoring them is another easy option.
Fablon Kitchen Doors
You can buy a Fablon roll in a variety of colours and patterns to wrap old cabinet doors. But, they must be flat with no chamfered groove details, like shaker kitchen doors.
I do not recommend Fablon for worktops because it needs to be hardwearing. You can cut a worktop with a handsaw and jigsaw for a kitchen sink, which is easy enough. Then get someone to help you with the heavy lifting.
Projects About How to Fit a Kitchen
Fitting a Kitchen - DIY Projects You Can Do Yourself
Here's a compilation of fitting a kitchen DIY projects that you can do yourself to save money because a kitchen installation isn't cheap when hiring out. You'll also find tips on repairs, how to update a kitchen with a lick of paint and other small kitchen ideas.
Note that 99% of these projects have videos to follow along on my Youtube channel, The Carpenter's Daughter.
If you simply need to do some kitchen cupboard door hinge repair works, then here's a good place to start.
I use a hardwearing and quick setting wood filler for strength, which takes half an hour to do. Otherwise, you could use a wooden splint or match where the screw has ripped out or loosened, then screw it back.
If you want to update kitchen cupboard doors without any manual labour, then here's a quick fix with Fablon wrapped doors.
Note, this is where I did just one to match my other white gloss doors. I don't recommend this method on worktops or cupboard doors with grooves.
How to build flat packed kitchen carcasses and fit them to the wall. This includes:
- Cupboards with a kitchen corner post
- How to fix to plasterboard walls
- And more
Cutting a laminate kitchen worktop for beginners with a hand saw. And tips for those using a circular saw.
Once you've cut a hole in your kitchen worktop, you then need to start attaching the plumbing and the sink waste.
How to fit a kitchen sink using fittings and seal before screwing down.
How and where to attach kitchen door handles.
Step by step on fitting a kitchen plinth and in corners (AKA kitchen kickboard). It requires minimal tools and I'll also show you a video guide to follow along.
If your kitchen worktop is taller than a windowsill, then here's a solution. Note, this helps when a window tilts open.
In general, it's a good idea to understand how kitchen hinges work without unscrewing them as featured here.
This fitting and joining two worktops together without the use of a router and jig is the perfect, easy option if you're a novice or beginner.
Some people are quite snobby when it comes to joining strips, saying they look dated or harbor dirt, but that's up for you to decide. I like them and they're less likely to expand when in contact with moisture.
How to tile a kitchen.
A simple tiled kitchen splashback. Note, for a splashback, I recommend a grout that isn't white as it may stain if not sealed.
If you have an awkward wall that isn't plumb, or, say fitting one in a campervan or narrowboat, then this scribing a kitchen cabinet tutorial will help.
Tips on how to install plastic plumbing for water mains.
Here's my step by step on how to install melamine edging tape on J pull handles when you're working on a made to measure kitchen yourself. My method uses contact adhesive for non-iron on edging tape that's around 1mm thick. I'll also show you how to trim edge banding like a pro, which can also be useful for high gloss shelves or any melamine wood.
How to fit honeycomb core quartz worktops.
How to build a kitchen recycling build or bin.
How to fit kitchen end panels at the end or between white goods.
Cuting a hole in a laminate worktop for a kitchen sink.
How to replace and install a built in electric oven (providing it's low wattage).
Installing a pop up socket in a laminate kitchen worktop.
An idea on how to box in a boiler and pipes with this useful blackboard.
Studding an uneven wall before tiling or fitting a kitchen.
How to install laminate flooring.
What to do if your floorboards have water damage and need replacing.
How to plaster and skim a wall after chased cables from electrical work.
Rough plastering for beginners before tiling.
Fitting a kitchen filler piece for gaps.
How to conceal pipes and cove around them.
Fitting a monobloc mixer tap tutorial.
Restoring old appliances to renovate your kitchen.
What to do with leftover kitchen worktops and turn them into a desk.
Fitting kitchen cupboard doors around integrated appliances.
10 practical DIY projects you can make for your kitchen.
Restoring oak with a carbide scraper and oil can be applied to old wooden kitchen doors and worktops.
Creating a new doorway in a kitchen.
Tips on painting kitchen cupboard doors.
Updating plug sockets and switches.
How to decorate your kitchen for the finishing touches.
A quick step by step on how to cut a hole in a kitchen sink when working with stainless steel. Note, this is for a mixer tap which requires one hole. Includes video to follow along.
Here's my step by step on how I worked on replacing a leaking bathroom sink drain on our narrowboat. It includes cleaning up old silicone, lining up a slotted basin waste for an overflow, then sealing with Plumber's Mait.
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