Fitting a Kitchen Plinth

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.

It's been quite a few months since fitting kitchen plinths in our utility space. And to be honest, the only reason I've not shared it until now is that the end panel (above) needed correcting.

It's that end part where the bottom kitchen unit plinth sits next to. And if you can't spot the error, I'd cut the end panel too shy and have since made it plumb with the door.

You can see what I mean here in this video.

What Wood Should I Use for Fitting a Plinth?

In my case, I had lots of spare gloss white kitchen plinth leftover from when our kitchen was fitted a few years ago. I don't like throwing any wood away as you never know when it might come in handy!

You can buy it in most mainstream DIY stores. But mine here is a melamine high gloss white plinth.

Note: the blue is just a protective film to peel off at the end.

How to Fit Kitchen Kickboards

Below, I'm going to show you my DIY plinth tips if you've never done this before.

First, I measured the length of the space under my units from where the end panel starts.

Note, I started on this side as didn't want a cut edge immediately visible far right.

I think it's best to just get an idea of where your eyes look at initially when you walk in to your kitchen.

Masking Tape & Marking a Kitchen Plinth Trim

I placed masking tape roughly where I knew I'd need to cut. This helps my pencil marks more visible and prevents chipping.

Then, using a roofer's square, I drew a straight line that would be my hand saw guide.

Note, the length of my piece is a little bit longer to what will be visible. Plus, it's good practice to cut something on the big side and you can always shorten it more later.

Cutting Kitchen Plinth With a Hand Saw

I particularly like cutting melamine with a hand saw. The reason being, I feel I have more control, I don't have to think quickly and it doesn't chip.

If you're using a circular saw, you may need to cut it upside down to prevent chipping. Or, you could use a jigsaw, although it doesn't always give the straightest cuts.

Cutting the Kitchen Plinth Height

The height of your kitchen plinth will obviously depend on how tall or short the legs have been adjusted.

So, on every leg, I measured the height and also jogged down how far apart they were from each other.

Then I reduced these measurements by 3mm for easy of removeable if needed.

For this longer cut, I took it outside for some ventilation as it is an MDF wooden plinth. If you're not aware, MDF dust is very dangerous for the lungs.

So, you can see below that I'm also wearing a face mask while cutting it down with a hand saw.

Oh, and don't mind the selfie remote cable in my other hand. I'm a one woman band (see what I did there)? DIY blogging requires a LOT of multi tasking.

Cutting Kitchen Plinth With a Jigsaw

With this being a longer cut than our initial one, I must admit, I got bored and used my jigsaw. Like I said before, jigsaws don't offer precision, but they're quick.

And also, with this cut being directly under the kitchen units, you shouldn't be able to see it. Another important thing to note is that my cut edge will not be sat directly on the floor with it being a timber plinth.

The reason for this is MDF is great at soaking up moisture and if I've had any spills, I've had it. If you're forced to use a cut edge for cost reasons, then I'd seal it with clear silicone as the last thing you want is a moist plinth.

Preparing For Kitchen Plinth Clips

In order to get ready to install my the clips for a kitchen plinth, I laid the long piece flat on the floor, but exactly where it would be in position.

Also, the back of the plinth is facing the sky (the good side facing down). You could also plan for some kickboard lighting, but we didn't feel this was necessary as it's a bright space.

Marking For Your Kitchen Base Plinth Clips

Then, mark on the back of the kitchen skirting, dead centre of each kitchen unit foot (or leg) is.

Don't worry about being a couple of mms out as each clip slides a bit, giving you some leeway.

Positioning the Clips On the Kitchen Plinth

Then I got my roofer's square and drew straight lines of where I got those pencil marks above.

If you haven't got this tool, I love it and use it on most of my projects!

How to Attach Kitchen Plinth Clips

My kitchen plinth clips came with my kitchen base units and I'm assuming most flatpack ones do.

But, just a word of warning, they're plastic and not the most robust. If I could be bothered to buy metal ones, I would as I found these easily broke.

However, plastic replacements are cheap as chips online. But I'll still show you how they work.

Separating Kitchen Plinth Clips

My clips came attached to the mounting plates. So, you may find you need to fold them over and snap to separate.

Where to Place Kitchen Plinth Mounting Plates

I personally marked about half way (about 6cm from the bottom lip) on each of the straight lines I'd created.

Then positioned my mounting plates in the same place. Note I eyeballed where the middle of these clips were.

And marked the screw holes with a pencil.

Then I needed to create pilot holes to prevent splitting wood.

And as my drill bits were all a bit long, I drilled through a slim off cut first before making my proper holes.

This prevented my from accidentally drilling straight through my plinth and damaging my good side.

Screwing on the Kitchen Plinth Fittings

Once I had my pilot holes done, I screwed the mounting plates in to position.

The screws also came with these fittings.

And now the kitchen plinth hooks are ready to slot on.

Revealing the Finished Kitchen Plinth

Once I finished screwing on my kitchen plinth fittings, I peeled off the blue protective film an attached to the base unit legs.

Fitting Kitchen Plinth Corners

After my main kitchen cupboard plinth was in place, it gave me a new starting point for my last bit. This was so I could continue joining kitchen plinths together.

So I measured from where the kitchen plinth started, then up to where the drawers stopped.

I also made sure the raw cut was facing the first plinth and that the far-right had a finished look. Otherwise, it would be visible on the end of my corner plinth.

Then repeated the kitchen cabinet plinth fitting method as above.

And this is how it looked! I really like a decorative plinth as they look more modern. It also tidies up a kitchen, hiding the base unit legs perfectly. It may seem difficult to some, but it's actually one of the easiest kinds of DIY projects you can do with minimal tools needed.

I love simple jobs like these that instantly transform a space. If you wanted to, you could also fit some kitchen plinth lights. But with this being a utility space, we didn't feel they were necessary.

If you are in the market to buy, you can even buy kitchen plinth lights with sensor features these days.

Do You Need a Kitchen Plinth Vent?

Note, if you have integrated appliances, such a fridge freezer, you may need a kitchen plinth vent. I don't recommend blocking them up as some appliances can overheat and break.

Just search for ventilation grill for a kitchen plinth and you should be able to find some.

Other DIY Kitchen Guides

• Fitting kitchen end panels
• Tiling a kitchen splashback with metro tiles
• Fitting kitchen worktops taller than the window sill
• Sealing & fitting a kitchen sink
• Installing a kitchen worktop joint corner trim
• Plumbing a tap and sink waste
• How to cut a hole for a kitchen sink
• Fitting kitchen door hinges
• Where to put handles on kitchen cabinets
• Cut a worktop with a hand saw, then add edging tape
• How to fit kitchen base units
• Plumbing a kitchen using Speedfit fittings
• My complete list of fitting a kitchen projects here

Pin How to Fit Kitchen Plinths

Follow Along With the How-To Video

You can watch how to fit kitchen plinths in my YouTube video here.