How to Build a Freestanding Kitchen Cabinet Part 3

In Part 1 and Part 2 of this guide to building a freestanding kitchen cabinet, you built a frame and shelves. Now, all you have to do is to attach the doors and make some final finishing touches. Follow the simple steps below to complete your freestanding cabinet.

Step 1: Attach the Hinges

The next step is to attach the hinges to the sides of the cabinet where the doors will be attached. There are various types of hinges for doors, but the more complex they are, the more complex the installation will be.

Step 2: Finish the Doors

The next step is to finish the cabinet doors. If you wish to paint them, make sure to use high quality primer paint and to spray the paint. Allow it to dry well, and then apply some clear finish. You can use stain, varnish, tung oil or polyurethane, as these are the most recommended finishes for kitchen doors. Allow them to dry well before proceeding. Then, you just have to fix the knob of the door.

Step 3: Attach the Doors

Kitchen cabinet doors will need door catches for better closure. You can choose between magnetic or friction catches. These are easy to attach and they make the door more secure when closed, while also reducing the problems of pets or toddlers trying to open the doors. Then, you can mount the doors onto the hinges which you installed before. Make sure to tighten the screws well to prevent sagging doors. Apply some wood putty where necessary.

Step 4: Build the Drawers

You might have opted to include one or more drawers as well. In that case, install the fixtures on the sides of the cabinet where you will then mount the drawers. Then, build the drawers by assembling the sides and back part to the base by means of wood glue and finishing nails. Finally, make sure to finish the front part of the drawer to match with the rest of the doors and the cabinet. Allow it to dry well, and affix the knob. Then you may attach it to the sides and base which you already assembled.

Step 5: Finish the Sides Of the Cabinet

You can now finish the sides of the cabinet by applying the paint, stain or any other finishing touches to match with the rest of the cabinet parts.

Step 6: Fix the Top

Finally, you can fix the top part of the kitchen cabinet. The top part does not have to be finished, but you may choose to apply a marble top on it.

Step 7: Apply Wood Putty

Apply some wood putty of the same color as the wood to the places where nails or screws were fixed. This will hide any resultant chippings and provide a nicer finish.

(This is the final part of a 3-part series. To return to Part 1, click here.)