How to Hang Overhead Cabinets

Place a mark on the wall with a pencil to indicate the location of the bottom of the overhead cabinets. Generally, the bottom of an overhead cabinet is 18 inches from the top of the counter.

Put a level on the pencil mark on the wall. The mark should be at the top or bottom edge of the level. Run the pencil along the edge of the level to scroll a straight and level line across the wall. This line will serve as a guide when hanging the overhead cabinet.

Run a stud finder along the horizontal line on the wall to find the wall studs. The stud finder will beep when it passes over a stud. Place a pencil mark just under the horizontal line to identify the location of each stud. Mark the location of every wall stud within the area you are placing the overhead cabinets.

Install a screw tip drill bit in an electric drill's chuck. Follow the drill manufacturer’s directions.

Screw a 1-by-2-inch board along the length of the horizontal wall. Drive a 3 1/2-inch screw into each wall stud. The top of the board must be exactly on the horizontal line. You will set the cabinets on this ledge to help hold them in place during installation.

Pick up an overhead cabinet and place it in the desired location on the wall. Line up the bottom of the cabinet with the support board on the wall. The cabinet must be on the top of the board to be level. Have a helper hold the cabinet in place.

Drive a 3 1/2-inch wood screw into the back of the cabinet with the electric drill. Use the pencil marks as a guide to make sure your screws go into a wall stud. Place a screw inside the back of the cabinet approximately 4 inches from the top. Put another screw at the same distance from the bottom of the cabinet. Insert a third screw halfway between the two others. The screws should be in a straight line to connect with the wall stud.

Place the next overhead cabinet on the wall. Secure it to the wall studs using the same procedures as the first cabinet. Make sure the cabinets are at the same height. Drive short wood screws through the inside of the cabinet side to connect the cabinets together. Insert the screws near the top, bottom and middle of the cabinet sides. The screws should be placed in a straight line a few inches from the front of the cabinet.