Bathroom Cabinet Installation

Assembling a better bathroom

What's Your Skill Level?

Depending on the type of bathroom cabinet you choose, the difficulty of installation can range anywhere from "What's a hammer?" to "My reciprocating saw is hungry for wood!"

Floor Units: Even a Novice Needs More Storage

For the apartment-dweller or home owner who has only basic tools (or maybe not even those), a free-standing floor model is the best option. A wire etagere (yes, the one with the fancy name is the easiest to assemble) often pops together without the use of any tools. Linen cabinets or over-the-toilet space-savers may require only a screwdriver.

Wall Cabinets: Levels, Drills, and Studs - Oh My!

Next in difficulty comes the wall-mounted cabinet. You'll need a helper and a few more sophisticated tools, but installing this type of cabinet is a manageable do-it-yourself project.

Note: The following is a basic guide to give you an idea of what's involved in installing a wall-mounted cabinet, but you may want to refer to the manufacturer's included assembly instructions for more details.

• Step 1: Use a stud finder to mark the location of the wall studs in the area where you want to hang your cabinet.
• Step 2: Use a level and straight edge to draw a level horizontal line on the wall where the bottom of the cabinet will be. Map out the sides of the cabinet, too, so your cabinet will be centered.
• Step 3: Next take a small piece of lumber and temporarily attach it to the wall with a few nails. The top of this piece of wood should line up with the bottom horizontal line you just drew. This board will act as a support rail for your cabinet as you finish the installation.
• Step 4: Lightly place your cabinet on the upper edge of your temporary support rail and have your helper hold the cabinet against the wall. Drill pilot holes through the strong, sturdy part of the cabinet back into your located wall studs. Screw the cabinet to the wall as it rests on the support.
• Step 5: Remove the temporary wall support and patch up the holes. Start stocking your new cabinet!

Medicine Cabinets: Well Worth the Effort

Recessed medicine cabinets require more work and expertise. If you're lucky, you'll use a stud finder and discover the studs are perfectly placed so that you can install your mirror centered over your vanity. However, most likely, the studs won't cooperate and you'll be faced with three choices: cut into the offending wall stud (if it isn't load- bearing) to accommodate your cabinet; place your cabinet in a less-than-ideal location between off-center studs; or give up and get a surface-mounted model. However, the sleek look and incredible functionality of a recessed cabinet may be completely worth the work.