12 IKEA Kitchen Installation Mistakes to Avoid (From Professional Installers)

12 IKEA Kitchen Installation Mistakes to Avoid

We've installed hundreds of IKEA kitchens and we've also been called in to fix kitchens where things went wrong. These are the 12 most common IKEA kitchen installation mistakes we see, along with how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Not Checking the Order Thoroughly

IKEA kitchen orders can contain 40-80+ boxes. It's tempting to stack them in a corner and wait for installation day to open them. Don't.

What goes wrong: Missing items aren't discovered until mid-installation, causing delays of 1-2 weeks while replacements are ordered and shipped.

How to avoid it: Open and inventory every box within 48 hours of delivery. Check against your IKEA order list item by item. Inspect door fronts and glass panels for damage. Report issues to IKEA immediately.

Mistake #2: Skipping the Level Check

This is the most impactful mistake in the entire installation process.

What goes wrong: Cabinets are installed without establishing a true level reference. As you move along the run, cabinets drift higher or lower. The result is visible gaps, uneven countertops, and doors that don't align.

How to avoid it: Before installing anything, use a long level or laser level to find the highest point of the floor along all cabinet runs. This becomes your reference point. Base cabinets are shimmed up to match this height. The suspension rail for wall cabinets must be installed perfectly level.

Mistake #3: Over-Tightening Cam Locks During Assembly

IKEA cabinets use cam lock fasteners to join panels together during assembly.

What goes wrong: Using a power drill at full torque strips the cam lock or cracks the particleboard around it. This weakens the joint permanently.

How to avoid it: Use a hand screwdriver or a drill on the lowest torque setting. Cam locks only need a quarter turn to lock. If you hear cracking or feel resistance, stop. See our SEKTION cabinet system guide for more assembly tips.

Mistake #4: Not Securing Cabinets to Wall Studs

Some DIY installers screw cabinets into drywall using anchors instead of finding and hitting wall studs.

What goes wrong: Wall cabinets loaded with heavy dishes can pull away from the wall over time. In the worst case, they come crashing down.

How to avoid it: The SEKTION suspension rail must be screwed into wall studs. Use a reliable stud finder and verify each stud location with a small nail before drilling. In older NYC buildings with plaster-and-lath walls, studs can be harder to locate. Use a magnetic stud finder for plaster walls, and consider adding toggle bolts between studs for extra security.

Mistake #5: Ignoring Filler Strips

Filler strips are narrow pieces that fill the gap between the last cabinet and the wall, or between cabinets and appliances.

What goes wrong: Without proper fillers, there are visible gaps, doors can't open fully against walls, and drawers may hit adjacent appliance handles.

How to avoid it: Plan filler strips during the design phase, not as an afterthought. Standard filler widths should be included in your IKEA order. Custom cuts may be needed on site. Always leave at least 1/4" of filler next to walls to allow for scribing to uneven surfaces.

Mistake #6: Forgetting About Plumbing and Electrical

Cabinets look straightforward until you remember that water, drains, gas, and electrical are hiding behind the walls.

What goes wrong: Cabinets are installed only to discover that a pipe or outlet falls right where a cabinet back needs to be. Last-minute cuts weaken the cabinet and look sloppy.

How to avoid it: Before installation, mark the exact location of all plumbing lines, drains, gas lines, electrical outlets, and switches on the wall. Transfer these measurements to the cabinet backs and cut cleanly before installation. For under-sink cabinets, make cuts with a jigsaw or hole saw rather than a utility knife.

Mistake #7: Not Using Cover Panels on Exposed Sides

Any cabinet side that's visible, such as the end of a run, the side of an island, or next to a doorway, needs a cover panel.

What goes wrong: Exposed cabinet sides show raw melamine edges and the adjustable leg hardware. It looks unfinished and cheap.

How to avoid it: Order cover panels that match your door fronts for every exposed cabinet side. Include these in your initial IKEA order. They attach with screws and double-sided tape.

Mistake #8: Poor Countertop Cutouts

The cutout for the sink is critical. It needs to be precisely sized and properly sealed.

What goes wrong: A cutout that's too large leaves gaps around the sink. A cutout that's too small means the sink doesn't fit. Unsealed cutout edges in laminate countertops swell from moisture.

How to avoid it: Let your countertop fabricator handle the cutout. If using IKEA laminate countertops, use the provided template and double-check dimensions against your actual sink. Seal all cut edges with waterproof sealant. For stone countertops, the fabricator templates and cuts at their shop for a perfect fit. See our countertop options guide.

Mistake #9: Installing Base Cabinets Before Wall Cabinets

This seems counterintuitive, but there's a reason professionals hang wall cabinets first.

What goes wrong: Base cabinets and countertops get in the way when you're trying to install the suspension rail and hang wall cabinets above. You end up reaching over the counter, which is awkward and unsafe, especially with heavy cabinets.

How to avoid it: Always install the suspension rail and wall cabinets first. Then install base cabinets. Some experienced installers install them simultaneously, but wall-first is the safest approach for most projects.

Mistake #10: Forgetting Ventilation Clearances

Built-in appliances, especially ovens and microwaves, require specific clearances for ventilation.

What goes wrong: Cabinets are installed tight against appliances, blocking ventilation openings. This can cause overheating, premature appliance failure, and in worst cases, fire hazards.

How to avoid it: Read the installation manual for every built-in appliance before finalizing your cabinet plan. Most ovens require 1-2" clearances on the sides and back. Microwaves need ventilation above. Dishwashers need clearance for steam vents.

Mistake #11: Rushing the Final Adjustments

After all cabinets are installed, there's a critical step that many DIYers skip or rush: final adjustment.

What goes wrong: Doors don't align with each other, drawers are slightly crooked, and the overall appearance looks "off" even though the basic installation is correct.

How to avoid it: Spend dedicated time adjusting every hinge and drawer. IKEA's UTRUSTA hinges adjust in three directions:

• In/out: How close the door sits to the cabinet frame
• Up/down: Vertical alignment with adjacent doors
• Side to side: Horizontal gap between doors

Adjust in this order: side-to-side first, then up/down, then in/out. Use a consistent gap width between all doors (typically 2-3mm).

Mistake #12: DIY-ing When You Should Hire a Pro

We respect the DIY spirit. Many homeowners successfully install IKEA kitchens themselves. But there are situations where professional installation is the wiser choice:

• Your kitchen has complex plumbing or electrical requirements
• You live in an older building with uneven walls and floors
• You have a tight timeline and can't afford delays
• Your kitchen is large (20+ cabinets)
• You don't have the necessary tools (drill, level, jigsaw, clamps)
• You're not comfortable working overhead to install wall cabinets

For a detailed comparison, read our DIY vs professional installation guide.

Learn from Others' Mistakes

The good news is that every one of these mistakes is preventable with proper planning and technique. If you want the peace of mind that comes with professional installation, our team has the experience to get it right the first time. We serve homeowners across New York City and New Jersey. Get a free estimate for your IKEA kitchen project.