How To Remove Kitchen Cabinets Step-by-Step: Your DIY Guide

Can you remove kitchen cabinets yourself? Yes, with the right tools and a bit of know-how, you can absolutely remove kitchen cabinets yourself, saving money on your kitchen remodel. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from preparing your space to the final disposal of old cabinets.

Removing kitchen cabinets is a significant step in any kitchen remodel, whether you’re aiming for a complete overhaul or a cosmetic refresh. While it might seem daunting, tackling cabinet demolition yourself can be a rewarding and cost-effective part of your DIY project. This detailed guide will equip you with the knowledge and steps needed to safely and efficiently remove your existing kitchen cabinets, preparing your space for new installations or a fresh coat of paint. We’ll cover everything from gathering your tools to proper cabinet disposal, ensuring a smooth transition for your kitchen remodel.

Image Source: www.thespruce.com

Gathering Your Essential Tools and Safety Gear

Before you even think about touching a screwdriver, it’s crucial to have the right tools and safety equipment. Trying to force cabinets out with inadequate tools can lead to damage to your cabinets (if you plan to reuse them), your walls, or even yourself.

Here’s a list of what you’ll likely need:

• Safety Glasses: Essential for protecting your eyes from dust, debris, and falling objects.
• Work Gloves: To protect your hands from splinters and sharp edges.
• Dust Mask: Especially important when dealing with older cabinets or if you’re concerned about dust.
• Screwdriver Set: Both Phillips head and flathead screwdrivers in various sizes are necessary for removing cabinet hardware and mounting screws.
• Power Drill/Driver: This will significantly speed up the process of removing screws. Make sure you have the correct drill bits.
• Pry Bar or Wonder Bar: For gently separating cabinets from walls and stubborn fixtures.
• Utility Knife: To cut through any caulk or paint seals around the cabinets.
• Stud Finder: To locate studs behind the drywall, where cabinets are typically secured.
• Putty Knife: Useful for scraping away old caulk or adhesive.
• Level: To check if cabinets are installed straight, which can sometimes indicate how they are mounted.
• Hammer: For gently tapping pry bars or dislodging pieces.
• Reciprocating Saw (Optional, for more aggressive cabinet demolition): Use with caution and only if you are not salvaging the cabinets.
• Drop Cloths or Tarps: To protect your floors from dust and scratches.
• Bucket or Tool Bag: To keep your small parts (screws, hinges) organized.
• Safety Ladder or Step Stool: For reaching upper cabinets safely.
• Crowbar: A heavier-duty version of a pry bar for tougher jobs.

Preparing Your Kitchen for Cabinet Removal

Proper preparation is key to a clean and efficient cabinet removal. This involves protecting your surroundings and ensuring you have a clear workspace.

Protecting Your Workspace

• Clear the Area: Remove everything from countertops, tables, and the floor in the work area. This includes appliances, dishes, food items, and any decor.
• Cover Floors: Lay down drop cloths or tarps to protect your flooring from dust, paint chips, and potential scratches from tools or falling debris. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas.
• Protect Appliances: If you’re not removing them, cover refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers with drop cloths or plastic sheeting to prevent them from getting dusty. You might want to unplug and move appliances like refrigerators out of the way if possible for better access.

Shutting Off Utilities

This is a critical safety step, especially if your cabinets are near plumbing or electrical outlets.

• Water Supply: If your cabinets house plumbing for a sink or dishwasher, locate the shut-off valve for your kitchen’s water supply and turn it off. Open the faucet to drain any residual water in the lines.
• Electricity: If there are any lights, garbage disposals, or outlets within or near your cabinets, locate the appropriate circuit breaker in your home’s electrical panel and switch it off. Test the outlets or lights with a voltage tester to confirm the power is off.

Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Kitchen Cabinets

Now that you’re prepped and tooled up, let’s get to the actual removal. We’ll break this down by component: hardware, doors, drawers, and then the cabinets themselves.

Step 1: Removing Cabinet Hardware

This is the first and often easiest step.

• Hardware Removal: Start by removing all cabinet knobs, pulls, and hinges.
  • Knobs and Pulls: These are usually attached with a single screw from the inside of the drawer or door. Use a screwdriver to remove them.
  • Hinges: Cabinet hinges are typically secured with screws. Open each cabinet door and locate the screws attaching the hinge to the cabinet frame and the door itself. Remove these screws.
• Organize Your Hardware: Keep all the screws and hardware in a labeled bag or container. This is especially important if you plan to reuse them or if you want to keep your new cabinet hardware organized during installation.

Step 2: Removing Cabinet Doors and Drawers

Once the hardware is off, the doors and drawers should come away easily.

• Cabinet Doors: With the hinges detached from the cabinet frame (or the screws holding the hinges to the doors removed), lift the cabinet doors off. If the hinges are still attached to the doors and you’re not salvaging them, you can simply leave them on for now.
• Cabinet Drawers:
  • Slide-Out: Most drawers can be simply pulled out. Some may have a small clip or lever on the drawer slides that needs to be pressed to release the drawer.
  • Drawer Fronts: If the drawer fronts are decorative and attached to the drawer box separately, you might need to remove screws from the inside of the drawer box that go through to the decorative front.
  • Cabinet Drawer Interiors: Remove any cabinet shelving or dividers within the cabinets. These are usually held in place by small pins or clips.

Step 3: Detaching the Cabinets from the Wall

This is where the real work begins. Cabinets are typically secured to the wall studs with screws.

• Locate Mounting Screws: Open each cabinet door or drawer opening. Look inside the cabinet box, along the back and sometimes along the top and bottom edges. You’ll find screws that go directly into the wall studs.
  • Use a Stud Finder: If you can’t easily see the screws, use your stud finder to confirm the location of studs behind the cabinets. Mark these locations if necessary.
  • Check for Caulk/Paint: Use your utility knife to score any caulk or paint that might be sealing the cabinet to the wall or backsplash. This prevents paint or drywall from peeling when you pull the cabinets away.
• Remove Mounting Screws: Using your screwdriver or drill, carefully remove all the mounting screws. Keep these screws organized if you intend to reuse the cabinets.
• Check for Obstructions: Ensure there are no hidden pipes, wires, or fixtures still attached to the cabinet. If there are, address them before proceeding.
• Gentle Persuasion: Once all screws are removed, the cabinet should be loose.
  • Pry Carefully: If a cabinet is still stuck, insert a putty knife or thin pry bar between the cabinet and the wall. Gently work it around to loosen any remaining adhesive or missed screws.
  • Apply Even Pressure: Avoid prying too hard in one spot, which can damage the wall. Work your way around the cabinet.
  • Two-Person Job: For larger or heavier cabinets, it’s best to have a second person to help support the cabinet as you remove the last screws or pry it away from the wall.

Step 4: Removing Base Cabinets

Base cabinets are secured from the top and often from the sides into adjacent cabinets, and to the wall behind.

• Disconnect Plumbing/Electrical: If you haven’t already, ensure any plumbing (sink drain, water lines) or electrical connections (dishwasher, disposal) are disconnected and safely capped or turned off.
• Remove Countertops: In most cases, you’ll need to remove the countertops before you can fully access and remove base cabinets. Countertops are often attached with screws from underneath or with adhesive.
• Look for Wall Screws: Similar to upper cabinets, base cabinets are screwed into wall studs. These screws are usually found along the back of the cabinet, near the top and sometimes along the bottom.
• Check Against Adjoining Cabinets: Base cabinets are also often joined together with screws through their side panels. Remove these screws where cabinets meet.
• Pry and Remove: Once all screws are out, carefully pry the base cabinet away from the wall and floor. Use your pry bar gently. Have a helper to support the weight, especially for cabinets containing granite or stone countertops.

Step 5: Removing Upper Cabinets

Upper cabinets are generally lighter but require careful handling, especially when working at height.

• Support is Key: Always have a helper when removing upper cabinets. These can be heavy once detached, and you don’t want them to fall.
• Find the Screws: Most upper cabinets are attached to wall studs through their back panels and sometimes through the top or bottom mounting rails.
• Lower Cabinet Sections First: If cabinets are stacked or connected, consider removing the lower sections first to gain better access to the mounting points of the upper ones.
• Pry and Lower: Once screws are removed, carefully pull the cabinet away from the wall. Lower it slowly and safely to the floor.

Step 6: Dealing with Stubborn Fixtures

Sometimes, cabinets are attached in ways that aren’t immediately obvious.

• Adhesive: Older cabinets might be glued to the wall or backsplash. A utility knife and pry bar are your best friends here. Work slowly to break the adhesive bond without damaging the drywall.
• Unusual Fasteners: In rare cases, you might encounter brackets or specialized fasteners. Take your time to identify how they are attached and remove them accordingly.

Cabinet Disposal and What to Do Next

Once your cabinets are out, you’ll need to figure out what to do with them.

Options for Cabinet Disposal

• Donation: If your cabinets are in good condition, consider donating them to a local Habitat for Humanity ReStore or another architectural salvage yard. This is a great way to reduce waste and help your community.
• Resale: You might be able to sell them online through platforms like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or specialty architectural salvage websites.
• Recycling: Some areas have specific recycling programs for building materials. Check with your local waste management authority.
• Landfill: If the cabinets are damaged beyond repair or reuse, they will need to be taken to a landfill. Check local regulations regarding construction debris disposal. You may need to rent a dumpster for larger projects.

Preparing Cabinets for Disposal or Donation

• Remove all hardware: Ensure hinges, handles, and any other metal components are removed. These can often be recycled separately.
• Clean them: Wipe down the cabinets to remove dust and debris, especially if you are donating or selling them.

What to Do with Walls and Floors After Cabinet Removal

Removing cabinets often reveals unfinished or damaged walls and floors.

• Wall Repair: You’ll likely have screw holes, divots, or areas where paint or drywall paper was pulled off.
  • Fill holes with spackle or drywall compound.
  • Sand smooth once dry.
  • Prime and paint the exposed wall areas to match the rest of your kitchen.
• Floor Repair: You might find differences in flooring color or wear where cabinets sat.
  • If you have leftover flooring, you can try to patch it.
  • If the difference is minor, a good cleaning might suffice.
  • New flooring installation will cover these imperfections.

Considerations for Cabinet Refinishing or Refinishing

If you removed cabinets with the intention of reusing them, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Cabinet Refinishing: This is a broad term that can include cleaning, sanding, and applying a new finish (stain or varnish) to the existing wood. It’s a great way to refresh the look of older cabinets.
• Cabinet Painting: This is a popular DIY project. It involves thorough cleaning, priming, and applying multiple coats of high-quality cabinet paint. Proper preparation is paramount for a durable finish.
• Cabinet Hardware Removal: As mentioned earlier, keeping your old hardware is easy. If you plan to change it, make sure you measure the existing hole spacing to ensure your new hardware will fit, or be prepared to fill and drill new holes.
• Cabinet Shelving: Check the condition of your cabinet shelving. If it’s damaged or you’re looking for a change, you can replace it during the refinishing or cabinet installation process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: How long does it take to remove kitchen cabinets?
  A: The time it takes can vary greatly depending on the size of your kitchen, how they were installed, and whether you are salvaging them. For a standard-sized kitchen, it can take anywhere from 4 hours to a full day for a DIYer.
  
• Q: Can I remove kitchen cabinets without damaging the drywall?
  A: It’s difficult to remove cabinets without causing some minor damage to the drywall, such as small holes from screws or slight tearing where paint meets the cabinet. However, by being careful, using the right tools, and scoring caulk, you can minimize the damage.
  
• Q: What if my cabinets are very old or glued to the wall?
  A: Older cabinets may be more brittle, so handle them with care. If they are glued, you’ll need to use a utility knife to cut through the adhesive and a pry bar to carefully separate them. This might cause more drywall damage.
• Q: Do I need to disconnect plumbing before removing base cabinets?
  A: Absolutely. Any cabinets with sinks, dishwashers, or garbage disposals will have plumbing or electrical connections that must be safely disconnected before removal. Always shut off the water supply and electricity first.
• Q: Can I reuse my old kitchen cabinets?
  A: Yes, if they are in good condition and fit your new kitchen layout. You might want to consider cabinet refinishing or cabinet painting to give them a fresh look. Removing them carefully will make this process much easier.

Removing kitchen cabinets is a manageable DIY task that can save you money and give you a sense of accomplishment as part of your kitchen remodel. By following these steps, prioritizing safety, and gathering the right tools, you’ll be well on your way to transforming your kitchen space. Remember to plan your cabinet disposal and wall repair, and you’ll be ready for your new cabinet installation in no time!