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Whether you install flooring before or after kitchen cabinets depends primarily on the type of flooring you are using. For materials like hardwood, tile, and sheet flooring, the best practice is to install the flooring first. This ensures the cabinets are installed at the correct height and on a stable surface. However, you should not install cabinets on top of floating floors, such as laminate or luxury vinyl plank (LVP). These types of flooring need room to expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes. Placing heavy cabinets on top can restrict this movement, potentially causing the floor to buckle and making the cabinets unstable. For floating floors, install the cabinets first and then lay the flooring up to them. Other reasons to consider installing cabinets before the flooring include saving money on materials (since you won't need flooring under the cabinets) and avoiding potential damage to your new floor during cabinet installation. Additionally, installing cabinets directly on the subfloor might prevent voiding your flooring's warranty.

If you’re brave enough to tackle building your own cabinet bases, you’re brave enough to install them yourself. You’ll need a stud finder to get you started, but the installation will be a breeze if you’ve already done all the hard work to build the cabinet bases yourself. If you’re hanging upper cabinets, you’ll need a helper, though, to balance the weight of the cabinets and make the process easier.

Installing cabinet toe kicks after installing flooring is common, as this produces a sleek, streamlined appearance along the cabinetry bases. The toe kick is a cabinetry term for the covered, recessed areas at the cabinet’s base that let you stand closer to the counter more comfortably by making room for your toes.

Before making any big plans, climb up a step ladder and closely examine the top of your cabinets. You’ll get to see what sort of clean-up work needs to be done, but you can also check for any unexpected obstacles. Sometimes this space holds electrical boxes, wiring, or even plumbing components. Those will affect plans to install a new layer of cabinets or shelves.