Installing your own kitchen

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Our range of Wickes Lifestyle Kitchens helps you keep things simple, but a new kitchen installation is a big project. Following these steps will help you prepare properly and do the best job possible. We can guide you through the process, so you understand exactly how to install a kitchen from start to finish.

Plan your layout carefully, locating your water and gas supplies before you remove your old units.
Fit your base cabinets from the corner outwards, followed by your wall units and then your worktops.
Always hire professional plumbers and electricians for your gas, electrical, and complex pipework.

Planning your new kitchen installation

Putting in the work to plan things properly ahead of time can really save you hassle.

Start by sketching out a floorplan of your kitchen. Accurately mark important areas, such as your water and gas supplies, switches, sockets, and radiators.
Consider drawer units, full-height units, and magic corners for storage.
Check what size the kitchen worktops come in to determine how many you’ll need. Think about adding worktop bolts and Colorfill if you're going for a laminate worktop.
Try to place the cooker, fridge, and sink in a kitchen work triangle for ease of use. Consider where your kitchen appliances are going in relation to the sink and check the drainer thickness compared to your worktop. The kitchen triangle guide on the Wickes website is a great way to map things out.

How do you install a kitchen?

Now you’ve prepped, it’s time to get installing.

First, remove your appliances and rip out all your old units. This gives you a clear space to work in.

Hire a plumber and electrician to deal with any pipework and fix your electrical points. Do not attempt electrical or plumbing work without extensive knowledge or prior training.

Patch up any holes in the wall or fully replaster. Depending on your floor choice, you might also need to self-level the floor using a floor levelling compound.

Assemble your kitchen cabinets so that you can focus on fitting them one after the other. We have a detailed how-to guide on assembling cabinets if you need more help.

Now move on to installing kitchen units. Measure and mark out the points for all your new units and cabinets on the walls. Attach the supplied brackets where needed.

Fit your base units from the corner, working outwards. Continue this until all base cabinets are fitted. We have another guide with more detailed instructions on installing kitchen cabinets if you need it.

If you want under-cabinet lighting, install it now before you attach your wall units.

When installing kitchen cupboards, fit your wall units next. Make sure that the top of them is aligned with the top of your larder or tower unit if you have one. Again, check out our guide on installing kitchen cabinets for more detailed instructions.

Paint your walls with a kitchen-appropriate paint finish in any shade you’d like. Looking for the perfect colour? Try using our online Paint Visualiser or pick up a few tester pots. We stock a wide range of kitchen paint from brands like Wickes, Dulux, and Crown. If you need more inspiration, take a look at our guide on how to transform your kitchen with paint.

Lay your underlay and tape it in place. Lay your flooring, fitting around the units to leave space for expansion.

Fit your decorative end panels, plinths, and supplied cabinet doors. Attach the trim and baseboards on your kitchen cabinets. Then attach your cabinet handles as well.

For worktops to be joined properly, an installer would be best to hire for the day. This is the preferred method of fitting. Alternatively, carefully follow our guide to find out how to install kitchen worktop pieces yourself.

Carefully measure and cut your kitchen worktop to size using your jigsaw.
Position the worktop and screw it into place.
Apply silicone sealant to any exposed edges, including the kitchen sink edges.For more detailed instructions, take a look at our guide on how to fit a kitchen worktop.

To install a sink, follow these steps:

Carefully drop the sink into the cut hole and secure it.
Apply silicone sealant around the edges to prevent water damage.

Next, you'll need to know how to install kitchen tap fixtures.

Secure the tap to the sink base before plumbing it in. Remember that complex plumbing should be carried out by a professional, so get the plumber to complete their second fixes now.

If you need more help with this step, follow our guide on how to install a kitchen sink and taps.

Any built-in appliances should be installed now.

A safe kitchen hood installation requires securing the extractor unit above your hob and ensuring it vents correctly.
Position your oven and fridge. Any gas work or plumbing should be carried out by a professional. Get the electrician to complete their second fixes for your ovens and extractors.

Install your kitchen tiles or splashback. An oven splashback should be used if you're opting for an upstand, which should also be installed now.

And that’s it! Installing a kitchen is a big project but breaking it down into simple steps makes it much easier to manage. Take your time, double-check your measurements, and remember to use our detailed guides if you need extra help along the way. Once you've touched up the final bits of paint, it's time to treat yourself to another cup of tea. If you feel like this project may be too much of an undertaking to do yourself, we offer and design and installation service that handles everything for you.

FAQs

The cost varies depending on the size of your kitchen and the materials you choose. Doing your own kitchen installation saves on labour, but you'll still need to pay professional plumbers and electricians for gas and electrical work.

You can install base and wall units yourself if you have basic DIY skills and the right tools. But for a Wickes Bespoke Kitchen installation, we recommend using one of our Wickes Approved Installers to ensure your kitchen is completed with high quality in mind.

Place your spirit level across the top of your base units. If they aren't sitting flat, you'll need to adjust the legs. Simply twist the legs underneath the cabinet to raise or lower each corner. Keep adjusting them until the bubble in your spirit level sits perfectly in the middle. For your wall units, make sure the top of them aligns with the top of your larder or tower unit if you have one.