IKEA KNOXHULT Kitchen Installation Guide
This guide provides step-by-step instructions and tips for installing your new IKEA KNOXHULT kitchen.
Before You Begin
Ensure you have all parts ready before starting the installation. Opening all packages at once can lead to confusion and lost parts. Always ensure electricity, water, and gas are turned off. For these disconnections, always hire a qualified professional.
Tools You Will Need:
- Measuring tape (or folding rule)
- Spirit level
- Hammer
- Rubber mallet
- Pencil
- Flathead screwdriver
- Phillips screwdriver
- Clamps
- Electric screwdriver and bits
- Electric drill
- Jigsaw
- Hole saw
Safety When Wall Anchoring
Warning! Serious or fatal crushing injuries can occur if cabinets fall. Use the provided wall fasteners. Screws and wall plugs for the wall are not included. Assess the suitability of your wall to ensure it can withstand the generated forces. Use screws and plugs suitable for your walls and the intended load. If unsure, contact a professional advisor. Read and follow each step of the instructions carefully.
Types of Walls
It is crucial for your safety and the safety of others to correctly assess your wall type. There are mainly two types of walls: solid walls or stud walls.
Stud Walls
Built on a structure of vertical wooden or metal studs. You must anchor the furniture to the studs to ensure the cabinet is securely fastened to the wall.
- Drywall: The most common wall type. It consists of drywall panels that are easy to drill into.
- Lath and plaster: A layer of plaster applied to a structure of wooden battens and studs.
- Wood panels: Decorative wood panels come in many different shapes and styles.
Solid Walls
Slightly harder to drill into. Use a proper hammer drill with a masonry bit.
- Masonry: Bricks or stones bound together with mortar form this classic wall type.
- Concrete: A very robust wall type – from lightweight concrete to reinforced with steel bars. Made from blocks or complete wall sections.
- Hollow block: A special type of concrete block with a cavity in the middle.
Ask at your local hardware store for suitable screws and screw sizes for your walls. Depending on the wall material, you may also need to use wall plugs. Remember, we do not recommend using plugs for stud walls, as furniture must be fastened to a structural part of the wall.
You will also need a drill bit suitable for the specific wall material.
How to Determine Your Wall Type:
- The pin trick: If you can easily insert a pin into the wall, the wall is likely made of drywall. (You might also see some white dust.)
- The knocking test: A stud wall often sounds hollow when you knock on it. A solid wall does not.
- Drill a small hole: Drilling a small hole can often reveal more about what is inside your wall. Try to find a hidden spot and do not drill too deep.
- Ask someone knowledgeable: Do you have a landlord or a knowledgeable friend you can ask? Great. The question is free!
Prepare the Room
- Measure the space to ensure the modules you have chosen will fit.
- Now is a good time to paint the walls, tile, or change the floor if needed.
- Mark the placement of the cabinets on the walls. Use a pencil to sketch the cabinet positions to ensure plumbing, electrical, and gas lines are where you want them.
Install Base Cabinets
- Carefully carry in the packages. Sort out which cabinets to assemble first and set the others aside.
- Open the packaging and carefully follow the assembly instructions when putting the cabinet together.
- Once the cabinet is assembled, it's time to move it to the wall you marked with a pencil earlier. It's best to have two people when moving the cabinet.
- Level the cabinet using a spirit level and adjust the cabinet feet as needed.
- If you discover you have a stud wall, make sure to fasten the cabinet to at least one stud.
- Use a pencil to mark where the holes in the fasteners should be on the wall, using the metal fasteners in each upper corner of the cabinet as a guide.
- Ensure the markings for the holes are correct and that there are no water or electrical lines in the areas where you will be drilling.
- The type of drill, drill bit, screws, and plugs you need depends on your wall type.
- Fasten the cabinet to the wall using the provided mounting brackets. Use the correct screws for your wall material and secure the cabinet to the wall.
- Once the cabinet is securely fastened, you can attach the doors and drawers. Don't worry if you don't get it right the first time! The doors can be adjusted later.
Congratulations! You have just completed the installation of your base cabinet. Now let's add some wall cabinets!
Install Wall Cabinets
- Start by measuring where you want the wall cabinets placed and mark the position on the wall with a pencil.
- Carefully follow the assembly instructions when assembling the cabinet.
- Drill the holes with the correct type of drill bit and drill bit for your wall material, and use appropriate screws and plugs, just as you did with the base cabinet.
- With a little help from a friend, lift the cabinet and hang it on the screws.
- Screw the screws halfway into the wall.
- Attach the provided mounting brackets over the screws and then fully tighten the screws into the wall.
Nicely done! The cabinet is now on the wall.
You can now attach the doors and adjust the hinges so they are level and close properly without issues.
Congratulations! You now have a fully functional kitchen with base cabinets and wall cabinets. The next step is to install the kitchen extractor hood and/or the sink and faucet. Let's get started!
Install High Cabinets
- Open the packaging and carefully follow the assembly instructions when assembling the cabinet.
- Place the cabinet against the wall with the help of a friend.
- Adjust the feet if necessary to ensure the cabinet is level.
- Important! It is very important that the high cabinet is properly anchored to the wall to prevent tipping, which can lead to personal injury.
- Use a pencil to mark where the holes should be on the wall, using the metal fasteners in each upper corner of the cabinet as a guide.
- If you have a stud wall, ensure the cabinet is fastened to the studs. For other wall types, you need screws and wall plugs suitable for your wall material.
- Once the cabinet is securely fastened to the wall, it is safe to attach the door and finally insert the shelves into the cabinet. You can place the shelves according to your needs.
- You can add a KNOXHULT wall cabinet of the same width as your high cabinet on top to make it taller. Fasten the top cabinet to the wall (in the same way as a regular wall cabinet – see the "Install Wall Cabinets" section) and to the high cabinet.
- Alternatively, you can add a wall cabinet to the side of your high cabinet to extend it in one direction. Fasten the cabinet to the wall (in the same way as a regular wall cabinet – see the "Install Wall Cabinets" section) and to the side of the high cabinet.
Well done! Your kitchen is now ready for the installation of the sink, faucet, and appliances.
Install Extractor Hood
- It's time to unpack your new kitchen extractor hood. The assembly instructions will guide you through the entire process. The instructions show the required distance between the countertop and the underside of the hood.
- Carefully measure the height for the hood cabinet and mark it on the wall with a pencil.
- Use the folded paper template that comes with the hood to mark the placement for the exhaust pipe.
- Tape the template to the back or top of the cabinet, depending on the ventilation's placement, and use a pencil to mark the location of the hole.
- Use a jigsaw to cut a hole in the cabinet according to your marking.
- Fasten the cabinet to the wall with the correct screws and plugs for your wall material.
- Use a spirit level to ensure the cabinet is level. You can adjust the position using the cabinet's feet if needed.
- With the help of a friend, lift the kitchen extractor hood to the bottom of the cabinet and fasten it with the provided screws.
- Insert the exhaust hose through the cut-out hole and connect it to the ventilation.
Important! All electrical connections must be made by a qualified electrician. Seek professional advice if you are unsure.
Install Sink and Faucet
- If you have pipes sticking out from the floor or wall, carefully measure their position and mark them on your base cabinet. Remember: measure twice, cut once!
- Use a hole saw or jigsaw to create openings for the pipes to pass through. If the opening is on the underside of the cabinet, the edges must be sealed with polyurethane silicone to prevent water damage to the cabinet.
- Lift the cabinet with the help of a friend and carefully place it over the pipes.
- You can install the sink in the cabinet yourself without prior plumbing experience. The following steps will show you how.
- Mark the sink's perimeter on the countertop with a pencil and follow the enclosed assembly instructions.
- Use a jigsaw to cut out the space for the sink. It's good to drill a hole in the inner corners of your outline before cutting, so you can make a clean cut.
- To prevent moisture from penetrating the countertop, apply polyurethane silicone along the sawn edges.
- Fasten the sink in place according to the assembly instructions.
- Carefully measure on the countertop where you want the faucet and what size hole you need for it. Then mark the placement with a pencil.
- Use a hole saw to create an opening for the faucet in the countertop according to your markings.
- Now you can attach the faucet to the countertop using the assembly instructions. The sink and faucet are now in place. The rest of the plumbing should be performed by a qualified plumber.
The Finishing Touches
We are almost there! Only the final touches for your KNOXHULT kitchen remain.
- To complete the look of your kitchen, add knobs and handles to the cabinet doors and drawers. Measure carefully and mark with a pencil where you want to place your knobs and handles.
- To avoid chipped edges and get a clean hole, you can attach small pieces of wood to the back of the door with clamps where the drill bit will pass through. This helps stabilize the material.
- Drill holes at the marked locations for knobs or handles and mount them with the provided screws.
- Finally, add interior details and accessories to complete your kitchen.
Congratulations, you are done!
Maintenance
It's time to take a step back and admire your new KNOXHULT kitchen – and congratulate yourself on assembling and installing it yourself! With a little care and maintenance, your new IKEA kitchen will look great for many years to come. Here are some tips on how to best take care of your KNOXHULT kitchen.
- Wipe the sink after each use with a cloth or sponge dampened with water or a non-abrasive detergent, if needed. Rinse the sink with water and then wipe the sink dry with a dry cloth. Avoid scouring powders, steel wool, or hard objects that can scratch the stainless steel surface. A damp surface can discolor if ferrous substances, e.g., steel wool, nails, or grit, are left on it. Discoloration is caused by foreign material.
- Keep the countertop in top condition by quickly wiping up spills with water and a mild detergent. Ensure the countertop stays as dry as possible after use.
- For laminate countertops to look new, do not use knives directly on the surface; always use a cutting board. Avoid dragging objects with rough edges across the surface, as this can cause scratches.
- Clean doors and cabinet interiors with a soft, damp cloth. Use only products intended for these materials. Do not use products containing ammonia, alcohol, bleach, or abrasives. For tougher stains, you can use a microfiber cloth with a mild, non-abrasive detergent and rub gently in circular motions. Rinse with clean water and then dry with a clean, dry cloth. Be sure to wipe up spills quickly.
- Uneven doors can be adjusted at the hinges.
With proper care, your new kitchen will last for many years. But if any part breaks or goes missing, you can order spare parts for most components of your KNOXHULT kitchen. Visit IKEA.se/spareparts to explore available spare parts for your kitchen.