How to assemble and install a corner base cabinet

Before you start assembling anything, unpack your flat pack and lay out all the pieces on a clean surface. Check them off against the parts list in your instruction manual to make sure everything is included. This is also a good time to familiarise yourself with the components and hardware.

With the back of the corner kitchen cabinet in place, install the side panels by slotting them into the base. Make sure the front edges line up neatly with the edge of the base panel. This alignment is important for ensuring your cabinet looks tidy once installed, and it also helps with joining other cabinets in the run later on.

To maintain the shape of your corner cabinet and keep it square, attach the front support rail across the open front section. This will help stabilise the unit during installation. Next, fit the smaller upper rail using the flat brackets included in the kit. Securing these elements now helps reinforce the cabinet's frame before it’s moved into position.

Before moving the cabinet into position, it’s important to check if the corner of your room is square. Use a builder’s square to do this. If the corner is slightly out, don’t worry, most cabinet designs allow for a 20mm overhang at the back of the side panels. This gives you some wiggle room to make adjustments and accommodate irregular walls.

Move the corner cabinet into place and loosely position it with any adjoining base cabinets. Use clamps to temporarily hold everything together while you adjust the alignment. Once the faces of the cabinets are flush, pre-drill through the side panels and secure the cabinets together using screws. Joining the cabinets before fixing them to the wall helps maintain correct alignment throughout the run.

The spacers need to be screwed on the inside of the cupboard at either end, so you can attach the runners to them. The first spacer to attach has pre-drilled holes in a straight line. If you're unsure, check the instructions. Turn the cabinet onto its end and use a drill to fasten the spacer to its side. Make sure the laminated, white edge is pointing to the front of the cabinet. Place the other spacer on top of the first and use a drill and screws to fix it in place. Repeat this process at the other end of the cupboard.

There may be a small gap between the cabinet and the wall due to uneven surfaces. Fill this gap with packers to stabilise the corner cabinet and prevent it from bowing. Once stable, drill through the back panel and into the wall studs using 65mm timber screws. Make sure you’re securing the cabinet into solid framing for long-term strength. Repeat the process along the full run of connected cabinets for a consistent and professional finish.

Now that the cabinet is fixed in place, fit the internal shelf using the supports or brackets provided in your corner cabinet kit. Most shelves are adjustable, so you can set the height to suit your storage needs.

To prepare for mounting the doors, start by removing the hinge arms from the hinge plates. This is usually done by pressing the release tab located at the end of each arm. Once separated, line up the hinge plates with the pre-drilled holes inside the cabinet. Most hinge kits include small plastic lugs to help with positioning, so make use of these to keep the plates straight. Make sure the round holes in each plate are facing toward the front of the cabinet. Then secure the plates using the provided 14mm screws, tightening each one firmly so the plates are flush with the panel.

Once the hinge plates are in place, align the doors so the hinge arms can be clipped into their respective mounts. Push each hinge arm into position until you hear a click, this means they’ve locked securely into place. Open and close each door to ensure they operate smoothly and check that both doors sit evenly. If needed, use the adjustment screws built into the hinges to fine-tune the fit.