Are you tired of seeing gaps between your cabinets and walls, or between your cabinets and appliances? These gaps not only make your kitchen look incomplete but also attract dust and dirt, making cleaning a challenging task. Fortunately, you don’t have to live with these gaps anymore. Installing cabinet filler strips is an effective way to fill these gaps and give your kitchen a polished look.

In this article, we will guide you on how to install cabinet filler strips, step-by-step. We will cover everything from gathering tools and materials to measuring and cutting the filler strips, attaching them to your cabinets, and finishing touches. By following these steps, you will have a complete and professional-looking kitchen that you’ll be proud to show off.

Gathering Tools and Materials

Before installing cabinet filler strips, it’s essential to gather all the necessary tools and materials. Here are the things you need:

• Filler strips: You can buy pre-made filler strips from a hardware store or make them yourself using matching wood or melamine board.
• Measuring tape and ruler: To measure the width and length of the gaps accurately.
• Saw or jigsaw: To cut the filler strips to the required size.
• Sandpaper: To smoothen the rough edges of the cut filler strips.
• Drill and screws: To attach the filler strips to the cabinets.
• Paint or stain: To match the filler strips’ color with your cabinets.

When choosing filler strips, ensure they match the color and finish of your cabinets. Choose the appropriate thickness, typically between 1/4 inch and 3/4 inch, depending on the width of the gap. If you’re making your filler strips, ensure you have the right tools to cut them accurately. A jigsaw is ideal for making curved cuts, while a saw is perfect for straight cuts. Once you have all the tools and materials, you’re ready to start measuring and cutting the filler strips.

Measuring and Cutting the Filler Strips

The next step is to measure the gaps between your cabinets and walls or appliances accurately. Measure the height, width, and depth of the gap, and add 1/8 inch to each measurement to allow for expansion. Using a measuring tape and ruler, transfer the measurements to the filler strip, and mark the cutting lines. Cut the filler strip to size using a saw or jigsaw, and smoothen the rough edges using sandpaper. Be careful not to cut the filler strip too short or too long, as this may affect its stability when attached to the cabinets.

Attaching the Filler Strips

Once you have cut the filler strips to size, the next step is to attach them to the cabinets. There are different methods of attaching filler strips, depending on the type of cabinet and the size of the gap.

One popular method is to use a drill and screws to attach the filler strip to the cabinet’s side. First, mark the screw locations on the filler strip, ensuring they are evenly spaced. Then, pre-drill holes on the marked spots to avoid splitting the filler strip. Hold the filler strip in place against the cabinet, ensuring it’s level, and screw it in place using the pre-drilled holes. Repeat the process for all the remaining filler strips, and you’re done.

Another method is to use construction adhesive to attach the filler strip to the cabinet’s side. Apply a generous amount of adhesive on the back of the filler strip, ensuring it’s evenly spread. Hold the filler strip in place against the cabinet, ensuring it’s level, and press it firmly for a few minutes to allow the adhesive to bond. Leave it to dry completely, and you’re done.

It’s essential to ensure the filler strips are level and secure to avoid any wobbling or instability. Use a level tool to check the filler strips’ levelness before attaching them to the cabinets. Also, ensure the screws or adhesive are strong enough to hold the filler strips in place.

Finishing Touches

After attaching the filler strips, you may want to paint or stain them to match your cabinets’ color and finish. If you’re using pre-made filler strips, they may come pre-finished, saving you the hassle of painting or staining them.

If you’re painting the filler strips, first, clean them thoroughly to remove any dust or debris. Then, apply a coat of primer to seal the surface and allow it to dry completely. Once the primer is dry, apply a coat of paint using a brush or roller, ensuring it’s evenly spread. Leave it to dry completely, and apply a second coat if necessary.

If you’re staining the filler strips, first, clean them thoroughly to remove any dust or debris. Then, apply the stain using a brush or cloth, ensuring it’s evenly spread. Leave it to dry completely, and apply a second coat if necessary. Once the stain is dry, apply a coat of varnish to protect the surface and give it a glossy finish.

By following these steps, you can install cabinet filler strips and give your kitchen a complete and polished look. With the right tools and materials, measuring and cutting the filler strips, attaching them to your cabinets, and finishing touches are easy and straightforward.

Finishing Touches

Once you’ve attached the filler strips to your cabinets, the final step is to give them a finished look that blends in with your cabinets. Here are some tips on how to do that:

How to Paint or Stain the Filler Strips

If you’ve purchased unfinished filler strips, you can paint or stain them to match your cabinets’ color and finish. Start by sanding the filler strips to remove any rough spots and create a smooth surface. Then, apply a primer to help the paint or stain adhere to the wood or melamine board. After the primer has dried, apply the paint or stain using a brush or roller, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Let the filler strips dry completely before attaching them to your cabinets.

Tips on Making the Filler Strips Blend in with the Cabinets

If you’re using pre-made filler strips, they may not be an exact match to your cabinets’ color and finish. To make them blend in seamlessly, you can use wood filler to fill any gaps between the filler strips and the cabinets. Sand the wood filler once it’s dry to create a smooth surface. You can also use a color-matching marker or wax stick to cover any visible screws or gaps between the filler strips and the cabinets.

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing cabinet filler strips is an effective way to fill gaps between your cabinets and walls or appliances and give your kitchen a complete and polished look. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can install cabinet filler strips yourself and save money on professional installation. Remember to gather all the necessary tools and materials, measure and cut the filler strips accurately, attach them to your cabinets securely, and give them a finished look that blends in with your cabinets. If you’re unsure about any step, seek professional help to avoid damaging your cabinets. With these tips, you’ll have a complete and professional-looking kitchen in no time!