Installing and Finishing Hampton Bay White Shaker Kitchen Cabinets

Hampton Bay's white Shaker-style kitchen cabinets offer a clean, versatile look that fits beautifully into both traditional and contemporary kitchen designs. The recessed center panels and visible woodgrain edges provide subtle detailing without overpowering small spaces. While the cabinets offer great quality for the price, proper installation and finishing are still required to get the most out of your investment.

Proper planning, preparation, installation, and finishing techniques will ensure your new cabinets look cohesive and built-in.

Cabinet Delivery and Preparation

Once your Hampton Bay cabinet order arrives, thoroughly inspect each component for any shipping damage or defects. Check that you have received all the required cabinet boxes, doors, drawers, and hardware.

Organize cabinet boxes by size and type, along with the correlating doors and drawers. Gather the necessary tools you’ll need for installation including a drill, screw gun, level, tape measure, clamps, stud finder, and more. Have wood shims on hand to level wall cabinets during hanging.

Installation Process

Working with Existing Layout

First, take careful measurements of your existing kitchen including the cabinet footprint, ceiling height, and window and doorway placements. Map out the new cabinet configuration within your layout to optimize workflow.

Mark the locations of plumbing, electrical, and any specialty outlets that will need to be integrated into the cabinet design. Remove existing cabinets if present, and prep the walls for installation.

Hanging Wall Cabinets

Locate the wall studs and use a level to mark positions for hanging upper cabinets first. Lift wall cabinets into place with the help of another person, and fasten to the studs using long screws. Use shims between the wall and cabinet to level them out before fastening completely.

Make sure adjacent cabinets are secured tightly together and joined properly. Fill any visible gaps with coordinating white caulk for a seamless look.

Installing Base Cabinets

For the lower cabinets, level and secure each base unit to the floor before joining them together. Clamp cabinets side-by-side, pre-drill holes, and screw tightly together through the cabinet fronts and box sides.

Use a scribe to trace irregular floor shapes onto cabinet sides. Cut along the traced lines to ensure bases sit flush against uneven floors.

Adding Drawers and Doors

Once cabinet boxes are installed, attach the coordinating doors, hinges, and handles per the manufacturer’s instructions. Allow doors and drawers to settle for 48 hours post-installation, then make any necessary adjustments.

Install soft-close door hinges and smooth drawer glides for convenience. Keep doors and drawers aligned as you add weight over time.

Finishing Cabinets

Priming and Painting

For a sleek painted finish, start by lightly sanding cabinet surfaces to improve paint adhesion. Apply 1-2 coats of high-quality primer, allowing proper drying time between coats. Then spray or brush on the final enamel paint colors for a smooth, even look.

White paint helps brighten up small, dark spaces. For a true white finish, use a bright white paint rather than an off-white or cream tone.

Staining and Sealing

To accentuate the natural woodgrain, apply an oil-based stain in the desired hue. Wipe the stain over cabinet surfaces evenly using a clean, lint-free cloth. Allow the stain to fully cure before protecting with 3-4 coats of a non-yellowing polyurethane.

Glazing Technique

For an antiqued, worn look, use a glazing technique over cured paint. Brush dark glaze over the recessed cabinet panels and details, then immediately wipe away the excess using a clean cloth.

This provides a more dimensional, aged look compared to standard painted cabinets. The glazed recesses juxtapose nicely against the clean white Shaker doors and cabinet edges.

Final Touches

Add the finishing touches by installing the knobs, pulls, and other hardware you’ve selected. Look for satin nickel or matte black finishes to complement the classic white style.

Fill any visible gaps around the cabinets with coordinating white trim pieces. Make any final door and drawer adjustments after loading in kitchen contents to ensure proper alignment.

Finally, thoroughly clean all cabinet surfaces inside and out before use. Hampton Bay's white Shaker-style cabinets now present a light, airy look that will elevate your kitchen aesthetic for years to come.

With proper planning and installation, it’s possible to integrate Hampton Bay cabinets into your kitchen seamlessly. While less expensive than premium brands, Hampton Bay still delivers exceptional quality and durability.

Their versatile white Shaker cabinet line provides a timeless look and bright, welcoming ambiance. Follow these tips for installing and finishing your Hampton Bay cabinets, and you’ll have a cohesive kitchen design that maximizes function and aesthetic appeal.