Level Wobbly Kitchen Cabinets With Adjustable Feet

If you've noticed that your kitchen cabinets have begun to sag, detach from walls, or simply feel unstable when opening, it likely means they are no longer properly level. There are a few common reasons home kitchen cabinets can become uneven and wobbly over time:

Settling of the house's foundation is a major cause of kitchen cabinet bases becoming misaligned. As homes naturally settle, subtle shifts in the framing can cause the cabinet boxes to pull away from the wall they were originally installed against. If neighboring cabinets are still attached securely, it creates an uneven look.

Floors themselves can also settle or become unleveled. Older homes tend to have more dramatic uneven spots as floor joists sag and boards warp. If the floor below the kitchen sinks slightly, cabinets will tilt off-axis to match the new plane.

The natural breakdown of cabinet box structure is another factor. As wood cabinets age, the joints begin to loosen and boxes lose their rigidity. The constant opening/closing of doors also stresses connections. Low quality or improper original installation will lead to faster deterioration.

Problems Caused by Unstable Cabinets

Having kitchen cabinets that rock back and forth or fail to sit flush against walls or floors causes a range of both cosmetic and functional issues:

• Cabinet doors and drawers will not open or close smoothly, often catching on surrounding cabinets or each other.
• Items stored inside cabinets can shift around or even fall out if the box tips too far forward when opened.
• Appliances like dishwashers and refrigerators may not slide cleanly into the allotted space between countertops and upper cabinets.

Uneven cabinets are more than just a minor annoyance--they disrupt the entire workflow of the kitchen. Fortunately, there are ways to straighten and strengthen wobbly cabinets so they function properly again.

When To Adjust Cabinet Feet Levels

The ideal time to adjust cabinet foot levels is during the original installation process. By verifying everything is plumb and stable from the very beginning, you avoid uneven settling. But cabinets can become unleveled at any point, so you may need to re-adjust feet in the following scenarios:

• While replacing the kitchen flooring if you notice cabinets failing to sit flat against the new surface.
• After noticing misalignment issues like gaps between cabinet edges or doors not closing correctly.
• Following any structural settling or movement that throws off previous leveling.

Don't ignore small wobbles or wait until cabinets are severely listing before taking corrective action. Addressing minor foot height problems promptly reduces the chances of damage down the road.

Tools Needed

Leveling existing cabinets requires just a few basic tools and supplies:

• Tape measure
• 4' level or laser level
• Pencil
• Wrench or screwdriver for adjusting feet
• Shims to fill any gaps under cabinets
• New cabinet feet (if re-doing leveling system)

Having an extra set of hands to hold cabinets in place while adjustments are made also simplifies the process.

How To Level Cabinet Bases

Determine Uneven Areas

Start by using a 4-foot level or laser level tool to identify unplumbed areas:

• Check the front of cabinets by placing the level against doors/drawer fronts to see if they tip forward or back.
• Check cabinet sides by running the level vertically to spot any tilt left or right.
• Look for gaps between the bottom cabinet edge and floor or between the top and ceiling/soffits.

Make notes on the specific low spots that require shimming and high spots that can be lowered. This gives a blueprint for adjustments needed.

Adding Shims

For low spots, cut shim pieces to size and tap them firmly into gaps under the cabinet base with a hammer. Hard plastic or wood shims are ideal. Shim thickness is based on the measurement of the gap (for example, a 1/4" gap needs a 1/4" shim).

Shims should run with the cabinet front-to-back rather than side-to-side. Make sure they sit flush and are supported properly. Add enough shims to achieve a level cabinet height.

Installing Adjustable Feet

If simply shimming under cabinets won't work or you want a more adjustable solution, install new leveling cabinet feet:

1. Mark locations on the cabinet kickboard or base where new feet should attach, evenly spacing them apart.
2. Drill pilot holes in the marked spots and fasten cabinet feet in place with screws.
3. Turn the adjustable portion of each foot to incrementally raise or lower that corner.

Getting all the feet to sit flush and share the cabinet's weight evenly is the goal. Take your time making micro-adjustments to get it right.

Re-checking with Level

After adding shims or installing feet, use the level again to verify cabinets now have an even plane. Tweak any remaining problem spots by adding another shim or giving feet another partial turn.

Your patience will be rewarded when you can open doors smoothly and see a tight, consistent alignment across bases, sides, and tops.

Types of Adjustable Cabinet Feet

There are several types of leveling feet that work for adjusting wobbly kitchen cabinets:

• Round screw-in feet - These have a circular metal plate that attaches to the base and a screw-like foot that turns to adjust height.
• Rectangular bolt-on feet - Similar style but with a rectangular base plate and hex screw foot for dialing in height.
• Hidden leveling legs - Built-in metal threaded shafts concealed within cabinet that click into place.
• Decorative bracket feet - Ornate metal feet that attach to base and use hub to adjust height.

Choose cabinet feet that will support the size and weight of your filled cabinets. Also ensure the feet can be adjusted enough to compensate for any slopes in the flooring.

Achieving Full Contact with Floor

When installing leveling feet on wobbly cabinets, an important goal is achieving full contact with the floor. This provides stability and evenly transfers weight. To accomplish this:

• Feet should be spaced apart to share weight distribution rather than clustered together.
• Adjust each foot so the entire base sits flat, not just the corners or edges.
• Add shims under any spots the feet can't fully contact due to significant floor unevenness.

Avoid simply propping cabinets up on a few isolated feet points. Flat footing spreads structural forces evenly and prevents rocking.

Decorating Cabinet Bases Afterwards

With cabinets re-leveled, you can take steps to decorate the previously hidden base:

• Attach trim pieces like baseboard, quarter round, or lattice along the bottom edges for a built-in look.
• Install new toe kick boards across the bases to provide a finished look and hide leveling feet.
• Add stylish brass or wooden bun feet over leveling hardware to enhance the aesthetic.

Choose base decor that fits your kitchen's design scheme. Accentuate the freshly leveled cabinets with functional and beautiful new touches.

Mixing and Matching Foot Styles

While uniform cabinet feet can provide a clean look, mixing and matching different foot styles is another creative option. For example, you could combine:

• Ornate brass feet on island cabinets and simple black metal feet on perimeter cabinets
• Chunky wooden feet on lower cabinets and sleek metal feet on uppers
• Colorful glass globe feet on open shelving units and matte black bracket feet on closed cabinetry

The contrast of complimentary foot designs can add stylistic interest. Just ensure varying foot sizes all adjust to the proper height.

Using Different Cabinet Foot Materials

In addition to the commonly used metal and wood, alternative materials can provide unique visual appeal:

• Glass - Clear or colored glass feet add gleam and reflect surrounding light.
• Acrylic - Tinted acrylic has an eye-catching translucent quality.
• Ceramic - Glazed ceramic feet provide ultra-durable, glossy pops of color.
• Stone - Natural stone surfaces like marble or granite offer elegance.

For a bit of novelty that still complements the overall kitchen design, step outside the standard foot material box.

Considering Foot Size and Placement

Creatively configuring the size and location of cabinet feet opens up additional design possibilities:

• Installing several small feet along the entire base instead of just at the corners creates a seamless linear look.
• Using a few oversized feet on heavy cabinets like sinks or stoves visually grounds them.
• Clustering miniature feet close together under open cabinets builds intriguing geometric patterns.

You're not limited to just the hidden space under toe kicks--feet can be decoratively integrated across the entire cabinet base area.

Coordinating Feet with Kitchen Design

Whatever foot style you choose, ensure it coordinates well with the overall kitchen aesthetic. Some tips for harmonizing feet and kitchen design:

• Select foot metal finishes that match existing hardware and fixtures.
• Choose wood feet that coordinate with cabinet door species and colors.
• Include painted accent colors from other parts of the kitchen.
• Alternatively, make feet a bold contrasting color that pops dramatically.

A holistic design perspective ensures even the feet make sense within the overall visual story of the kitchen.

Considering Cabinet Foot Maintenance

Though we don't often think about having to maintain kitchen cabinet feet, certain materials do require occasional upkeep to look their best and prevent deterioration:

• Wood - Refinish periodically to restore luster and protect from moisture.
• Metal - Clean fingerprints and dust buildup to prevent corrosion.
• Glass/Acrylic - Use glass cleaner to prevent clouding and scuffs.

Check feet regularly when cleaning the kitchen. Proactive care preserves their like-new appearance.

Determining Decorative Foot Budget

Like most home projects, setting a cabinet foot budget helps guide choices:

• Simple metal feet start under $5 each, while intricately forged brass feet can cost over $50 apiece.
• Machine-cut wood feet are budget friendly, but hand-carved options are an investment.
• Multiple smaller feet generally cost more overall than a few large statement feet.

Know your target budget, then select feet with the right balance of visual appeal, quality, and cost.

Some cabinet types may need customization to properly install decorative feet:

• Factory-built cabinets often have recessed bases requiring trim furring to create an edge for attaching feet.
• Older odd-sized cabinets may not align with standardized foot locations.
• Custom built-ins may necessitate carefully templated foot placement for ideal support.

If your cabinets have unique requirements, choose feet that can adapt to them for a polished finished look.

By considering all the options for styling, positioning, and installing kitchen cabinet feet, you can take your kitchen design to the next level. Decorative feet provide both form and function.