Are your kitchen cabinets crushing your newly installed floor? My friend Rebeca went through the same problems, too. She desperately needed help and asked me how to add bun feet to kitchen cabinets.
As someone with 5+ years in DIY projects, here are the things I suggested to her. These tips and tricks helped her immensely, and I am sure they will help you, too.
Bun Feet To Kitchen Cabinets
Adding bun feet to kitchen cabinets is super easy. The only concern is the right measurements. Measure correctly, drill the pilot holes, insert screws or dowel, attach the bun feet, and voila!
Wait! Do not rush. You need to know the whole process before you start. So, let’s continue.
Overview of the project-
| Estimated Cost | Estimated Duration | Skill Level |
| $150 | 3 hours | Beginner |
Table of Contents
Some main facts-
How Do I Choose The Right Bun Feet For My Cabinets?
Before going to the process, let me ask you one thing. Do you know how to choose the right bun feet for your kitchen cabinets?
It is extremely important to know to provide a secured base for your cabinets. Here are some things to help you find the best one for you:
Cabinet Style
Consider your cabinet style when choosing bun feet for it. Bun feet are available in a lot of designs. I suggest choosing the one that matches and complements the design and style of your cabinet.
Desired Height
Don’t forget your desired height. It is important, too, as bun feet have different shapes and sizes. Make sure to choose the one that matches the length, depending on how tall you want your cabinet to be.
Material
The material of the bun feet should match the material of your cabinet to complement it.
These are mostly made of wood, but there are also other materials. For example, metals and plastic.
Finish
Make sure to choose the bun feet that match the finish of your cabinet. If you can’t find a suitable match, you can always customize the finish.
Purchase a bun feet that covers all the other aspects, and simply change the finish before installing it under your kitchen cabinets.
Where Should I Place The Bun Feet On My Cabinets?
Before knowing How to attach bun feet? Let’s find out where to place it. It may sound like a small question, but it has great importance.
Rebeca had to go through a lot on her first try just because of the wrong placement. Use these factors as a guideline when placing the bun feet in your cabinets.
Weight Distribution
Weight distribution is the most important thing to consider while choosing the place to attach bun feet.
Place the bun feet in a way that there is even weight distribution in all the bun feet. If there is more weight on one side, the two furniture legs on that side may not be able to bear it and falter.
Balance
The kitchen cabinet should be able to balance with the bun feet, or it will move or wobble and make it difficult to work on the kitchen island.
To ensure balance, the kitchen cabinet feet should be placed symmetrically. It will provide equal weight on all the decorative furniture feet, which will balance the kitchen cabinet.
Height Alignment
If you place one decorative foot in the side and one in the middle, it will make the cabinet slightly bend on the side where there is no support.
So, place the bun feet in a way that the height is aligned with all the parts of the kitchen cabinet. It will ultimately provide even weight distribution and balance.
I don’t want you to spend extra money on this as Rebeca did just because of the wrong decisions. Follow the tips to make the right placement of bun feet in your cabinets.
How To Add Bun Feet To Kitchen Cabinets?
How to add bun feet to kitchen cabinets DIY? These are the steps my friend Rebeca followed and successfully added the bun feet to her kitchen cabinets;
Prepare The Cabinets
It will be difficult for you to work if the cabinets are installed on the wall. So, I suggest taking the cabinets off of the wall and laying them on the floor on their back.
This way, the cabinet bases will be accessible for you to work freely. Clean the cabinet bases to ensure a smooth surface to work on. Well, fix the broken cabinet, if there is any, before placing the bun feet.
Also, if there is any crown molding or decorative trim on the cabinet bases, remove them. Remove the thermofoil from the cabinet feet before adding the bun feet if there are any.
Take Necessary Measurements
First, measure the kitchen cabinet feet. There are a few things you should know to take the perfect measurements.
Here, you need to know something. How do you attach bun feet? There are two ways of attaching bun feet to kitchen cabinets. One is with screws and the other without screws.
To attach with screws, the measurements aren’t that complicated. Measure the bun feet, and depending on the length of the base, mark one to three points.
The difficulty starts when taking measurements for the other method. If the cabinet feet are round, taking measurements of the base is enough.
However, if it is in any other shape, you will be required to take two measurements, like forming a cross and marking the intersection point.
Now, it is time for the base cabinets. The purpose is to find the right place to drill to attach the bun feet.
Measure the corners of the cabinet bases with the measurements of the bun feet. Measure vertically from both sides, like forming a cross, and mark the intersection point.
Drill Pilot Holes
For the screw method, drill the pilot holes in the marked point on the kitchen cabinet feet.
For the without screw method, the sum of both holes (on the cabinet base and bun feet) should be 2 inches. The depth of the hole of bun feet and cabinet base should be respectively 1 ¼ inch and ¾ inch.
Attach The Bun Feet
For the screw method, put the wood screws in the drilled points and place the bun feet on the cabinet base and screw them in.
Make sure the bun feet are not completely on the inside part of the cabinet. It is better to have ⅛ of an inch outside. You can also use hanger bolts instead of screws.
Now, how to add bun feet to kitchen cabinets without screws? Use wood dowels. Put some wood glue on one side of the dowel and push it inside the hole on the bun feet. Use a hammer to fit it inside the gap completely.
Now, put some more glue on the rest of the dowel on the bun feet. Evenly spread them and insert them in the hole in the kitchehen cabinet. Again, use the hammer to push it in. Similarly, attach bun feet on the otr sides.
If the gap in either piece is big the dowel, there are two things you can do. One is you can wrap some dental floss on the dowel before attaching it with wood glue. If needed, in this chance, you may try to add depth to kitchen cabinets.
Well, the other method is for wobbling bun feet. If the nail holes are too big, after attaching the bun feet, use scrap wood (sawdust) and liquid nails mix. You can use a liquid nail gun for better application. It will fill the gaps and secure the joints. You can add the bun feet to the cabinets while installing the backsplash before the cabinets.
Does it look hard? Trust me, this is easier than it seems. You will forget all the hardships when you get the outcome. You can add bun feet to the hickory cabinets and refinish hickory cabinets if needed.
How Do I Ensure The Cabinets Are Level When Adding Bun Feet?
Well, it is simple. All you need is a leveler. Follow these easy steps, and you will find any leveling issues if there are any.
Do not take this lightly. It disrupts the whole balance of the cabinets and makes it wobble. So, you must check it when adding bun feet.
Are There Any Weight Limitations For Adding Bun Feet To Cabinets?
There are some weight limitations that you must consider while adding bun feet to your kitchen cabinets.
Bun feet are simply pieces of wood, and the amount of weight they can bear is limited. There is a different weight limit for each type of bun feet.
I would suggest learning the weight of your kitchen cabinet and checking the manufacturer’s guidelines for the weight limit of that specific design while choosing kitchen cabinet feet.
What Safety Guidance Should You Keep In Mind?
Safety is the first priority. Make sure you follow these tips so that you don’t get hurt during or after the process.
Here’s all from me. I have covered everything that I suggested to Rebeca, which brought great results. I dearly hope it helps you, too!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Do Bun Feet Affect The Storage Space Under The Cabinets?
Bun feet definitely affect the storage space under the cabinet. It adds more storage space under the cabinet. You can increase or decrease by choosing the appropriate length of the bun feet.
Can I Add Bun Feet To Cabinets With Pre-Existing Toe Kicks?
It is possible to add bun feet with pre-existing toe kicks if the specific design of both the cabinet and the toe kicks supports it. However, you must remove or modify the standard toe kicks.
Do I Need Professional Assistance To Add Bun Feet To My Cabinets?
Adding bun feet to kitchen cabinets is a DIY project. So, you might not need any professional assistance. However, if you feel unsure about anything, immediately seek help.
Do Furniture Feet Make Cabinets Look More Expensive?
Yes, furniture feet are also considered decorative pieces as they add value to the furniture pieces and make them more appealing.
Conclusion
How to add bun feet to kitchen cabinets? It is one of the easiest DIY projects in my 5+ years of experience. Just make sure to take the measurements carefully and the rest you know since you have come so far.
You will not require professional assistance and save a lot of money. So, I hope you follow all the tips and tricks. And as always, happy reading!
If you are interested in learning more about Restoring a Cabinet, stay with- Restore Journey.
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