IKEA Cabinets Before or After Flooring? The #1 Mistake to Avoid

You’re standing in the middle of a kitchen remodel. The old cabinets are gone, the walls are ready, and boxes of flat-pack IKEA furniture are stacked high. Now comes the paralyzing question: should you install your new IKEA cabinets before or after the flooring?

This single decision can derail your entire project, leading to trapped appliances, awkward countertop heights, and voided warranties. Get it wrong, and a simple flooring swap in the future could turn into a full-blown kitchen demolition.

The debate rages online, with passionate arguments on both sides. But the truth is, the “right” answer depends entirely on your specific situation, and most importantly, on the unique design of IKEA’s cabinet system.

The Core Conflict: Cabinets First vs. Flooring First

The central issue boils down to two opposing schools of thought. Traditionally, many contractors install cabinets directly onto the subfloor and then lay the finished flooring around them. Others insist that running the flooring wall-to-wall first is the only truly professional method.

Understanding the pros and cons of each approach is the first step toward making an informed decision that you won’t regret years down the line.

The “Cabinets First” Method: A Stable but Inflexible Choice

Placing cabinets directly on the subfloor seems logical at first glance. It provides an incredibly stable, level foundation for the cabinets, which are then shimmed as needed to be perfectly level. This method also saves a small amount of money since you aren’t purchasing flooring material that will be hidden under cabinets.

However, this approach has significant long-term drawbacks. The most critical issue is the potential to “trap” your appliances. If you install 3/4-inch hardwood flooring after your cabinets are set, the opening for your dishwasher is now 3/4 of an inch shorter. This can make it incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to remove the appliance for repairs or replacement without damaging the floor or countertop.

The “Flooring First” Method: The Gold Standard for Flexibility

Installing your finished flooring from wall to wall before any cabinets go in is often considered the superior method. It creates a continuous, level surface across the entire room. This provides ultimate flexibility, allowing you to change your kitchen’s layout in the future without having to patch or replace the entire floor.

This method ensures your appliances will slide in and out easily and that your final countertop height is correct and ergonomic. The primary downside is the upfront cost of the extra flooring material and the risk of damaging the beautiful new floor during the cabinet installation process. However, the most significant complication arises with a specific type of flooring.

Your Flooring Type is the Most Important Factor

The debate between cabinets-first and flooring-first is rendered moot by one critical detail: the type of flooring you’ve chosen. This single factor will dictate the correct installation order, and ignoring it can lead to catastrophic floor failure.

Critical Warning for Floating Floors (LVP, Laminate)

Floating floors, such as Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and laminate, are designed to expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. They must be able to “float” freely. You should never install heavy, fixed objects like kitchen cabinets directly on top of a floating floor.

Pinning the floor down with thousands of pounds of cabinets and countertops prevents this necessary movement. This can cause the flooring to buckle, warp, or separate at the seams, completely ruining your investment and voiding the manufacturer’s warranty.

Glued, Nailed, or Mortared Floors (Hardwood, Tile)

Floors that are permanently fixed to the subfloor, like solid hardwood, engineered wood that is glued or nailed down, and ceramic or porcelain tile, do not have this issue. These materials are stable and do not require an expansion gap around the perimeter of the room in the same way. For these flooring types, installing the flooring wall-to-wall before the cabinets is the highly recommended professional standard.

The IKEA SEKTION Advantage: A Hybrid Solution

This is where the unique design of IKEA’s SEKTION kitchen system changes everything. Unlike traditional cabinets that have a solid base, IKEA cabinets are mounted on a suspension rail and supported by adjustable plastic legs. The cabinet boxes themselves “float” off the ground.

This clever design allows for a “hybrid” installation method that combines the best of both worlds, especially when dealing with floating floors. It sidesteps the entire debate and provides a nearly foolproof path to a perfect installation.

This system makes leveling cabinets on an uneven floor significantly easier. Rather than laboriously shimming a heavy cabinet box, you can make fine adjustments by simply turning the feet up or down to achieve a perfectly level and plumb installation. This is a massive advantage for DIY installers.

Feature	Traditional “Cabinets First”	“Flooring First” (Fixed Floors)	IKEA Hybrid Method (All Floors)
Appliance Trapping Risk	High	Low	Low
Future Flexibility	Low	High	High
Floating Floor Compatible	Yes	No (Voids Warranty)	Yes
Cost of Materials	Lower	Higher	Higher
Labor Complexity	Moderate (Scribing Required)	High (Risk of Damage)	Moderate (Best of Both)
Overall Recommendation	Not Recommended	Best for Tile/Hardwood	Best for All Scenarios

The Professional IKEA “Hybrid” Installation Method: A Step-by-Step Guide

For a flawless installation with any flooring type, especially floating floors, follow this sequence. This method leverages the IKEA SEKTION suspension rail and legs to your advantage.

Step 1: Mark Your Layout and Install the Suspension Rail. Before any flooring is down, prepare your walls. Mark your stud locations and draw a precise, level line for the height of your base cabinets. Secure the IKEA suspension rail to the wall studs as per the instructions. Getting this rail perfectly level is the most critical step.

Step 2: Assemble and Hang Your Cabinet Boxes. Assemble your IKEA base cabinet boxes, but do not attach the plastic legs yet. Hang the cabinet boxes on the suspension rail. This gets them off the subfloor and perfectly aligned.

Step 3: Install Your Finished Flooring. With the cabinets hanging securely on the wall, you can now install your flooring. Run the flooring underneath the hanging cabinet boxes, getting as close to the wall as practical. For floating floors, this allows you to maintain the required expansion gap near the wall without issue.

Step 4: Attach and Adjust the Cabinet Legs. Once the flooring is complete, you can now attach the adjustable legs to the bottom of the cabinets. Screw them down until they make firm contact with your new finished floor, providing solid support. Use a level on top of the cabinets to make any final, minute adjustments for a perfectly level surface.

Step 5: Install Toe-Kicks and Finish Panels. With the cabinets fully supported by the rail and the legs, you can now clip on the IKEA toe-kicks. The toe-kick will neatly cover the gap between the cabinet bottom and your new floor, including the legs and any expansion gaps.

Avoiding the Most Common Installation Disasters

Proper planning prevents poor performance. Beyond the floor, several related issues can arise if the installation sequence isn’t carefully considered.

Appliance Entrapment and Countertop Height

The most common disaster is trapping the dishwasher. Standard countertop height is 36 inches from the finished floor. If you install cabinets on the subfloor and then add thick flooring, your countertop height will be lower, and your dishwasher opening will be shorter. This detail can be a symptom of larger layout issues, much like how an over-range microwave cabinet being too low can indicate problems with upper cabinet placement.

Making the Right Cabinet Choice

While this guide focuses on IKEA, the principles apply broadly. It’s always wise to compare options. Many homeowners conduct a detailed Costco kitchen cabinets vs IKEA analysis to weigh cost against features. For those seeking different styles or construction, exploring brands like KraftMaid Momentum can provide valuable perspective before committing to an ecosystem.

The Final Verdict: What Is the Correct Order?

So, should you install IKEA cabinets before or after flooring? The answer, thanks to IKEA’s design, is a nuanced “both.”

For floating floors (LVP, laminate), you must use the hybrid method. Hang the cabinets on the rail first, install the flooring underneath, and then attach the legs. This is non-negotiable to protect your floor’s warranty and integrity.

For fixed floors (tile, nailed/glued hardwood), you have a choice. While you can install the flooring first, wall-to-wall, the IKEA hybrid method is still an excellent, efficient, and safe way to proceed. It protects your new floor from the scuffs and scrapes of cabinet installation while ensuring a perfect final result.