What Order to Install an IKEA Kitchen: The Correct Sequence
What Order to Install an IKEA Kitchen: The Correct Sequence
The order in which you tackle each phase of an IKEA kitchen installation matters enormously. Do things in the wrong sequence and you end up removing finished work to access something behind it, or waiting days for one trade to finish before the next can start, or worse — discovering that a critical step was skipped entirely.
The correct sequence is not always intuitive. Why do upper cabinets go in before base cabinets? Why does the countertop template happen before toe kicks? Why should the backsplash wait until after the countertop is installed?
This guide explains the correct order for every phase of an IKEA SEKTION kitchen installation and — just as importantly — explains why each step belongs where it does in the sequence.
The Complete Installation Sequence
Here is the full sequence, from empty kitchen to finished product. Each phase is discussed in detail below.
- Pre-installation verification
- Demolition
- Structural modifications
- Plumbing and electrical rough-in
- Rough-in inspections
- Wall repair and preparation
- Flooring (in most cases)
- Suspension rail installation
- Upper cabinet installation
- Base cabinet installation
- Countertop templating
- Plumbing and electrical finish (partial)
- Doors, drawers, and hardware
- Toe kicks, fillers, and cover panels
- Countertop installation
- Final plumbing connections
- Backsplash installation
- Appliance installation
- Crown molding and trim
- Final adjustments and punch list
Now let us walk through each phase with the reasoning behind the order.
Phase 1: Pre-Installation Verification (1-2 Weeks Before)
What: Unpack and inventory every IKEA box. Cross-reference against your order and kitchen plan. Assemble one or two test cabinets to verify parts.
Why this comes first: Discovering a missing or damaged part after demolition leaves you without a functioning kitchen while you wait for replacements. Finding problems now gives you time to resolve them before the clock starts.
What can go wrong if you skip this: Missing parts halt the installation mid-project. Damaged items require returns and exchanges that can take a week or more.
Phase 2: Demolition (Day 1-2)
What: Remove old cabinets, countertops, backsplash, and appliances. Disconnect plumbing and electrical.
Why this comes second: Everything old must come out before new work can begin. You cannot assess the true wall and floor conditions until the old kitchen is removed.
Sequence within demolition:
- Disconnect and remove appliances
- Remove upper cabinets (from ends toward center)
- Remove countertops
- Remove base cabinets
- Remove backsplash and wall trim
- Remove old flooring if being replaced
Phase 3: Structural Modifications (Day 2-3)
What: Remove or modify walls, add headers for load-bearing wall openings, reinforce floors, repair structural damage found during demolition.
Why this comes now: Structural work must happen before plumbing, electrical, and cabinets go in. Moving a wall after pipes are run or cabinets are hung means doing everything twice.
Common structural work in mid-Atlantic kitchens:
- Opening a wall between kitchen and dining room
- Adding a support beam where a wall was removed
- Sistering deteriorated floor joists
- Reinforcing the subfloor for a heavy stone countertop or island
Phase 4: Plumbing and Electrical Rough-In (Day 3-5)
What: Run new plumbing supply and drain lines. Run new electrical circuits. Position supply stubs, drain stubs, and electrical boxes per the IKEA kitchen plan.
Why this comes before walls are closed and before cabinets: Rough-in means the wiring and pipes are in the walls and floors but not connected to anything yet. This work is messy and requires opening walls — it cannot happen with cabinets on the wall.
Critical coordination point: Your plumber and electrician need the IKEA kitchen plan with exact cabinet positions. Supply and drain stub positions must align with the SEKTION cabinet dimensions. See our guides on plumbing rough-in and electrical requirements.
Phase 5: Rough-In Inspections (Day 5-6)
What: The local building inspector verifies that plumbing and electrical rough-in meets code. This happens while walls are still open and work is visible.
Why this cannot be skipped or delayed: Closing walls over uninspected work can result in the inspector requiring you to open them again. In PA, DE, MD, and DC, failing to get required inspections can affect your ability to sell the home later.
Timing tip: Schedule inspections as soon as rough-in is complete. Inspector availability varies by jurisdiction — in busy counties, you may wait 3 to 5 business days for an appointment.
Phase 6: Wall Repair and Preparation (Day 6-7)
What: Patch drywall, repair plaster, address water damage, sand high spots, and prepare walls to receive the suspension rail and cabinets.
Why this follows rough-in: The rough-in phase often opens walls and creates additional damage that needs repair. Doing wall prep before rough-in means doing it twice.
For detailed wall prep guidance: See our wall preparation guide.
Phase 7: Flooring (Day 7-9)
What: Install new kitchen flooring — tile, hardwood, LVP, or whatever the homeowner has chosen.
Why flooring goes in before cabinets (usually):
This is one of the most debated sequencing questions in kitchen renovation. There are valid arguments both ways, but we recommend flooring first in most cases:
- Flooring under the cabinets creates a consistent level surface for cabinet legs
- If you ever rearrange or replace cabinets, there is no flooring gap to deal with
- The dishwasher slides in and out easily for future service
- Measurement is simpler when the finished floor height is established
The exception: Expensive hardwood or tile can be installed around the cabinets to save material cost. If taking this approach, install flooring to within 1/4 inch of the cabinet toe kick line and plan accordingly.
Phase 8: Suspension Rail Installation (Day 9-10)
What: Mount the IKEA SEKTION suspension rail to the wall at the precise height and level determined by your plan.
Why this is the first cabinet step: The rail is the foundation for all upper cabinets. It must be level, securely anchored into studs, and at exactly the right height. Everything that follows depends on this rail.
Our complete guide: IKEA SEKTION suspension rail installation.
Phase 9: Upper Cabinet Installation (Day 10)
What: Hang and level all upper cabinets on the suspension rail. Connect adjacent cabinets with screws.
Why uppers go before bases: Working at the upper portion of the wall is dramatically easier without base cabinets, countertops, and appliances in the way. You can stand closer to the wall, reach the suspension rail comfortably, and use a stepladder without obstruction.
Phase 10: Base Cabinet Installation (Day 10-11)
What: Set all base cabinets, level them on adjustable legs, connect them together, and anchor to the wall.
Why bases follow uppers: With the uppers already in place, you can verify the gap between upper and base cabinets matches your plan as you set each base cabinet.
Phase 11: Countertop Templating (Day 11-12)
What: For stone or quartz countertops, a templater from the fabrication shop creates an exact template of the countertop shape by placing template material on the base cabinets and tracing the contours.
Why this follows base cabinets: The template is taken from the actual installed cabinets, not from the plan. This accounts for any real-world variations in cabinet position, wall contour, and dimensions.
Timing note: After templating, fabrication typically takes 5 to 10 business days. This creates a gap in the project that can be used for other work.
Phase 12: Partial Plumbing and Electrical Finish (During Wait)
What: Install outlet boxes, mount receptacles, and install switches. Connect dishwasher wiring. Install under-cabinet lighting drivers and wiring inside cabinets.
Why during the countertop wait: These tasks do not require the countertop and can be done during the fabrication gap.
Phase 13: Doors, Drawers, and Hardware (During Wait)
What: Install doors, drawers, drawer fronts, shelf pins, and internal cabinet accessories. Perform initial alignment.
Why during the countertop wait: Like the electrical work above, this fills the fabrication gap productively.
Phase 14: Toe Kicks, Fillers, and Cover Panels (During Wait)
What: Cut and install toe kicks, filler strips, and cover panels.
Why during the wait: These finishing pieces transform the look of the kitchen. Doing them during the countertop fabrication gap keeps the project moving. See our guides on toe kick installation and filler pieces and panels.
Phase 15: Countertop Installation (Day 18-20)
What: The fabricated countertop is delivered and installed on the base cabinets.
Why this comes after all cabinet work: The countertop sits on finished, leveled, and stable base cabinets. Doing additional cabinet work after the countertop is in place risks damaging the countertop.
Phase 16: Final Plumbing Connections (Day 20)
What: Install the sink, faucet, garbage disposal, and dishwasher water connections. Connect all supply and drain lines.
Why this follows countertop: The sink mounts in or on the countertop. Plumbing connections cannot be completed until the sink is in place.
Phase 17: Backsplash Installation (Day 20-22)
What: Install tile, stone, or panel backsplash between the countertop and the upper cabinets.
Why this follows countertop: The backsplash sits on top of the countertop and terminates at the bottom of the upper cabinets. Both surfaces must be in their final position before the backsplash is cut and installed.
Phase 18: Appliance Installation (Day 22)
What: Install the range, refrigerator, microwave, range hood, and dishwasher.
Why near the end: Appliances are the final functional elements. They need countertops, plumbing, and electrical to all be in place.
Phase 19: Crown Molding and Trim (Day 22-23)
What: Install crown molding, light rail molding, and any other trim pieces.
Why near the end: Trim is purely cosmetic and can be damaged by the traffic of earlier phases. Saving it for the end keeps it pristine.
Phase 20: Final Adjustments and Punch List (Day 23)
What: Final door and drawer alignment (countertop weight may have shifted things), caulking, touch-up paint, hardware tightening, thorough cleaning, and homeowner walkthrough.
Why last: This is the fine-tuning pass. Everything needs to be in final position before adjustments are meaningful.
Sequencing Mistakes That Cause Problems
- Installing backsplash before countertop: Leaves a gap or misalignment between the two surfaces
- Connecting plumbing before countertop: The sink is not in its final position, resulting in rework
- Installing flooring after cabinets: Creates flooring gaps that show if cabinets are ever moved
- Closing walls before rough-in inspection: The inspector may require you to open them again
- Ordering countertop templates before base cabinets are installed: Templates need to capture the actual installed cabinet positions
- Installing crown molding before countertops: Countertop weight can shift base cabinets, which in turn affects upper cabinet alignment, which affects crown molding fit
- Painting walls before cabinet installation: The suspension rail installation, drilling, and cabinet handling will mar fresh paint. Paint after cabinets are up and before or after the backsplash
Coordinating Multiple Trades
One of the biggest challenges in kitchen renovation is coordinating different professionals — the cabinet installer, plumber, electrician, countertop fabricator, tile setter, and painter all need to work in the correct sequence.
Scheduling Tips for Mid-Atlantic Projects
Book trades early: In the busy spring and summer renovation season across PA, DE, MD, and DC, popular contractors book 4 to 8 weeks in advance. Schedule all trades as soon as your IKEA order is confirmed.
Build in buffer days: Leave one to two buffer days between each phase for inspections, unexpected delays, and drying times. A tight schedule with no buffer means one delay cascades through the entire project.
Communicate the sequence to every trade: Give each contractor a copy of the full project schedule showing when they work and what needs to be complete before they arrive. Plumbers and electricians especially need to know the cabinet plan and the expected rough-in completion date.
Designate a project manager: Someone needs to coordinate between trades, schedule inspections, and make day-of decisions. If you hire a general contractor or a full-service installation company like Kitchen Fitters, this coordination is handled for you. For DIY projects, you are the project manager.
Professional Sequencing Saves Time and Money
At Kitchen Fitters, our project managers follow this precise sequence on every IKEA kitchen installation across Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington DC. Proper sequencing reduces rework to nearly zero and keeps the project on schedule. Schedule a consultation and let us manage your kitchen renovation from start to finish.