Custom Plywood Bases For IKEA Sektion Cabinets

I'll be doing this soon, I've built an ikea kitchen with the legs before and you're right, it's a real pain.

Awesome technique dude. Have you had problems with the cabinets showing up with different heights?

Do you use the IKEA toekicks or something else? If IKEA, how do you fasten them to these bases?

Thank you for the tips!

I watched your video from a few years ago and tried this box method. I find though that it adds unnecessary time and undervalues the true game changer of the Ikea system: the rail. I found it easier to set the rail with a laser, hang the base cabinets, and then create a series of 10" long blocks composed of 3-4 2x4s (4.5-6" high). This block spans between each adjoining cabinet. 2 screws to attach the block to the floor, and a simple shim above the block bring the front of the cabinet to the laser line (reset at the back of cabinet height). I can make these blocks out of scraps in less than 15 minutes. Instead of needing to shim them at all four corners like you need to do for your boxes, the rail sets the back of cabinet height perfectly. The blocks bring the front of cabinet height to within 1/8-1/2" of laser, and the shim on top of block and below the cabinet takes less than a minute to bring the front of cabinet height up to the laser. The blocks can be set say 3" back from cabinet face for a standard toekick, and they're wood, so you can nail any type of trim or cut down Ikea panel into them. I've really appreciated your channel, just feel this method saves lots of time, material, and ease.

Looks and sounds sturdy. Putting your plan to use in the coming weeks. Thanks

👍👍👍

Do you lay the bases over lvp flooring??

Putting in a Ikea kitchen for a new build. Floor is heated concrete. Really want to use your idea for the bases. Any suggestions to secure them. I was thinking adhesive and securing with screws to the wall. Any other suggestions would be great. Also I have watched your Ikea bid videos twice. Will be reviewing them again before I start. Thanks for the great tips.

Hi Kody, My builder has installed an Ikea Metod kitchen. He used the legs that came with it.Its a stone house with a very bowed wall. He shimmed the rail. The slate floor is was terribly uneven and on a 5cm slope. He says he tried to level it out under the cabinets. Now I'm worried the legs aren't going to be strong enough to support the cabinets?

Hi Kody, currently considering an Ikea kitchen, using your base system, and finishing tips. I would be really interested to know how the Ikea kitchens you have installed held up over a few years of use and how they compare to other systems, or a well made custom kitchen. They look really good on day 1, what about 10 years down the road, will I be planning on replacement the day after the warrantee ends? I will be installing in my house and hope to get many years of good usage out of the kitchen.

Great idea!How would you install double wall cabinets? We plan to install 2 different sizes on the wall to make it all the way to the ceiling height(108"). Seems like no guide on this recorded yet. Thanks

Great job as usual. I also prefer the plywood bases. Though it sure is nice for running wires, water lines, etc. with open kicks. I do reinforce the boxes with backs with 1/2 plywood. Then dont use the rails.
Ever used a 38 corner cabinet for a double split sink Faucet in the center of the two sinks,Then rejig/reinforce the corner for the quartz tops.

Your videos have helped me tremendously! Thank you

Nice job, i built my own cabinets and wanted to set on similar type base. I simply ripped 2 x 6” spruce to the height I wanted with ends and cross pieces. Quick easy strong. Less work I believe.

Have you ever created toe kick drawers beneath an Ikea cabinet? We're about to install an Ikea kitchen but want a finished countertop height of ~37.5". I'm wondering if I can make use of that space beneath the cabinets!

Great info Kody! I install my cabinets with plywood bases every time. One small modification, I don’t permanently leave shims under the bases, I shim the base level, then attach small (3-4 inch long) base cutoffs as feet. I shim to level, then clamp and glue and screw this foot on the inside of the base framing, giving a larger footprint for the base to rest against the floor.

So, do you build one base per cabinet or would you build one base that spans the entire wall of three or four bases? One base would be easier to level, perhaps multiple bases easier to manage base variances? Your thoughs?

Every time I see these bases, I wonder how you attach the toekicks to the flat front? As far as I know, Ikea uses a plastic piece for their toekicks that have grooves in them to click on to the feet. If you don't use the feet, I am not sure how you would attach them.

Just subscribed. This was soo helpful! We are just adding on two cabinets to our existing builder grade ones to extend our back counter and didn't want to be bothered with those plastic feet or getting the toe kicks to match. Can I just spray the bottom of this plywood base with the same color we're painting the cabinets and be done with it?

hi kody,I love your channel. We are following your advice on using costume bases, how do you attach them to the wall?. Do you use L-brackets, screws to the studs, etc.

love the videos! Do you treat the wood with anything to add water resistance to the plywood? Just worried if anything spills/leaks/break could be in a world of trouble if you dont catch it quick

Kody - how do you handle installing a base where the kitchen sink drain line pushes the Sheetrock into a bit of a bow at the bottom
Of the wall?

Instead of doing this just get 2x4 and structual stews and it will be way stronger than this. Cost about the same, and quicker to put together.

Hey Kodi. I love your channel. Ton’s of useful information with clear, concise teaching methods. I will be installing cabinets in a small kitchen in a older house that has a severe slope from the front to back of around 3/4 inch per 10 foot. Question I have is should the plywood bases be cut to address this slope or would you use shims to level the plywood bases?

folks, this guy is well intentioned but doesn't understand how the Ikea assembly system works. With the ikea system you put the rail on the wall, and hook the cabinets on the rail. That levels the back of the cabinets by default. All you have to do is adjust the front feet. Dont do it the way he's showing. It's tons of extra work that wont result in an adjustable installation. Trust the Ikea system.

So… do you glue the toe kicks into place or do you use something other than Ikea toe kicks?

I'm doing an island with 4 cabinets- 2 back to back on each side. How would you recommend doing a base for that one?

Hello, Thank you for the video. I have a question about the cabinets in this video. I see that you have the brown wood panel base cabinet frame. However, at the Ikea in the U.S., they only carry white frame base cabinet. Are these from Ikea, or are they from another manufacturer? Thanks!

Wouldnt the rails make the base cabinets leveled? So why a wood base? Personally, I am planning on doing a wood base like yours but for weight reason. I just dont know how a railing could support that weight of a countertop and cabinets. I am pretty sure the plastic legs doesnt do anything other than to attach the toekicks to

I built these bases for my ikea kitchen. Really appreciated your videos, turned out great, very solid.

Thank you Kody. I installed ikea sektion before on their adjustable legs and always thought they were flimsy. They also don’t allow for east base install. Thank you again for taking the time to post a video I really needed to help me out for new set of cabinet installation

where do you place the L vs U in the frame?