Hanging Cabinets By Yourself Couldn't Be Easier With This Genius 2x4 Hack

It can feel totally empowering to have a solo DIY moment, especially when you're taking on a big project like a kitchen remodel. But even the boldest and strongest DIY fanatics have to face the fact that pieces like shelves and cabinetry are heavy, and sometimes having two hands isn't enough. That said, there are still ways to (literally) carry the weight on your own. As shared by TikTok user @comestayawhile, the simple way to safely hang up a cabinet on your own requires using a 2x4 wooden board. Essentially, you can use the plank as a mini platform on which the cabinet can rest as you screw it into place. This will make your solo cabinet project more efficient and avoid the risk of dangerous accidents. 

For this awesome hack, all you need is one 2x4 wooden board, which you can purchase from any home improvement retailer like Home Depot or Lowe's. The length of the board will depend on the width of the cabinets you're trying to hang up: you want the board to be long enough that it can support the entire cabinet's width. Cut the board at home or, if that's a little out of your comfort zone, have the board cut for you at the store where you purchase it. After you have your 2x4 board, you're ready to hang up some cabinets all by yourself.

How to hang cabinets by yourself

Start by positioning your 2x4 board on the wall. Orient the plank horizontally and place it directly below where you would like the bottom of the cabinet to sit. Be sure to use your level to check that the board is perfectly straight — if it isn't level, your cabinet will be crooked as well. When the wooden plank is where you want it, use screws to secure it to the wall. Next, pick up your cabinet and hold it against the wall so that the bottom sits on the 2x4 board. The board will help support some of the cabinet's weight, making it easier for you to screw it into the wall along the studs, which you can locate with a stud finder and mark with a laser before beginning this project. 

Always keep one of your hands on the cabinet to hold it in place — the board helps, but for the sake of avoiding accidents, your hand will serve as backup to keep the cabinet from tipping over. Once it is fully secured to the wall, you can remove the 2x4 board. Continue this process for all the cabinets you need to hang. Conveniently, this hack really only requires one 2x4 board since you can keep reusing the same piece over and over again, making this DIY trick extremely budget-friendly. With this simple wooden plank strategy, you'll have all your cabinets up in no time.