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How to Support "Floating" Base Cabinets
Question
Forum Responses
From contributor D: I'd say you could set the toe kick back less than 12" and get the same effect. It would probably start to disappear around 7" or so. Go with a color similar to the floor, maybe a little darker; black might work depending on the surroundings. From contributor J: If these are frameless, you could cheat by using 1" thick ply for the cabinet bottoms. This would definitely beef them up a bit. If framed, I agree with contributor F. Remember, wall cabinets are 12" of unsupported bottom. All the weight supported by the backs. The base may be abused more, so a little extra in the construction can't hurt. From contributor T: Your cabinets should be able to give the impression that they are floating with the dimensions that you have given. The cabinet must be securely fastened to a wall cleat through the back of at least 1/2" thickness. If the cabinet were set off the floor at least 10", then it will give a better floating look. Also, if you include an intense bottom light (like white neon), then the illusion of floating will be greatly enhanced because the recessed base will be totally obliterated from view. From contributor P: Thank you all for your responses. I am building frameless cabinets which will be made of melamine. The ideas that you have come up with will definitely improve my project. I'm thinking of incorporating the following aspects. 1) extra material on the bottom of the cabinet, 2) change the recess to something less than 12", 3) use a toe kick the same color as the floor, and finally 4) use a base lighting to illuminate the float. From contributor L: I think the rule of thirds could be applied here, so I would suggest no more than 8 inches of cantilever for the cabinet. It's a guess, but has a structural base. From contributor O: We have made some floating vanities (frameless melamine) with no toe. The back was 3/4" and rabbeted into the sides. Bottom was just 3/4", but for a kitchen, I think I would stiffen the fronts of the bottom with an apron or something, since they won't have a base to support them and there will likely be more weight in bottom kit cabs than in a vanity. Would you like to add information to this article? Interested in writing or submitting an article? Have a question about this article? Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below? 
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