installing base cabinets
 

When installing base kitchen cabinets, is it better to follow the line of the wall or keep the cabinets running straight? If I keep the cabinets running straight I'll end up with a 1/4" gap or so between the last cabinet and the wall. I'm thinking it probably doesn't matter so much for the cabinets, but might make a difference for the counter top.

keep the cabinets straight. the gaps are what they make shims for. if you are getting a backsplash on the counters or backsplash tile 1/4 inch shouldnt make much difference.

Ok, will do, thanks for the advice.

Before you start installing the cabinets, you need to find the high point on the floor and create a level line around the room from that. You then shim up to the line. If they're are any gaps in the back of the cabinets, you need to shim those too. If you screw the cabinets in, pulling them tight to the wall, it will distort the cabinet.
If you find the wall is less then 90 degrees you will need to pull out the corner cabinet enough so the front face frames line up.
You will find out when installing cabinets, walls and floors are not exactly plumb and level.
It's more fun with the wall cabinets.
In either case, the corner cabinet is the key.

^^^^^^What Ron said with CAPITAL letters. If you have access to a laser level it makes the job a lot easier.

The tricky part is figuring out whether you should have a 1/4" gap at the last cabinet or an 1/8" gap at both ends.

If you have a gap at the end, you can use a filler strip, ripped to the width you need.

line the base cabinets up with the wall cabinets and fill where needed. it shouldnt matter where you put it but i cant see it from here so you make the call.