Guide

How to Install Kitchen Handles like a Pro - The Complete Guide

You are finishing up your beautiful kitchen remodel.  The cabinets are installed and they look perfect in your space, matching the vision you had for your new kitchen.  Having spent a great deal of time and money, you are anxious to get the cabinet hardware installed to finish up the remodel.  But you don’t want to ruin the look of your new cabinets by installing the hardware incorrectly!  The placement and installation of cabinet handles are two critical components to ensuring your investment in both time and money aren’t ruined.

Though many possibilities exist for hardware placement, we’ll go over several “rules” to follow that will make your decision about hardware placement much easier.  There are also various methods for installing cabinet hardware, so we’ll go over the industry best practices so you can install your hardware to get professional results.

So where exactly should you place the cabinet hardware on the cabinets to look and function the best?  And what is the best method for installing cabinet hardware?  Follow our guide below!

1. Choosing the Right Location For Cabinet Hardware

The placement of your cabinet hardware will vary depending on the type of hardware.  The size of the hardware can also affect its placement.  Large hardware will need a different placement than smaller hardware.  The placement can also be different for drawers and doors.  There are some general rules to follow.  Below we have outlined the placement for cabinet drawers and cabinet doors.

Cabinet Hardware Placement on Drawers

On drawers, install the pulls horizontally.  The placement of the cabinet hardware from top to bottom can vary.  It could also vary depending on the size of the drawer front.  In general, drawer pulls are going to follow some common placements, just make sure that the placement of the drawer pull doesn’t interfere with the functionality of the drawer.  Common placements for drawer pulls are as follows:

The placement of cabinet hardware is generally centered from left to right on the drawer front on cabinet drawers.  The exception to this is where the drawer width is 24 inches or greater.  In this case, you would have the option to use two drawer knobs or pulls that would be spaced evenly across the width of the drawer front.  To find the best placement, simply hold up both pulls and mark where they are most aesthetically pleasing to you.  There is no exact science to measuring this placement, as it varies based on pull size and drawer width. You could also use an oversized pull that would cover ½ to ⅔ the width of the drawer.  The larger pull covers more area of the drawer front and makes it easier to pull open.

Modern bright kitchen cabinets handle pulls

Cabinet Hardware Placement on Doors

Cabinet hardware placement on doors also varies depending on personal preference and taste.  But, there is a lot less room for interpretation.  The door hardware needs to be functional, so ensure that the hardware placement doesn’t affect the functionality of the cabinet doors..  Below are the general rules for installing cabinet door hardware.

2. How to Install Cabinet Hardware Manually

You have your cabinet hardware.  You have figured out the best placement of the hardware.  How do you install the hardware? 

The most basic method is to measure and mark the holes for your hardware onto every door and drawer completely by hand. Though this method is the cheapest, requiring no additional tools, it is extremely tedious and prone to expensive errors.  Even one mistake is a costly one when it comes to kitchen cabinets.

Installing Hardware on Drawers Manually

1. Measure Width

  • Use a ruler or tape measure to measure the drawer front from left to right and find the center. Make an indication mark with a pencil.

2. Measure Height

  • Measure the height of the drawer and determine the placement of the hardware (e.g. centered, raised, or evenly spaced). Make an indication mark with a pencil.
  • We are centering on height and width in this example.
Forstner Drill Bit

3. Measure Handle Screw Hole Spacing

  • If installing handles, measure the distance between the handle post screw holes.  Divide that measurement in half to get the distance from your center mark.
  • If installing knobs, skip to Step 5.

4. Measure and Mark Hole Positions

  • Mark the position of the handle post screw holes on the drawer front using the center markings as a reference point.

5. Drill Holes

  • Drill the holes for the screws using a 3/16″ (or 5mm) drill bit.

6. Install Hardware & Repeat

  • Install the knob or handle.
  • Repeat measuring, marking, and drilling steps for each additional drawer that you have.

Installing Hardware on Doors Manually

1. Find Placement

  • Hold the hardware up to the door to find the placement you like.

2. Measure Height

  • Measure up from the bottom edge of the upper cabinet door (or top edge of lower cabinet door) to find the precise placement of the hardware. Make an indication mark with a pencil.

3. Measure Width

  • Measure right to left from the edge of the cabinet door (or left to right depending on which way the cabinet door opens) and make an indication mark with a pencil.  
  • Where the two marks intersect will be your knob hole, or first hole for handles.  Make sure it is the hole closest to the door edge.

4. Measure Handle Screw Hole Spacing

  • If installing handles, measure the distance between the handle post screw holes.
  • If installing knobs, skip to Step 6.

5. Transfer Handle Hole Spacing to Door

  • Mark the second hole on the door using the first as a reference point.

7. Drill Holes

  • Drill the holes for the screws using a 3/16″ (or 5mm) drill bit.

7. Install Hardware

  • Install the knob or handle.
  • Repeat measuring, marking, and drilling steps for each additional door that you have.

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3. How to Install Cabinet Hardware Using a Jig

A jig, such as our Cabinet Hardware Jig or our Cabinet Hardware Jig Pro is a very useful tool to have.  It takes the frustration and guesswork out and allows you to install your hardware very quickly and easily.  Because these jigs are precision-machined in the USA, you can be sure that every piece of hardware is perfectly placed and aligned precisely.  The jigs allow for quick, repeatable installation of hardware on many doors and drawer front sizes.

Installing Pulls on Cabinet Drawers

1. Select Hardware

  • Decide which style and size of hardware you want.  It is ideal to choose a style that fits the aesthetic of your kitchen design.

2. Find Desired Placement

  • Place the handle to find the position you like. Mark as needed. 
  • Measure the height and the width of the drawer to find the center of the drawer.  If not centering hardware, you will reference the distance from your marks, to the top and side edges of the drawer front.

Pro Tip: You can use tape or sticky-tack on the back of the hardware to test the location of your hardware.  

3. Set Up Jig

  • Use Hardware Spacing Pins to set spacing and tighten drill guides in place.  Make sure the spacing is the same on both sides of the jig.
  • Transfer your measurements to jig by setting the Large Stop at the desired height (for example, half of the drawer height if centering).

4. Drill & Repeat

  •  Line up the center mark of the drawer with the notch in the Large Stop and push the tool flush with the drawer face.
  • Drill holes using the outermost bushings.
  • Simply repeat the drilling process for any same-sized drawers!
  • You only need to adjust the jig for a different placement or for drawer height differences.
  • Pro Tip: Cover up unused bushings with our Bushing Magnets to reduce the chance of accidental drilling!

5. Install Hardware

  • Fasten the pull to the holes you just drilled.

Installing Knobs on Cabinet Drawers

1. Select Hardware

  • Decide which style and size of hardware you want.  It is ideal to choose a style that fits the aesthetic of your kitchen design.

2. Find Desired Placement

  • Place the knob to find the position you like. Mark as needed. 
  • Measure the height and the width of the drawer to find the center of the drawer.  If not centering hardware, you will reference the distance from your marks, to the top and side edges of the drawer front.

Pro Tip: You can use tape or sticky-tack on the back of the hardware to test the location of your hardware.  

3. Set Up Jig

  • Transfer your measurements to jig by setting the Large Stop at the desired height (for example, half of the drawer height if centering).

4. Drill & Repeat

  •  Line up the center mark of the drawer with the notch in the Large Stop and push the tool flush with the drawer face.
  • Drill hole using the center bushing.
  • Simply repeat the drilling process for any same-sized drawers!
  • You only need to adjust the jig for a different placement or for drawer height differences.

5. Install Hardware

  • Fasten the knob to the hole you just drilled.   

Installing Pulls on Cabinet Doors

1. Select Hardware

  • Decide which style and size of hardware you want.  It is ideal to choose a style that fits the aesthetic of your kitchen design.

2. Find Desired Placement

  • Place the hardware to find the position you like. Mark bottom hole location.
  • Measure the the distance from your bottom hole mark, to the bottom and side edges of the door.
Pro Tip: You can use tape or sticky-tack on the back of the hardware to test the location of your hardware. 

3. Set Up Jig

  • Use Hardware Spacing Pins to set spacing and tighten drill guides in place.  Make sure the spacing is the same on both sides of the jig.
  • Transfer your measurements to jig by setting the End Stop to the measurement you took from the bottom edge of the door to your mark.
  • Set the Large Stop to the measurement you took from the side edge of the door to your mark. 

4. Drill & Repeat

  • Hold the tool firmly against the door and drill through the center bushing for the bottom hole.  Drill through the drill guide for the top hole.
  • Flip the tool to the reverse side and line up on the opposite door and repeat the drilling instructions.
  • Simply repeat the drilling process for all doors!

5. Install Hardware

  • Fasten the pull to the holes you just drilled.

Installing Knobs on Cabinet Doors

1. Select Hardware

  • Decide which style and size of hardware you want.  It is ideal to choose a style that fits the aesthetic of your kitchen design.

2. Find Desired Placement

  • Place the knob to find the position you like. Mark bottom hole location.
  • Measure the the distance from your bottom hole mark, to the bottom and side edges of the door.
Pro Tip: You can use tape or sticky-tack on the back of the hardware to test the location of your hardware. 

3. Set Up Jig

  • Use Hardware Spacing Pins to set spacing and tighten drill guides in place.  Make sure the spacing is the same on both sides of the jig.
  • Transfer your measurements to jig by setting the End Stop to the measurement you took from the bottom edge of the door to your mark.
  • Set the Large Stop to the measurement you took from the side edge of the door to your mark. 

4. Drill & Repeat

  • Hold the tool firmly against the door and drill through the center bushing.
  • Flip the tool to the reverse side and line up on the opposite door and repeat the drilling instructions.
  • Simply repeat the drilling process for all doors!

5. Install Hardware

  • Fasten the knobs to the holes you just drilled.

4. Tips and Tricks

Installing cabinet hardware can seem like a daunting task.  Some people might feel that this is too big of a task for them to take on.  This is not the case at all.  By keeping several things in mind, you can make your installation easier.  Here are some tips and tricks to help you with your hardware installation.

    • Take Your Time – Don’t try and rush through the installation.  There are a lot of things to think about.  Make sure that you take your time and think through your placement.  You have spent a lot of money on these cabinets.  You don’t want to waste all that money by rushing through and messing something up in the installation.  Know that it could take a full day or longer to install all the hardware in a kitchen or bathroom, even for a professional.  Don’t rush through it!
    • Level and Adjust Cabinet Doors and Drawers – Many of the modern cabinet doors and drawers will have the ability to be adjusted and fine-tuned.  Door hinges and drawer slides will often have screws to make the adjustments.  Using these features will allow you to fine-tune your cabinets to make sure that they work in the most efficient manner.
    • Use the Right Tools – Having the right tools with you will help to ensure that the installation goes smoothly.  A jig, such as our Cabinet Hardware Jig, or our Cabinet Hardware Jig Pro will help you be able to line up your hardware.  It will also help when you have to install hardware on many of the same types of doors and drawers.  The jig can make setup easier and allow you to get the job done quicker.  By using the jig, you do not need to hire a professional.  Aside from the jig, you will need to have a drill (battery-operated or corded), the right size drill bit (according to what is recommended with the hardware), a tape measure, a pencil, and a screwdriver.
    • Don’t Choose Style Over Function – If you have a great looking handle, but it has to be installed in an odd place, then you lose functionality.  While the hardware should look great, it needs to function.  Make sure to check your desired cabinet handle or knob placement on all doors & drawers in your kitchen to make sure that the placement works without any exceptions for oddly placed or sized drawers/doors.
    • Test the Placement of Your Hardware – Use tape or sticky tack on the back of the hardware to test the location of your hardware.  Play around with the placement of the hardware until you are satisfied with the placement.  Measure and mark this location for the placement of the hardware.  
White modern minimal kitchen cabinet doors with traditional knobs

5. Conclusion

Cabinet hardware installation is not as hard as it seems.  Knowing a few basics can help you to install your hardware and have it look like it was professionally installed.  By reading this guide, you have that knowledge.  So let’s go ahead and finish out that space and make it showroom worthy.

For more information on choosing your hardware, see our Ultimate Cabinet Hardware Placement Guide.

For more information on how to install hardware using our jigs, please see our Cabinet Hardware Jig Instructions.  

For more information in general, please see our How To library with information on a variety of topics.

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