How To Install Cabinet Hardware in 7 Steps + Style Inspiration

By: Andrew Saladino | 6 min
Last Updated: February 6th, 2024

Once you've installed your new kitchen cabinets, you may be stuck wondering how to install cabinet hardware. These finishing touches can bring the entire look of your cooking space together. Hardware features serve a substantial purpose in the kitchen for functionality, so it's important to install your knobs and pulls with care and precision.

Before you begin your cabinet hardware installation, collect the proper tools. For this project, you'll need a drill, a jig, masking tape, a tape measure, knobs, a hammer, finishing nails, and a ruler or straightedge.

Once you've collected the necessary materials, it's time to get to work. Plan where you're going to place your hardware, temporarily attach it, mark the placeholder, and finally, drill the hole and attach your accessories.

What You'll Need

Gather these materials to ensure you have everything you need to install new kitchen cabinet hardware:

• Screwdriver: To remove old cabinet hardware or hinges
• Wood putty: To fill holes from old hardware if you'd like to redo placement
• Tape measure: To help measure where to place new hardware
• Jig or hardware template: To help ensure that hardware is installed with the correct placement
• Temporary adhesive putty: To test out where you'd like to have your hardware
• Drill: To create new holes for hardware installation
• Cabinet hardware: Knobs, pulls, and handles are the three main hardware types

Step 1. Remove Old Hardware

The first step to installing new kitchen cabinet hardware is to remove the old hardware. If you open the cabinets, screwheads from the hardware should be visible from the back of the doors. Use a standard screwdriver to loosen them until you can remove the hardware.

TIP: If you have difficulty unscrewing the knobs, they may have been installed with thread sealer. A heat gun can loosen this and make them easier to remove.

Step 2. Remove and Repair Cabinet Doors

Next, unscrew the cabinet doors at the hinges and survey them for damage. If you want to restain or paint the cabinets, now's the time. If your new hardware screws into the existing holes and you want to keep placement the same, you can move on to step six. Otherwise, you can use wood putty to fill the old holes.

TIP: Fill in holes before painting the cabinets so you can sand down the putty and create a smooth finish.

Step 3. Choose New Cabinet Hardware

There are many types of cabinet hardware to choose from with different functionalities and styles. The three basic types are:

• Cabinet knobs have one anchor point.
• Cabinet handles have two anchor points.
• Cabinet pulls resemble handles but have one anchor point.

Step 4. Determine New Hardware Placement

Now it's time to plan the placement for your knobs or pulls. Decide if you want a modern or traditional placement. Modern placements are generally not centered, while traditional hardware placements are centered. When working with tall cabinets, make sure the cabinet pull is installed directly above the bottom of the panel for the correct point of access.

TIP: Center your knobs or pulls 2 to 3 inches from the top or bottom of the door for standard placement.

Step 5. Drill Holes for Cabinet Hardware

The drill holes for your hardware should be spaced evenly. Use a temporary adhesive to attach the cabinet accessories to ensure you're happy with the height before making permanent modifications. If you don't have a jig, create a template with a piece of cardboard the same size as your drawer front and mark the center. Once you decide where you want to place your cabinet pulls, make pencil marks to indicate the drill hole locations.

Drill from the front of the cabinet door and use a modestly sized drill bit for the first hole. Hold your cabinet pulls so they're facing you. Once you've drilled the first successful pull or knob hole, clean off any debris and move on to your second handle, repeating the same process until all of your hardware is installed.

TIP: Start drilling with a smaller bit and then build up to the correct size to prevent splintering the wood.

Step 6. Install Cabinet Hardware

Now it's time to add your hardware. The head of the screw should be on the inside of the cabinet door, with the end poking through to the front. You can then screw on the knob. If you're using handles, you might find it easier to align the handles with the drill holes from the front, then screw them in from the back.

TIP: Add a small amount of superglue or thread sealant onto your knob to keep the screw from coming loose or over-twisting.

Step 7. Replace Cabinet Doors

Once this is all done, clean off any dust or residue before replacing your cabinet doors. This is a great time to fix any alignment issues and ensure all doors are level and have a flush exterior.

Cabinet Hardware Inspiration

New cabinet hardware is an inexpensive way to upgrade the look of your whole kitchen. Here are some of our favorite ways to style new cabinet hardware.

These charming wooden cabinet knobs bring the perfect vintage look to this colorful kitchen.

Simple nickel handles balance out these bright white kitchen cabinets and the warm-toned wooden countertops, bringing the entire space together.

These ultra-modern nickel handles pair with white slab cabinets for the perfect minimalist kitchen.

Keep your kitchen simple with monochromatic nickel handles on classic gray cabinets.

These black nickel drawer handles perfectly complement the white beadboard cabinets for an updated farmhouse style kitchen.

How To Install Cabinet Hardware FAQs

When installing your hardware, you may feel pressured to get things right the first time. Consider these frequently asked questions before you begin the project to ensure you've covered all your bases.

How do you install cabinet pulls without a template?

Install cabinet pulls without using a jig by imagining that your cabinet is divided into four quarters and placing the knob between the middle two. Alternatively, cut the exact size of your cabinet or drawer face from a piece of cardboard. Measure the width of your pulls and mark the center of the cardboard for a uniform stencil.

Should I use knobs or pulls on kitchen cabinets?

Although using pulls or knobs on kitchen cabinets is a personal preference, most people prefer to use pulls on kitchen drawers and knobs on kitchen cabinets. For drawers larger than 24 inches, consider using two knobs.

How do you drill holes in cabinet pulls?

To drill holes in cabinet pulls, decide where you want to place each accessory first. Cover the space with masking tape and mark the location. Drill the hole with a modest drill bit, and finally, screw in the hardware.

Where do you put knobs on kitchen cabinets?

For cabinet doors, standard knob placement is 2 to 4 inches from the corner of the cabinet. For pull-out drawers, standard knob placement is in the center, about 2 to 3 inches from the top or bottom of the drawer. When in doubt, you can use a template to help you decide where to place knobs. Test out placement with putty or tape to get the right look right before drilling.

When you're questioning how to install cabinet hardware, the pressure's on. There's not much room for error when you take your drill to your new cabinets. Luckily, with a little bit of planning, your kitchen is a few steps away from being outfitted with new hardware accessories at a fraction of the cost of a professional installation.