How to Install Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

Installing or replacing kitchen cabinet hardware, such as pulls and knobs, is a simple yet impactful way to update the look and feel of your kitchen. Whether you're swapping out old, outdated hardware or adding the finishing touches to a new set of cabinets, this article will guide you through the entire process. From selecting the right tools to ensuring precise installation, we’ll cover everything you need to know to achieve a professional and polished result, transforming your kitchen with minimal effort.

 Selecting the Right Cabinet Hardware

Knobs vs. Pulls: Knobs are typically smaller and are often used for doors, while pulls are larger and more commonly used for drawers. However, mixing and matching is a great way to add visual interest and character to your cabinetry. Mixing cabinet pulls and knobs can also achieve an ultra-customized look.

Materials: Common materials include stainless steel, brass, and aluminum. Each material brings a different look and feel to the kitchen.

Finishes: The finish of your hardware can dramatically impact the overall look of your kitchen. Finishes can vary across different vendors, so if you intend to purchase your hardware online, order finish samples before finalizing your design.

View Kingston’s most recent line of cabinet hardware available in contemporary and industrial styles.

Preparing for Installation

Rushing through the installation prep step can lead to misaligned hardware, damaged cabinets, or other issues that could have been easily avoided. Here’s how to ensure your hardware installation is set up for success.

Determining the Placement of Hardware

One of the first and most critical decisions in preparing for hardware installation is determining where to place your knobs or pulls. This isn’t just about looks—placement also affects how easy and comfortable it is to use your cabinets and drawers. 

Symmetry is often key to achieving a balanced look. For example, you might want to align the knobs on cabinet doors so they are centered both vertically and horizontally. For drawers, placing pulls or knobs in the center can create more balance. However, for longer drawers, you might place two pulls to ensure even distribution.

Think about how you use your kitchen. Will a knob or pull be easier to grip and pull open? Know the type of cabinets you have—frameless or framed—as this can influence where the hardware should be placed for ease of use. In addition, think about the height of users; placing pulls too high or too low could make them inconvenient to reach.

You will get the best results if you maintain consistent placement of the hardware across all cabinets and drawers. Inconsistent placement can create a disjointed look and disrupt the flow of your kitchen’s design. 

Tools & Materials

Drill: The cornerstone of this project, a reliable drill is necessary for creating the holes where your cabinet hardware will be installed.

Drill Bits: Make sure you have a variety of drill bits, especially ones that match the size of the screws you'll be using.

Screws: The right screws will secure your hardware in place. Often, these come with the hardware, but having extra screws on hand in case of a mishap is a good idea.

Screwdriver: While a drill can handle the heavy lifting, a screwdriver gives you more control for the final tightening of screws.

Measuring Tape: Precision is key, so a good measuring tape is crucial for ensuring that your hardware is perfectly positioned.

Level: To avoid crooked knobs or pulls, a level helps you keep everything aligned.

Painter's Tape: This versatile tool aids in marking positions, protecting surfaces, and guiding your drill.

Wood Filler (optional): If you're replacing old hardware, wood filler helps close up unnecessary holes, allowing for a smooth finish.

Sandpaper (optional): After applying wood filler, sandpaper is used to smooth out the area before repainting or staining.

Touch-up Paint (optional): This helps you blend any repairs or cover exposed wood from drilling.

How to Measure Your Current Hardware Dimensions and Thread Size

Measure Screw Hole Distance

Start by measuring the distance between the centers of the screw holes on your current hardware, often referred to as the "center-to-center" measurement. This is very important if you’re replacing pulls, as the new pulls need to match this measurement to fit the existing holes. For knobs, this measurement is less relevant, but you’ll still need to check the diameter of the knob and the size of the hole.

Measure Screw Thread Size & Length

Next, assess the thread size and length of the screws required. Remove one of the existing screws and measure its length from the base of the head to the tip, as well as its diameter, which determines the thread size. If the original screws are too long or too short, you’ll need to adjust accordingly. Typically, the screw should be long enough to pass through the cabinet door or drawer front with about 1/8 inch extending beyond the surface to securely attach the hardware.

For the most accurate thread measurement, you can measure the thread pitch. This is the distance measured from the peak of one thread to the next. You can also take your threaded rod/screw to your local hardware store. They will likely have a board with various thread size holes where you can insert your threaded screw. 

Excess Spacing

When drilling new holes or deciding the placement of new hardware, leave enough space around the drilled hole to avoid weakening the cabinet material or compromising the hardware’s stability. As a general rule, leave at least 1/4 inch of space from the edge of the cabinet or drawer front to the center of the hole. This ensures that the cabinet remains strong and that the hardware is properly supported, preventing any potential damage or misalignment during installation.

Templates & Jigs

Templates and specialized measuring tools can be incredibly helpful for ensuring that your hardware installation is consistent and precise.

Hardware templates are plastic or metal guides that you can place on your cabinet doors and drawers to mark exactly where to drill. Templates often come with a variety of hole placements to match different styles of hardware, making them a versatile tool for your project.

A measuring jig is another useful tool that allows you to easily align and mark hardware placement, especially when installing multiple pieces of hardware. Jigs can be adjusted to your desired measurements and locked in place.

DIY templates can be made out of wood or cardboard for a solid foundation. Simply measure and mark the desired placement, cut out holes where the drill will go, and use this as a guide. 

Painters Tape: When marking your cabinets, a method worth trying is to use painter’s tape. Place the tape on the cabinet surface where you plan to drill and mark your measurements on the tape. This method protects your cabinet finish and allows you to make adjustments without damaging the wood.

Before moving on to the actual installation, take a moment to review your work. Make sure all measurements are accurate, all marks are clearly visible, and you’re satisfied with the placement. This preparation phase might take some time, but it’s crucial for ensuring that the rest of the installation process goes smoothly and results in a beautifully finished kitchen. 

How to Drill Holes for Cabinet Hardware

The accuracy and cleanliness of your drilling will determine the final look and functionality of your kitchen cabinets. Properly drilled holes ensure that your knobs and pulls are securely fastened and aligned, giving your kitchen a polished, professional appearance.

Choosing the Correct Drill Bit Size

Match the Drill Bit to the Screw Size: The drill bit should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw’s shaft (excluding the threads). This allows the screw to grip the wood securely without splitting it. If the bit is too large, the screw won’t hold properly; if it’s too small, the wood could split, or the screw might not fit at all. Always start small and work your way up to bigger threads if you’re unsure of what exact drill bit size to use.

Test on Scrap Wood: Before drilling into your cabinets, it’s a good idea to test the drill bit on a piece of scrap wood. This will help you confirm that the bit size is correct and that the screw fits snugly without causing any damage.

Consider the Material: If you’re drilling into metal or plastic (which some cabinet doors may have), use a drill bit specifically designed for those materials. For wood and MDF (medium-density fiberboard), a standard wood bit will usually suffice.

How to Drill Clean & Precise Holes

Drilling clean and precise holes is essential to achieving a professional result. Follow these steps to ensure your holes are perfect:

Mark the Drill Points: Use painter’s tape to mark the exact spots where you want to drill, as discussed in the previous section. The tape helps with accuracy and prevents the drill bit from slipping on the surface.

Secure the Cabinet Door or Drawer: To prevent movement while drilling, secure the cabinet door or drawer in place. You can use clamps or ask someone to hold the piece steady. If you’re drilling into an installed cabinet, ensure the door is fully open and supported.

Drill Slowly and Steadily: When drilling, start slowly to ensure the drill bit is correctly aligned with your mark. Apply consistent pressure, but don’t force the drill—let the bit do the work. As you gain confidence, you can increase the speed slightly. Drilling too fast can cause the bit to overheat, leading to rough edges or splintering.

Use a Backing Board: To prevent blowout (when the wood splinters as the drill bit exits), place a scrap piece of wood behind the cabinet door or drawer. The backing board supports the wood fibers, resulting in a cleaner exit hole.

Sand for Clean Edges: After drilling, check the edges of the holes. If there are any rough spots, gently sand them with fine-grit sandpaper. This will help the hardware sit flush against the surface without gaps or unevenness.

Installing the Cabinet Hardware

With your holes drilled, you’re ready to start attaching the hardware. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1. Gather Your Hardware: Begin by laying out all the knobs or pulls, along with the screws that came with them. It’s a good idea to keep a few extra screws on hand in case any are lost or damaged during installation.

Step 2. Insert the Screws: For most cabinet hardware, you’ll insert the screw from the inside of the cabinet or drawer, so that it protrudes through the hole you’ve drilled. Make sure the screw is aligned properly with the hole before you start turning it.

Step 3. Attach the Hardware: Once the screw is in place, align the knob or pull with the screw on the outside of the cabinet or drawer. Hold the hardware steady with one hand while you begin to tighten the screw with the other hand using a screwdriver. If your hardware has a backplate, make sure it is properly positioned before tightening the screw.

Step 4. Tighten the Screw: Use a screwdriver to tighten the screw until the knob or pull is snug against the cabinet surface. Be careful not to overtighten, as this can strip the screw hole or damage the hardware. If you feel resistance, stop and check the alignment before continuing. For some hardware, especially longer pulls, you may need to tighten screws at both ends simultaneously to ensure even pressure.

Step 5. Check the Fit: After attaching the hardware, check to make sure it sits flush against the cabinet surface and that there are no gaps. The hardware should feel secure and should not wiggle or move when you pull on it.

Step 6. Use a Level: A small, handheld level can help you make sure that your hardware is perfectly straight. Place the level on top of a pull or across the center of a knob to check its alignment. If the hardware is crooked, loosen the screws slightly, adjust the position, and retighten.

Other Replacement & Installation Tips

After installing all of your cabinet hardware, take a few moments to inspect your work:

Test the Hardware: Open and close each cabinet door and drawer to ensure that the hardware operates smoothly. Make sure that the pulls or knobs are easy to grip and that there is no resistance or wobbling.

Adjust if Necessary: If any pieces of hardware aren’t perfectly aligned or feel loose, make adjustments now. Loosen the screws slightly, reposition the hardware, and retighten the screws.

Clean the Surface: Once all the hardware is installed, wipe down the cabinet surfaces to remove any fingerprints, dust, or pencil marks left from the installation process. This final step will leave your kitchen looking clean and polished.

By following these steps and taking care during the installation process, you can achieve a professional-looking result that levels up the function of your kitchen. Properly installed cabinet hardware not only adds to the overall design but also makes your kitchen easier and more enjoyable to use.

How to Close an Old Drilled Hole That Is No Longer Needed

When updating your kitchen cabinet hardware, you may find yourself needing to cover and refinish old holes that no longer align with your new hardware. Whether you're replacing a single knob with a pull that requires two holes or simply relocating the hardware for a better fit, dealing with these old holes properly is a process to achieving a clean look. 

Using Wood Filler

Wood filler is a versatile material that’s perfect for filling old hardware holes in your cabinets. Select a high-quality wood filler that matches the type of wood or finish of your cabinets. There are different types of wood fillers available, including water-based, solvent-based, and epoxy fillers. For most cabinet projects, a water-based filler works well because it’s easy to apply, sand, and clean up. Before applying the wood filler, ensure the area around the hole is clean and free of dust, grease, or debris. You can wipe it down with a damp cloth and let it dry completely. If the cabinet surface is painted or varnished, lightly sand around the hole to help the filler adhere better. Using a putty knife or your finger, apply the wood filler into the hole. Press the filler firmly into the hole to ensure it fills the entire space. Slightly overfill the hole so that the filler is slightly raised above the surface of the cabinet—this makes it easier to sand down later for a smooth finish. After applying the filler, use the putty knife to smooth it out as much as possible. Wipe away any excess filler from around the hole, but don’t worry if it’s not perfectly smooth at this stage—you’ll sand it down later. Let the wood filler dry completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Drying times can vary depending on the type of filler and the size of the hole, but it typically takes a few hours to overnight.

Sand the Filled Area for a Smooth Finish

Once the wood filler has dried, the next step is to sand the area to create a smooth, even surface that blends with the rest of the cabinet. Start with a medium-grit sandpaper (around 120-grit) to remove any excess filler and level the surface. Then, switch to a finer-grit sandpaper (220-grit or higher) to smooth out the area and blend it with the surrounding cabinet surface. Sand the filled area gently in a circular motion, applying even pressure. Be careful not to sand too aggressively, as this could damage the surrounding cabinet finish. The goal is to create a smooth, flat surface that’s level with the rest of the cabinet. Run your hand over the sanded area to check for any bumps or uneven spots. If you feel any roughness, continue sanding with fine-grit sandpaper until the area is perfectly smooth. After sanding, wipe down the area with a clean, damp cloth to remove any dust. This step is important to ensure that the surface is clean and ready for painting or staining. Select a paint or stain that matches the existing finish on your cabinets. Using a small brush, carefully apply paint or stain to the sanded area. Apply thin coats, allowing each coat to dry completely before adding another.