Quick and Easy Guide to Installing Cabinet Door Handles and Knobs

After all the decision-making, you should be ready to install the cabinet door handles and knobs. Nothing can make a cabinet door look more custom and polished than the perfect doorknobs or handles. Executing the installation with precision and patience will produce a beautiful cabinetry that has that custom and expensive look.

Start the process by selecting your perfect handles and knobs based on the type of cabinetry and the overall aesthetic of your room. Consider the size and shape of the handle, the finish you want, and the overall design. Pay attention to the moldings and trim on each cabinet door when you select the hardware as this can give you some clues as to the ideal size, shape and placement of the handles.

Once you have settled on the correct set of handles or knobs, make sure that they are evenly spaced and the sizing is uniform across your cabinets. Buying a dozen or so of the same handles will help ensure that quality and consistency. Once you have the hardware, you can get started on the installation process.

First, you will want to be sure that you have hung the cabinet doors correctly since this is what will provide the basis for your handle or knob alignment. After this is done, you can move on to the installation. If you are installing knobs, center the screws on the invisible line made by the bottom edge of the molding. If you are installing pull handles, mount them vertically for cabinet doors and horizontally for drawers. Make sure that the handles or knobs are close enough to the door edge that they are easy to pull. To test the placement of the handles and knobs, you can use blue poster putty to stick them in place temporarily and make sure that the alignment looks visually appealing and symmetrical.

Once you are sure of the placement of each handle and knob, mark with a permanent marker the spot on each door that you will place the screw. Using an electric drill with the correct drill bit, make the holes in the doors for the handles or knobs carefully. It is important that you don’t drill all the way through the door, but if you do, make sure to use a washer to secure the screw on the inside and file off the sharp edges.

Finally, attach the handles and knobs securely on each door and admire your work. With patience and precision, you have successfully installed new, gleaming cabinet door handles and knobs that have given your cabinetry a polished and expensive look.