For all you DIYers out there, we are here to give you some tips on cabinet hardware placement. Grab your knobs, pulls, and tools and follow this guide on deciding an important aspect of any home remodel or new construction: deciding how you're going to organize your new cabinet hardware.

If you're looking to change the style of your cabinet hardware, but aren't sure how to choose the right size or type, don't call a handyman just yet! We're here to break it down to the basics to make sure you have the knowledge and tools to bring your design vision to life.

Let's say you're taking on a total room remodel (be it your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, etc.) and you're elbow-deep in sawdust and paint. You may have brand new, no-drill cabinets just waiting to be adorned with cabinet knobs and pulls, or as we like to call them, home jewelry. If that's the case, you have complete freedom in choosing what type and size of cabinet hardware to install.

You can choose knobs, which come in a variety of sizes and shapes, including round, square, "T" shaped, and a multitude of unique decorative styles. Knobs are a great option for cabinet doors.

There are also cabinet pulls, which also come in many shapes and lengths. These are great for cabinet drawers.

Appliance pulls are quite useful for larger cabinets! Larger appliance pulls help distribute weight for heavier doors.

There are so many options! The sky is the limit! Once you choose what hardware you want to install, the next step is to figure out where in the cabinets you will put the hardware.

Undrilled vs Predrilled Cabinets

Before installing any hardware, we must evaluate what we are working with. Got new cabinets that haven't been drilled yet? If that's the case, then the sky's the limit! You have complete freedom to decide what style and size of hardware you want to buy and install.

Pre-drilled cabinets are a little trickier, but it's nothing a little brainstorming can't handle. The main concern to address here is whether or not you want to cover the existing perforation. If you choose to cover them, you regain complete freedom of choice in terms of placement, style and size.

Choosing to use existing drilled holes? Then you will have to work within the limitations set by them. If you had knobs installed, you can still choose any style and size you want, however you'll need to keep the original placement. For the cabinet pulls, you'll need to measure the existing space on center to center between the two drilled holes and make your new hardware selections based on that size measurement. In some cases, you may be able to get away with choosing a larger pull if you can get them to cover the old holes well.

Anatomy of a cabinet door

Now that we've established what options you have for placing your cabinet hardware, let's review the anatomy of a cabinet door.

The vertical pieces of the valance (pillars), the horizontal pieces (rails) and the interior (panel) are the key pieces to know

Placement of elements on cabinet doors

Ultimately the location will be determined by your personal taste, however here are some standard guidelines to help make your decision easier.

For the upper cabinets, you'll want to position them in a way that makes them easy to reach. Many people choose to place their knobs or pulls in the lower corners of the cabinets, usually along the mullion, which is the upright piece of the frame.

For lower cabinets, knobs and pulls are often placed in the upper corners, again, for easy access.

Fittings in cabinet drawers

For small to medium-sized cabinet drawers, you can use knobs or pulls. You can choose to center the knob or pull on the cabinet panel or align them near the top along the rail or horizontal piece of the frame.

For larger cabinet drawers, you may choose to install two handles or knobs spread across the panels. On the other hand, you can opt for an appliance handle that would normally be centered on the cabinet panels.

measurement and installation

With the location decided, the next step is to measure and drill holes in the cabinets.

When shopping for cabinet or appliance pulls, take note of the center-to-center length. Center to center length will be the space measured from the center of one drill hole to the center of the other

That way you'll know how far apart to drill the holes in your cabinet!

To measure, you can use a tape measure or a template, which is a template with pre-measured holes drilled into it.

Quick measuring tip: Use masking tape to mark where you'll drill to avoid having to mark directly on the cabinets.

Finally, before picking up the drill, quickly double-check your measurements. Then, start drilling carefully, using the smallest bit, while holding the drill as straight as possible. Once the holes are drilled, you are ready to install!

When you order cabinet hardware from Emtek, we make sure to ship your order with all the necessary screws to make the installation process as easy as possible.