Choose and Install New Cabinet Knobs or Pulls

Changing the hardware on your cabinets and furniture is one of the quickest and easiest ways to update a room. Knobs are available in every price range – you can even paint them yourself.

Steps

  1. Count exactly how many knobs you'll need. Remember to count every cabinet, closet, drawer and door. Then do it again. You'll be really annoyed with yourself if you miscount and have to wait to get more knobs!
  2. Measure the distance between the centers of the screw holes to determine the size of the pulls you'll need (or read the notes below for suggestions on switching from 2 hole pulls to knobs).
  3. Decide what size knobs you want. The trend right now is for large scale knobs, but you need to be careful. Huge knobs on small scale furniture can look a bit cartoonish, which may be just the look you're after! If you have frame and panel doors and drawers, you'll want to consider the width of the rails. As a general rule, knobs or pulls no wider than half the rail width look best.
  4. Determine what size screws you need. Knobs generally ship with a 1 ½ – 2" screw, and you should check to be sure this will work for your installation. Doors and drawers will sometimes need two different screw lengths and different pieces of furniture may need different sizes. Drawers with faces applied as a separate piece will require screws to pass through 1 ¼" - 1 ½" of wood or substrate. Doors are usually made of ¾" lumber so 1" screws usually work. You can measure the depth of the face where the screw will go in. In addition to length, you must have screws that are the correct diameter. This won't be an issue if you can use the screws that came with your knobs. But if the screws that came with your knob aren't the right length, the best thing to do is figure out the length you need and take the knob to the hardware store with you so that you're sure to get a screw that is the correct diameter.
  5. Remove the existing handles utilizing the appropriate tool to remove the screws. (For stubborn screws, squirt a little W-D40 onto the screw head, or use a drop or two of Goo Gone directly on the screw head. Allow the substance to set for a few minutes and the screw should come out with little effort.)
  6. Install the new knobs. Drill holes if needed. The holes you drill should be the correct diameter, and should be drilled perpendicular to the surface. If you drill at an angle it can be hard to get the knobs to screw in tightly.
  7. Using your other hand and from the inside of the door/drawer, insert the tip of a new screw into the existing screw hole of the unit. (Just enough to get it started.)
  8. Using the appropriate tool (flathead or Phillips screwdriver or Allen wrench), turn the screw through the hole and into the hole of the new handle. Tighten the screws after all screws for that handle have been installed and you are satisfied with the fit, the look, and the alignment of the new handle.
  9. Finished.

Tips

  • If you plan to paint or refinish your furniture piece or cabinet, complete that part of the project after removing the existing hardware and before you install the new hardware.
  • If you don't want to repaint the furniture, try using two knobs instead – one in each of the holes. Make it playful and fun – mix a dragonfly with a butterfly, or a car with a plane.
  • If your screw is a bit long, and the knob won't tighten, you can always add a washer between the screw and the face.
  • If you are removing a drawer pull with two holes, and can't find pulls you like that are the correct size you can fill the existing holes, repaint the surface and then drill a new hole. The best way to do this is to get a piece of 1/4" wood doweling. Drill the existing holes 1/4" so that you can insert the doweling with a bit of glue. After the glue has dried, sand down the surface. Fill any uneven bits with a little putty, sand again and you're ready to paint. This works better than just filling the hole with putty – somehow that never comes out looking smooth enough.
  • When choosing new knobs/pulls, take the old ones (and screws, too) with you to the store to make sure everything will fit. You may also want to bring the drawer itself so you can evaluate appearance.
  • Another option is to glue on an escutcheon or flat wooden embellishment that will cover the two holes. You can paint it before you glue it on if you're not painting the furniture. Then drill a hole or holes to fit your new pull.

Things You'll Need

  • Ruler or tape measure
  • Knobs with appropriate screws (see Step 3 above)
  • Screwdriver
  • Washers, if needed
  • Drill with appropriate bits
  • If you're filling existing screw holes: 1/4" dowel & wood filler (see Tips section)

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