Installing Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

This kitchen makeover is actually happening! I already have my first big project done – installing knobs and pulls on the doors and drawers! First let’s look at the kitchen before I started the project:

The cabinets are in great shape, but they have always been missing hardware. So after work on Friday I went to Home Depot and bought a handful of different knobs and pulls to try out on the cabinets. I knew I wanted a brushed nickel finish, but I wasn’t sure about anything else besides that. I ended up choosing this knob for the doors and this cup pull for the drawers:

Of course I had to pick the most expensive pull out of the ones I bought...good thing I only have 5 drawers! The knobs were only $2.97 each, but I had to buy 22 of them! Luckily Home Depot (and Amazon) sells that style in “value packs” of 10, so I ended up saving about $13 by buying 2 value packs instead of individually. I also bought an installation template, which is a must for installing cabinet hardware. I’ll talk more about it later, but it was $7 well spent. After all was said and done, this project ended up costing me $91.76.

But before I could start installing the new hardware I had to fix some of the cabinet doors. All of the upper cabinets looked like this:

Wonky!

Luckily I was able to even up all of the doors by simply loosening the screws on the hinges and pushing the door up/down until they matched up. That didn’t work on one door, so I had to actually take it off and drill a new set of holes. I was scared I was going to screw it up, but I wasn’t going to live with wonky doors anymore, so I just went for it. It was easier than I thought it would be and now all the cabinets look like this:

Now the really scary part - drilling into the cabinets for the first time! I was really nervous, but the installation template made me feel a little more comfortable. I bought mine at Home Depot, but you can also find them on Amazon. Seriously, don't do this project without one of these templates. They are cheap and make the project so much easier and less stressful than trying to measure on your own!

These are the steps I followed while installing my cabinet door pulls:

Line the template up with the edges of the door and mark your hole with a pencil – make sure you use the same hole every time!

Using a smaller drill bit, drill through the cabinet door. The smaller drill bit is easier to control and there’s less of a chance of the wood splitting or cracking. You can leave the door closed, but make sure there’s nothing on the other side that you could puncture/break.

Once through, go through again with the larger drill bit.

You now have even holes and can add your knobs!

I installed all of my knobs first because I knew they would be easier than the pulls. Once all 22 knobs were installed, I moved on to the pulls.

First measure the length of your drawer and mark the center with a pencil. Say the drawer is 25” long – I marked the drawer at 12.5” and then measured from that line to the edge to make sure it really was the same distance on both sides. Yeah, I’m a little obsessive about measuring.

Line up the holes on the pull with the holes on the template. The template gives you 3 different options for width, so make sure you pick the right one.

Hang the template from the top of the drawer and line up the center line with your pencil mark. Mark your holes with a pencil – make sure you use the same set every time.

Use a smaller drill bit and then a larger one like the steps above. Then add your pull and celebrate.

After all of the pulls were installed I couldn’t stop talking about how much I loved the new hardware. Seriously, I said “It looks so good!” to myself, my boyfriend, and the dogs about 20 times. And now here are the after shots, which include a sleepy Abby:

OK, here’s where I need your opinions: do you think I should add a pull to the “drawer” below the sink? It does tilt out and there’s a plastic tray attached, but I don’t use it. I think a lot of kitchens don’t have a pull on that “drawer”, but I’ve seen ones that do. I wasn’t planning on adding one, but after seeing the pulls line up across all the drawers I’m wondering if it would look better to put one there too. For now I’m going to live without adding one and see how it goes, but tell me what you think.

I’m so happy with hardware choice! Ahhh, I love it!

I’m already working on my next kitchen project, so expect another update next week!

30 comments

JodiFebruary 13, 2013 at 8:09 AM
I love the choice of hardware, they look great. I always love the style of the pull that you have. Plus I think cabinets look better with hardware.

I wouldn't put a pull on the one under the sink.I think it may look out of place.

Great Job and I love sweet Abby lounching in the picture. :)

Jodi
ChesFebruary 13, 2013 at 9:58 AM
Love the new hardware. I got lucky when I added hardware to my cabinets and drawers because all of them were on clearance at Target!!!! I have the same sort of pull down drawer in my kitchen and I didnt add a pull.

You can take a look at it here:
http://timetobeefocused.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-kitchen.html
Jennifer @ Delightfully NotedFebruary 13, 2013 at 10:43 AM
Amazing how a little hardware can make such a difference! Those are actually similiar to the hardware I was thinking of when we go to update our kitchen:)
Our Pinteresting FamilyFebruary 13, 2013 at 11:10 AM
The hardware looks so beautiful on your cabinets. I love how large your kitchen is! :)
Linda {Calling it Home}February 13, 2013 at 5:45 PM
Ahh, shiny new hardware. I have that templet, too. I think everyone has wonky uneven doors. Over time, they just slip out of place.
Breezy BrieFebruary 13, 2013 at 8:29 PM
O my gosh - this looks so awesome! I wouldn't be able to stop looking at it if I were you :)

We used the drill template when drilling our holes for hardware too. And when I say we, I mean my husband and his brother... I'm impressed with your power tool skills!

Brie @ Breezy Pink Daisies
Breezy BrieFebruary 13, 2013 at 8:35 PM
Just noticed I didn't answer your question.

I think I would put a pull on that kitchen drawer as well. But I can see why you wouldn't - so whatever makes you happy :) And I actually didn't put one on mine because mine is like 3xs longer than my other drawers so it would look really weird with one (http://breezypinkdaisies.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-favorite-room-in-our-house-kitchen.html) I can't really tell from your picture, but if it's the same size I think a handle would look nice :)
The Kim Six FixFebruary 14, 2013 at 10:02 PM
Doesn't hardware make all the difference?! I have put cup pulls on all my drawers and cabinets since I love them! Your choices are great!
UnknownMarch 30, 2013 at 3:48 AM
love it and such a great idea!!
AnonymousMarch 31, 2013 at 6:24 PM
Great post! With this post, I can now easily install the hardware for my kitchen cabinets. I can now also manage my kitchen cabinets very well. Thank you for sharing!

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aztomApril 9, 2013 at 3:00 PM
They look great. I would put two pulls on the sink panel, the panel is there to look like one of the drawers so it should have hardware. Because it's much wider I think two would look more proportional.
UnknownJuly 1, 2013 at 10:03 AM
Those look like they turned out great! I've been wondering whether or not to get some new cabinets in Halifax and then put some great looking, silver knobs and stuff on them, because I really like the way the look in the pictures you posted. Great post!
AnonymousSeptember 3, 2013 at 2:12 AM
This turned out really nice! It looks like a different cabinet! Great job! Oak Bunk Beds
UnknownSeptember 18, 2013 at 3:45 AM
I love your beautiful blog good job Thanks lot for this useful tutorial.BED STORE EDINBURGH
UnknownNovember 1, 2013 at 1:15 PM
Very spacious and well spaced kitchen cabinet which can allow a cook to work well in the kitchen, by the way, I noticed that well wishing sine "bon appetit", that adds to the aesthetic kitchen design. Bravo!
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UnknownNovember 14, 2013 at 9:26 PM
Those are some pretty awesome looking cabinets. I have been thinking about picking up some some new kitchen cabinets here in Halifax. I think that it would make my Wife pretty happy.
UnknownJanuary 30, 2014 at 6:43 AM
Measure twice, drill once! And look at all the shiny knobs! Good job on adding the knobs and handles on your cabinets and drawers! How are they holding up? Love that Bon Apetit banner on top, btw.

Teresa
RobinsonJune 5, 2014 at 9:07 PM
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AnonymousNovember 18, 2015 at 8:51 AM
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UnknownMay 3, 2017 at 7:08 PM
Your kitchen cabinet looks wonderful! I know you are so proud of it! :)

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Home StarsMay 3, 2017 at 7:13 PM
I LOVE your kitchen cabinet! It is so modern and stunning! I pinned it for inspiration!

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Home StarsMay 3, 2017 at 7:17 PM
I absolutely LOVE what you did with your kitchen! you are amazing.

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klotyldaOctober 18, 2017 at 7:33 AM
The kitchen looks stunning, you are so talented! Well done, love. I'd love the homeexpert to do something similar to my kitchen, as we have a kitchen improvement scheduled next month. Yayy!
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