How to Install Cabinet Handles- Step By Step Guide

Over time, your kitchen cabinets may need to be restyled. Learning how to install kitchen cabinet handles is a stylish and affordable way to give it a new look. Use this guide to learn how to install cabinet handles, and you don’t even need to call in a professional for the perfect makeover.

Table of Contents

Where Should Cabinet Handles Be Placed?

Cabinet handles are usually placed in the center of a drawer or in the upper corner of a door.

When drilling holes in multiple doors or drawers, make sure they are marked the same for a uniform look.

4 Steps to Install Cabinet Handles

Remove the Old Cabinet Handles

If you want to replace the cabinet handle, you need to remove the old handle first.

Use a screwdriver to remove the fastening screws of the cabinet cable. These are usually located on the back of cabinet doors. Measure the distance between the screw holes and the edge of the cabinet door. Determine if they are properly spaced so they can be reused for new cabinet pulls.
If new screw holes need to be created, patch the old screw holes with wood filler that matches the cabinet finish. Paint or refinish the patched holes as needed.

Measure and Mark Locations for New Handles

If the existing screw hole can be reused, insert a new set screw into the hole and tighten the new handle in place. If you are creating a new screw hole, measure and mark the new screw hole location.

If your cabinet door has a stile (also called a frame), the cabinet handle is usually 2 to 3 inches from the bottom edge of the door. They should be centered on the width of the steps.
If your cabinet has a flat door without a stile, the cabinet handle is usually 2 to 3 inches from the bottom edge of the door. They are the same distance from the sides.
Measure and mark this location with a pencil.
When installing the knob, this marked location will be the location of the drilled hole.
When the handle is mounted with the two captive screws, this marked location will be in the middle of the handle. Measure the distance between the two captive screws on the cabinet handle.
Divide that number by half to get the distance between the center mark and two new marks that indicate where the top and bottom screw holes are.

Tip: To avoid measuring each cabinet door, use a piece of cardboard as a template. Let’s say the corner of the cardboard in the corner of the cabinet door. Mark the screw hole locations accordingly. Line up the template with the cabinet door, then run the nails through it to start drilling the screw holes in the cabinet door.

Drill Holes

Most cabinet screws require a 3/16″ diameter hole, so use a power drill with a 3/16″ twist drill bit to create the screw holes. The manufacturer’s instructions will also specify the required drill size. If you’re not sure about the size, drill a test hole in a piece of scrap wood to see if the set screw will fit.
Hold the door with one hand while drilling, or prop the door with a towel to avoid drilling into the cabinet frame.
Drill through the door at the marked screw holes.

Install New Cabinet Handles

Your hole is now drilled. Time to start installing the enclosure hardware. The process is the same if you are learning how to install cabinet knobs. Here’s how to properly install the enclosure hardware:

Insert the set screw from the back of the hole.
Screw the knob or handle onto the screw.
Holding the knob or handle with one hand, tighten the captive screw with a screwdriver.
Avoid over-tightening the screws, as this may cause cracking or damage to the cabinet door.

TIP: Cabinet and drawer pull usually come with two screws of different lengths. Shorter screws are used for standard thickness doors. Longer screws are used for thicker doors or false front drawers.

Conclusion

Installing cabinet hardware and updating drawers is not a difficult process. It can also be very beneficial to transform your space with new handles and knobs. Best of all, you don’t need to be a DIY pro to upgrade your hardware today. Now that you know how to install cabinet handles, you can easily change the style of your cabinets.