How to Install Cabinet Hardware

I finally installed hardware on our kitchen cabinets, and the difference is SO GOOD! Read on to learn how I installed the most gorgeous gold drawer pulls and cabinet pulls.

After looking at basically every option out there, I finally landed on the Classic Elegance line from Liberty Hardware. For full disclosure, they were kind enough to gift me all of the hardware for our kitchen .But, these are 100% what I would have chosen even if they hadn’t done that.

I ended up going with the 12″ Classic Elegance gold drawer pulls for all of our longer drawers, and the 6 5/8″ pulls for the smaller ones. I feel like the oversized pulls really make a huge statement in the room! I’m head over heels in love with how it turned out.

If you’ve never installed cabinet hardware on cabinets without holes, it can feel reeeeeally intimidating. I was beyond nervous when I drilled that first hole into our shiny new cabinets! But, one I pushed through and did it, it was (obviously) so worth it! So, let’s chat about how it’s done.

How to Install Cabinet Hardware

Tools & Materials

• Power drill
• 3/16″ drill bit
• Cabinet hardware jig (I like this one)
• Clamp
• Measuring tape (I really love this easy-to-read one)
• Knobs and/or pulls
  • 12″ Classic Elegance Gold Drawer Pulls (update: these have been discontinued in this size)
  • 6 5/16″ Classic Elegance Gold Drawer Pulls
  • Classic Elegance Gold Cabinet Pulls

Drawer Hardware: Measure + Mark Holes

Let’s start with talking about the drawers. You’ll want to begin by determining the center of your drawer height-wise. My drawer fronts are 6″ tall, so this was 3″ for me. Then, set your hardware jig to the appropriate setting.

If you’re using smaller drawer pulls than I was, you may be able to use your hardware jig for the entire process. My pulls were far too long for either of the jigs we had! So, I just used them to help me space the holes consistently and appropriately (and to make sure the pulls were level).

The other measurement you’ll need is where to place your holes length-wise. This will vary depending on the width of your drawer. I’d recommend measuring each drawer individually! I thought one of my drawers was the same length as the other long ones, but it turned out to be a totally different size.

To determine your hole placement for the pulls, here’s what you do:

• Measure the length of your drawer front. For example, my long ones are 34″.
• Subtract the center-to-center measurement of your drawer pulls from that number. I was using the 12″ pulls for those, so my new number was 22″.
• Divide that number by 2 to get the placement for each of your holes. I needed to place mine 11″ from either end of the drawer front.

I used my Kreg Cabinet Hardware Jig for this. You just adjust the little ledge on the back to the spacing you want – again, 3″ for me – and tighten the knobs so it doesn’t move. Then, you rest the ledge on the top of the drawer and measure so that the center hole is exactly where you want one side of your drawer pull to be.

Drawer Hardware: Attach Jig + Drill Holes

Double and triple check your measurements, then clamp the jig onto the drawer front, as pictured above. Be sure to measure again and adjust if needed after you clamp it. Sometimes it can shift! Once you’re positive the jig is exactly where it needs to be, just drill a hole in the center spot! Then, pull the jig off and repeat with the other side.

Remember that with drawer pulls, it’s vital that your measurements are exact or they won’t fit. There were a couple that were ever so slightly off, and I had to make one of the holes a little bigger to make sure I could get them installed. I was grateful that I chose drawer pulls with a wide base for that very reason. I didn’t have to stress about the slightly-larger-than-normal hole being visible once everything was in place.

Once you’ve got the holes for the pulls drilled, you can simply grab the screws that come with the drawer pulls and install them. Most drawer knobs and pulls should come with two lengths of screws. So, you can choose which one works better for your cabinets. Generally, you can expect that drawers will need the longer pulls and cabinets will need the shorter ones.

Installing Hardware on Cabinet Doors

Installing the hardware on the cabinet doors is very similar. The difference is, finding the right setting for your jig is a little more nuanced than just finding the middle.

Our cabinets are a shaker-style cabinet, meaning they have a flat frame all around the cabinet doors. I chose to have my knobs and pulls sit in the center of this frame. I spaced them all 2″ from either the top (for lower cabinets) or the bottom (for upper cabinets) of the door.

If you don’t have a frame, a general rule of thumb is to place the knobs about 1.5-2″ in from the side, and between 2-3″ from the top or bottom, depending on your preference.

So, to install these, I simply set my jig to 1.5″ (the frame on the cabinets is 3″ wide). Then, I measured 2″ for the first hole and another 6 5/16″ for the second hole. The upper cabinets just have knobs (and they obviously only need one hole), so they go muuuch faster.

And that’s it! Installing hardware on your cabinets is a bit slow-moving, but it took me just one afternoon to knock all of these out. And, it feels like a totally new kitchen! Between this and the new pull-out drawers in our pantry cabinet, I’m feeling so good about this space!