Where to Place Knobs on a Cabinet

Once you decide to change out cabinet hardware you might find the style you pick won't look that great if you try and replace the knobs in the same spots that the old ones were in. Well what to do? You certainly don't want to go back to the same boring old hardware. Instead you need a better understanding of your options for where to place knobs on a cabinet.

The most obvious place to put a knob will be on a side opposite a hinge. The leverage allows you to open the door with almost no effort. This is great for those that might have a disability limiting their grip strength. The only exception to this rule is if you have roll out bottom cabinets, you know, the giant drawer types. Those you'll want to install the knobs centered on the cabinet to keep it from binding up on either side.

Well that gives you a rough idea of where to put the knobs but you probably need something a little bit more exact. Unfortunately there's no magic formula for where to place knobs on a cabinet. It's all going to come down to how the cabinets are designed and the size and shape of them and your kitchen.

There's a trick you can use to figure out where to place the knobs without just randomly drilling a bunch of holes into the cabinet face and hoping for the best. Head out to the hardware store and pick up a small tub of plumber's putty. Plumbers putty is a non-hardening compound that's slightly tacky. You can pull off little dollops of it then use it to just stick the knobs to the cabinet.

Here's what you'll do.

Open up the tub of Plumber's putty.

Pinch off a piece of putty about the size of the tip of your thumb.

Roll it into a ball.

Take the cabinet hardware and press the putty onto the back of it. Now you can just stick the knob onto the cabinet face wherever you think it will look right. Repeat this for a couple of the doors so you can get an overall feel for how the knobs will look sitting in a row. You can reposition the knobs just by popping them off the cabinet face and sticking them back on in a new spot.

Once you've figured out the right look for the cabinet you'll need to measure the knob offsets from the bottom and side edge of the cabinets. You can then use those measurements as a template for knob placement. Mark the offsets on each of the cabinets and double check to make sure they aren't slanting up or down.

The last thing to do is attach the hardware. Just drill the holes in the cabinet and slide a bolt through the hole and tighten the knobs down onto it. It's all a pretty simple job. Where to place knobs on a cabinet is a completely personal choice. You'll know what looks right once you get the knobs in position.

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Kitchen Design - Kitchen Cabinet Knobs

Are you ready to tackle your home remodeling project? Think it cannot be accomplished without overall chaos, dust and dirt everywhere and a long, drawn out process? Wrong! Updating your kitchen design can be done in a few simple steps - and best of all - without calling in a professional! Follow these guidelines to accomplish the easiest do it yourself project today. What do you have to wait for?

Get Organized
Getting organized for a home remodeling project is the hardest but most critical step in any project. Between managing a home, running errands, work and picking up the children, your time is quite limited. Since you are going to be renovating your kitchen, you will need to create an additional make shift kitchen area. This includes space to do basic cooking, food storage, family meals, homework and other tasks that typically take place in the kitchen and adjacent eating area. Plan ahead and try to make or purchase frozen meals that can be easily cooked without using many pots and pans. Designate an appropriate homework space that will help children study without distractions such as gaming systems and computers unless necessary. Family meals can be fun and adventurous; try sitting on cushions on the floor and having a picnic.

Create a Budget
Skip the daily caffeine high that you're accustomed to as well as the quick trips to the mall. These unnecessary trips can quickly add up without you even knowing it. Watch the money you would have otherwise spent accumulate quickly for your renovation project. Not only will you be eliminating spending but also cutting down on calories consumed with your latte. Now that you have a budget, when you are ready to purchase your replacement parts, stick to what you can afford. Going over budget is a major home renovation no-no.

Do Your Homework
Before you take a crowbar to your ugly cabinets, be sure to do the necessary research on kitchen cabinet knobs and pulls. Determine what style and look you would like to achieve before you entirely destroy your kitchen cabinet units and the dust amasses. Write down the costs of the styles you think you'd like and consult your budget to see what you can afford.

Get Dirty
One of the best parts of redesigning your kitchen is removing the old kitchen accessories, including kitchen cabinet knobs. Prying cracked or old cabinetry with a crow bar or hammer can be a major stress and frustration reliever. If you want to keep your children occupied, have them help you unscrew the smaller parts, depending on their ages. Be sure to keep a running list of the parts you will need to purchase, including the number of screws, hinges, knobs and doors.

Replace and Redesign
Once your cabinet and knobs have been thrown out, it's time to purchase the replacements. Traditional kitchen cabinets are made of solid wood or vinyl with a wooden finish. Knobs are most often made of stainless steel, chrome, brass, iron, nickel or colored glass. Depending on your kitchen's design, you'll want to pick the material that best reflects your style. For contemporary kitchens, stainless steel accessories are ideal, especially if you are a stickler for germs. Fun kitchen knobs and pulls in colored glass are always an easy way to kick up the glamour in any kitchen; these handles can be custom made in any color to match existing wall paper, paint or other accessories.

While choosing material and finishes are important, so is the placement of your kitchen cabinet knobs. Waist level cabinets are easily opened by having traditional sized knobs and pulls in the center of the cabinet. However, cabinets that are shoulder level or overhead may be easily accessed with larger, centered pulls. This way, you can quickly grab dinnerware or pans without missing the pull. This cuts down on preparation time and frustration overall.

kitchen cabinet handles

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