Can you install handles on kitchen drawers yourself? Yes, absolutely! With a few basic tools and a little patience, anyone can successfully install handles on kitchen drawers and update their kitchen cabinet hardware. This guide will walk you through every step, making the process of attaching drawer knobs and installing kitchen drawer pulls a breeze.
Getting Ready: What You Need Before You Start
Before you dive into cabinet handle mounting, gathering the right supplies is key. This ensures a smooth process and a professional-looking finish.
Essential Tools
- Drill/Driver: A cordless drill is your best friend here. It makes drilling holes and driving screws much faster.
- Drill Bits: You’ll need a drill bit that matches the diameter of your drawer pull screws. A 1/8-inch bit is common, but check your hardware’s specifications.
- Screwdriver: If your drill doesn’t have a setting for screws, a Phillips head screwdriver is essential.
- Measuring Tape: For accurate placement of your handles.
- Pencil: To mark your drilling spots.
- Painter’s Tape: Helps prevent wood splintering and provides a guide for drilling.
- Level: To ensure your handles are straight.
Choosing Your Hardware
The type of kitchen drawer pulls or knobs you choose will influence the installation process.
- Single-Hole Knobs: These require drilling just one hole.
- Two-Hole Pulls: These require two holes for screws. This is the most common type for kitchen drawers.
Drawer Pull Screw Length: This is a crucial detail. Your screws need to be long enough to go through the drawer face and into the handle, but not so long that they stick out the other side or are too difficult to drive. Most cabinet hardware comes with screws, but sometimes you might need to buy them separately. Measure your drawer face thickness and add the thickness of the handle itself. A drawer pull screw length of about 1 inch to 1.5 inches is typical for standard drawer fronts.
Selecting a Drawer Front Drilling Jig
For precise and repeatable holes, especially if you have multiple drawers or are attaching drawer knobs, a drawer front drilling jig is a fantastic investment. It helps ensure your holes are perfectly aligned and spaced, even if you’re not using pre-drilled holes.
Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Kitchen Drawer Pulls
Now, let’s get to the actual installation. We’ll cover both single-hole knobs and two-hole pulls.
Step 1: Hardware Placement – Deciding Where to Put Your Handles
This is where good hardware placement makes all the difference in the look and feel of your drawers.
For Single-Hole Knobs:
- Center Placement: The most common and easiest placement is directly in the center of the drawer face.
- Measuring: Measure the height and width of the drawer face. Divide both measurements by two to find the exact center point. Mark this spot with your pencil.
For Two-Hole Pulls:
- Symmetrical Placement: Most people prefer a symmetrical look. Decide how far from the top and sides you want the holes to be.
- Common Spacing: A common practice is to place the holes a certain distance from the edges, often around 1.5 to 3 inches from the sides, and about 1 to 2 inches from the top.
- Measuring and Marking:
- Measure the distance between the two screw holes on your pull itself. This is the “center-to-center” measurement.
- Find the center point of your drawer face vertically (height divided by two).
- From that center line, measure half of your pull’s center-to-center distance to the left and mark a spot.
- Measure the same distance to the right of the center line and mark another spot.
- Use your level to ensure these two marks are perfectly horizontal.
Pro Tip: Use painter’s tape over the area where you plan to drill. Mark your spots on the tape. This helps prevent the drill bit from slipping and reduces wood splintering.
Step 2: Drawer Face Drilling – Creating the Holes
This is the most critical step for a clean installation.
Using a Drawer Front Drilling Jig:
If you have a jig, follow its instructions. Most jigs have adjustable guides that you can set to your desired hole spacing and position.
- Set Up the Jig: Align the jig with the edge of your drawer face and secure it.
- Position the Drill Guides: Adjust the jig’s guides to match your measured hardware placement.
- Drill: Place your drill bit into the jig’s guide and drill through the drawer face. The jig will ensure the hole is straight and in the exact location.
Without a Jig:
This method requires careful measuring and a steady hand.
- Secure the Drawer (Optional but Recommended): If possible, remove the drawer from the cabinet. This gives you a stable surface. If you can’t remove it, ensure the drawer is firmly closed and supported.
- Mark Your Spots: Double-check your pencil marks.
- Apply Painter’s Tape: Place painter’s tape over the marked spots.
- Drill the Pilot Hole:
- Hold your drill straight up and down (perpendicular to the drawer face).
- Start the drill at a slow speed to create a small indentation, ensuring the bit doesn’t wander.
- Increase speed and drill through the drawer face.
- Important: Stop drilling as soon as the drill bit pokes through the other side. Pushing too hard can cause the wood to splinter badly.
Step 3: Attaching Drawer Knobs and Pulls
This is the satisfying part where your drawer starts to look finished!
For Single-Hole Knobs:
- Insert the Screw: From the inside of the drawer, push the screw through the pre-drilled hole.
- Thread the Knob: Screw the knob onto the screw from the outside of the drawer.
- Tighten: Tighten the knob securely, but don’t overtighten, as this can strip the screw or crack the knob.
For Two-Hole Pulls:
- Insert the Screws: From the inside of the drawer, push the screws through the pre-drilled holes.
- Align the Pull: From the outside, align the holes in the pull with the screws.
- Thread the Screws: Start threading the screws into the pull by hand to ensure they catch the threads correctly.
- Tighten: Use your drill or screwdriver to tighten the screws. Alternate between the two screws to ensure the pull is seated evenly against the drawer face. Again, avoid overtightening.
Step 4: Final Touches and Adjustments
Once your handles are attached, take a step back and admire your work.
- Check Alignment: Ensure the handles are straight and level. If a handle is slightly off, loosen the screws slightly, make the adjustment, and retighten.
- Test Functionality: Open and close the drawer to make sure the new hardware doesn’t interfere with the drawer slides or the cabinet itself. If you’re installing new drawer slides along with updating your cabinet hardware, this is a crucial check.
Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Drawer Handles
Q: What if my drawer faces have pre-drilled holes?
A: If your drawers already have holes, measure the distance between them (center-to-center) and compare it to the center-to-center measurement of the pulls you want to install. If they match, you can use the existing holes. If they don’t match, you’ll need to fill the old holes and drill new ones in your desired location. Wood filler and touch-up paint can help conceal old holes.
Q: Can I install drawer pulls on a cabinet that doesn’t have pre-drilled holes?
A: Yes! As detailed in this guide, you can drill new holes for your cabinet handle mounting. Using a drilling jig is highly recommended for precision.
Q: What is the best way to avoid splintering when drilling drawer faces?
A: Several techniques help:
* Use painter’s tape over the drilling area.
* Drill slowly at first.
* Use a sharp drill bit.
* Don’t force the drill bit through the back; stop as soon as it emerges.
* Consider using a backing material like a scrap piece of wood clamped to the back of the drawer face, drilling through both simultaneously.
Q: How do I know what drawer pull screw length to buy?
A: Measure the thickness of your drawer face. Add the thickness of the part of the handle that sits on the drawer face. This total will give you the ideal screw length. Most cabinet hardware comes with screws that fit standard drawer thicknesses, but it’s always best to check the product specifications or measure your own drawer fronts if you’re unsure.
Q: My new handles don’t fit the existing holes. What should I do?
A: If the hole spacing is different, you have a couple of options:
1. Fill and Redrill: Use wood filler to fill the old holes, let it dry completely, sand it smooth, and then drill new holes in your preferred location.
2. Use a Backplate: Some drawer pulls come with or can accommodate a backplate. This decorative plate can cover wider spacing or misaligned holes.
Q: How do I install drawer slides if I’m also updating my hardware?
A: Installing drawer slides is a separate but related project. It involves mounting tracks to the cabinet frame and to the sides of the drawer box. Ensure the slides are level and parallel to each other for smooth operation. Many drawer slides come with detailed installation instructions.
Q: What if I make a mistake when drilling?
A: Don’t panic!
* For small errors or slightly misaligned holes, wood filler is your friend. Fill the hole, let it dry, sand, and then re-drill.
* If the mistake is larger or in a very visible spot, consider using a decorative backplate for your pull that can cover the imperfection.
* In some cases, you might need to replace the entire drawer front if the mistake is significant.
Updating Your Kitchen Cabinet Hardware: A Transformation
Updating your kitchen cabinet hardware, including installing new kitchen drawer pulls, is one of the most impactful and cost-effective ways to refresh your kitchen’s look. It’s a satisfying DIY project that can be completed in a single afternoon, breathing new life into your cabinetry. Whether you’re attaching drawer knobs or installing sleek, modern pulls, the process is straightforward with careful measurement and the right tools.
By following these steps for hardware placement, drawer face drilling, and attaching drawer knobs, you can achieve a professional finish that enhances the beauty and functionality of your kitchen. Enjoy your newly updated kitchen!