Confused about where to place the knobs and handles on your new kitchen cabinets? You’re not alone! With this guide, you’ll learn how to find the perfect placement of these important design details, giving your kitchen a distinct look. Enhancing your home’s style is easier than you think – let’s get started!
Choosing the Right Knobs and Handles
It may seem like a minor detail, but choosing the right knobs and handles for your kitchen cabinetry is important for both form and function. Factors including shape, size, finish, and placement can all influence the final look of your kitchen as well as how accessible the cabinets are.
When it comes to placing knobs and handles on kitchen cabinets, there are a few common practices to consider. Handles should generally be placed between 18-20 inches from the top of the cabinet box and at least 3 inches from any corner. This applies whether you’re hanging knobs or drawer pulls; just make sure their size isn’t excessive as it won’t look aesthetically pleasing. For unique cabinetry designs such as angled boxes, radius doors, or curved frontings, calling in a professional is recommended to ensure proper installation.
Should you choose knobs or handles? This largely comes down to personal preference: You may find that one looks better than the other with specific cabinets in mind. When working with two different sizes of the cabinet – small ones above larger ones – opt for smaller knobs or handles above while using larger ones on lower doors.
Taking into account all these factors can bring a cohesive sense of design to your kitchen space, highlighting its overall aesthetic quality in turn!
Placement for Knobs
The placement of knobs and handles on kitchen cabinets can have a big impact on the appearance and functionality of your kitchen. When deciding where to put knobs and handles, there are a few key factors to consider.
First, the height of the hardware should be consistent throughout the kitchen. Hardware should typically be placed in the center of each cabinet door, lower than one-third up from the bottom. The same applies for drawers – center your hardware and mount it no higher than one-third down from the top.
For full access convenience, install pulls rather than knobs on drawers wider than 24 inches. For both drawers and doors, it’s best to go for large enough hardware for ease of gripping so your fingers can wrap around easily; if you have smaller hands then slightly smaller pulls might work better for you.
When choosing handles, aim to keep their shape in line with that of your other hardware such as faucets or lighting fixtures. Look out for consistent finishes too so that you create an aesthetically pleasing look and feel in your kitchen space – however, don’t forget many stores now offer unique designs with a variety of colors or finishes to choose from!
If you are unsure about which handles to choose, it may be helpful to consult with a kitchen cabinet provider. They can offer expert guidance and advice on the best hardware options for your space, and can also help to ensure that the overall design is functional and meets your specific needs.
Placement for Handles
Handles are traditionally placed on the vertical edges of the cabinet door. This is done to make it easy to open and close. There are two basic rules when it comes to placing handles on kitchen cabinets:
- Always make sure that you place the handle on the same side as the other knob or handle.
- Try to keep all handles oriented in the same direction (e.g., vertical, horizontal, or diagonal).
The exact placement of a handle will depend on what type of look and style you’re going for. If you choose an elongated handle, such as a D-handle or an L-handle, these should be aligned with the length of your cabinets for easy use and aesthetics. On shaker-style cabinets, consider installing handles along the vertical edge at an equal distance from each other. Traditional-style kitchen cabinets may look best with handles centred along each door’s height; this type of symmetry modernizes older kitchens and balances out highly ornamental hardware and styling features in newer ones. Consider how common grips like bar and T-bar fit in; these can be aligned horizontally or vertically depending on preference but should be uniform across all cabinet doors and adjacent drawers when possible.
Aesthetics aside, user comfort is important when deciding on placement – especially if you’re planning to install multiple doors with uniform hardware that opens in both directions: if placed too far apart horizontally makes it feels awkward to close one while opening another, consider spacing them closer together so that actions feel smoother without compromising function or design fairness in any way. Finally, keep up with maintenance after installation – tightening any hinges that have been loosened over time by daily use ensures your cabinet stays operational while still looking fabulous year-round!
Benefits of Proper Knob and Handle Placement
Properly placing knobs and handles on kitchen cabinets can make opening doors and drawers easier, as well as minimize wear and tear. Having the correct placement also adds to the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. In general, knobs should be placed 18 inches from the floor and around 5 to 6 inches from either corner, while pulls should be slightly lower than knobs, approximately at hip height for most adults.
When deciding which type to use for a particular cabinet, consider factors including ease of use, design, comfortability, and likelihood it’s going to be used frequently or not.
For heavier cabinets or drawers such as those holding cookware or small appliances, consider use of long pulls that fit two hands better. These should be placed no more than 2 ⅝ inches away from each end so they are easy to access with both hands. If you intend to hang light items like utensils on your cabinets or drawers you may want to select a pull that extends further away where it has more strength again two hands would work best in this case as well.
If you have an older cabinetry design with a large center panel it is beneficial for leverage purposes when using off-center placement for pulls – allowing for your hand freedom without much resistance when gripping the handle without making contact with an adjacent door or drawer facade surface. Newer styles usually come with pre-drilled holes so keep this in mind when making decisions about placement in order to go our own way instead of following pre-set incursions established by manufacturers.
Ultimately, what matters most is that you feel comfortable with the knob and handle placement which will provide smooth access anytime you need it!
DIY Installation Tips
Installing knobs and handles on kitchen cabinets is a simple DIY task that can be done using minimal tools. There are no rigid rules when it comes to deciding where to place them, but there are various guidelines you should consider.
The easiest way to determine the correct placement of the knobs and handles is to measure from the top corner of the door or drawer that will open outward. Pull-out drawers usually require one knob or handle in the center of the drawer face, whereas cabinets with doors commonly require two knobs or one handle placed so that your fingers will naturally wrap around it when opening. Drawers with long pulls should be centered below knee height for easy access.
It’s important to ensure that whatever pulls you select to have a good grip so they won’t pull off when used. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions regarding installation height—this may vary depending on styles and brands—and always use screws of the right length so they don’t go through your cabinet doors and drawers. Generally, knobs are installed 2–3 inches down from the top edge of a door or drawer front, while long pulls should be positioned slightly lower than halfway—the distance between either side of the pull should match up with both sides when centered.
Lay out all your hardware items on a flat surface before beginning installation to double-check what you need and familiarize yourself with how everything looks together in its finished state which can help avoid any trial-and-error mishaps along the way!
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I space my cabinet knobs or handles?
The most common spacing for knobs or handles is 2-3 inches apart. This will give you enough room to comfortably open and close the cabinet while still looking uniform.
Where should I place my cabinet hardware?
The most common placement for cabinet hardware is centered between the top and bottom of the cabinet door, or in the middle of the drawer. If the placement looks off balance, you can also place them closer to the top or bottom.
What type of hardware is best for my kitchen cabinets?
The best type of hardware for kitchen cabinets is one that is durable and easy to clean. Look for hardware made of stainless steel, bronze, or brass. These materials are more resistant to rust and wear than other materials.
Conclusion
When it comes to hardware for your kitchen cabinets, the placement of knobs and handles is an important detail to consider. While functionality should always be the priority in any remodel or renovation, taking into account aesthetic elements can also help create a unique and stylish space.
The best place for knob and handle placement depends on your preferences, design style, and cabinet layout. For most standard cabinetry that is no more than 24 inches deep, knobs are usually placed on the upper portion of the cabinet doors while handles are best suited below that point. When transitioning between drawers and doors close together, pulls should be used rather than single knobs or handles in these areas. To create variation in your kitchen space without being too overwhelming, it’s best to stick with one type of knob or handle throughout all cabinetry.
No matter where you place them, these special features contribute greatly to the overall look of your kitchen space – so it’s important to plan carefully when adding decorative pieces such as knobs and handles!
