Planning to renovate or remodel your kitchen? You are probably thinking about upgrading your cabinets, installing new countertops, or switching appliances. With such a big and exciting project, however, it’s no wonder homeowners sometimes forget crucial details – like where to place kitchen cabinet knobs.
Is hardware placement really that important when upgrading kitchen cabinets in Baltimore, MD? As one of the leading cabinet manufacturers for Baltimore, Current Cabinetry has seen how doing it wrong can create more problems than it solves, so we’ve provided some handy knob-placement pointers below.
Contents hide
1 Different Kinds of Cabinetry Hardware
2 Where To Position Pulls and Knobs on Cabinet Doors
2.1 Traditional vs. Modern Hardware Placement for Cabinets
2.2 Drawer Knob and Pull Placements
2.3 Base Cabinet Hardware Positioning
2.4 Wall Cabinet Knob Placement
3 Elevate Your Cabinets Today With Help From Current Cabinetry
Different Kinds of Cabinetry Hardware
Before learning about cabinet knob positioning, it helps to understand the different types of hardware. For example:
- Knobs. Knobs are basic pieces of hardware that only require one hole and one screw to install. They’re available in various shapes, colors, and materials, so they’ll enhance any cabinet style or kitchen design.
- Pulls. Cabinet pulls offer slightly more functionality. Pulls are easy for people to “grab and pull” without having to hold tightly to a small piece of hardware. When using pulls, you should focus on the symmetry of your cabinet drawers and doors to ensure that everything feels proportionate.
- Cup Pulls. These cabinetry features are similar to standard pulls. The difference is their rounded cup shape that allows fingers to slide under and grasp the pull from below. Some people find them more comfortable.
- Finger Pulls. Finger or tab pulls are more contemporary. Instead of screwing them into a door or drawer, you mount them on the top or bottom edge of your cabinetry to create a lip.
Where To Position Pulls and Knobs on Cabinet Doors
Want to know where to place kitchen cabinet knobs? Sometimes, cabinetry manufacturers will describe specific placements for their units. You might see some pre-drilled holes in the craftspeople’s recommended position that you can also customize based on measurements.
Still, drilling or mounting your own hardware can make the placement quite tricky – alignment is absolutely key. Experts like Current Cabinetry will always consider the form and function of your units to ensure the positioning offers you the most accessibility. The alignment also effectively elevates the overall visual appeal of your cabinets and drawers.
Since there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, here’s a deeper breakdown of different knob and pull placements for your cabinetry:
Traditional vs. Modern Hardware Placement for Cabinets
Do you have five-piece cabinets with horizontal rails on their tops and bottoms, vertical stiles on their sides, and door panels or drawer fronts? Often, these setups have cabinet handle placement around the corner of the face frame. That way, the knob or pull is on the panel but centered on the rail and stile.
Pulls center on the corner of cabinet doors. For upper cabinets, the pulls traditionally go in the bottom corner. They’re symmetrical with the top of the pulls on base cabinets.
For a more contemporary aesthetic, you could put knobs or pulls higher and lower on upper and lower cabinets, respectively. Both modern and traditional placements offer great functionality and accessibility into kitchen storage spaces.
Drawer Knob and Pull Placements
Knowing where to place kitchen cabinet knobs is easy if your drawers are 24 inches wide or under – you only need one knob in the center of the drawer front. Take precise measurements of the drawer.
For two knobs, designers prefer the hardware on either side of the drawer’s center symmetrically; the same rule applies to pulls. You could also raise the position of the hardware slightly if you want to improve the drawer’s leverage.
Base Cabinet Hardware Positioning
For optimal leverage when opening base cabinets, designers recommend that you install pulls or knobs opposite the door’s hinges. Ideally, make this two to three inches from the top of the panel and one inch from its edge. That puts the hardware low enough to be accessible with an overhanging countertop.
Wall Cabinet Knob Placement
What’s the best place to put hardware on upper cabinets? Using the panel’s bottom corner, of course, and following the same two-to-three-inch rule. Upper and lower cabinets’ knobs or pulls should align perfectly, too.
Elevate Your Cabinets Today With Help From Current Cabinetry
Whether you need help determining where to place kitchen cabinet knobs or learning kitchen cabinet standard sizes, you can count on Current Cabinetry to deliver the best solutions. As Baltimore, Maryland’s top cabinet manufacturers, we offer:
- Direct sales
- Fully stocked warehouses with high-quality cabinetry
- 3D renderings for creating the ultimate kitchen layout
Experience our outstanding products and world-class customer service for yourself – call (410) 609-7077 today for a consultation!