Cabinet hardware guide: styles, sizes and placement

New hardware is the fastest, cheapest way to update cabinets. Getting the size and placement right is what makes it look designed instead of bolted on.

Knobs or pulls?

The classic mix is knobs on doors and pulls on drawers. All pulls reads modern and is easier to grab with full hands. Cup (bin) pulls suit farmhouse and traditional drawers. Edge and finger pulls almost disappear on slab doors.

Pull size

Aim for a pull about one third the width of the drawer. Drawers 36" and wider look best with two pulls or one long appliance-style pull. The cabinet pull size calculator picks a standard size and counts what to order.

Where it goes

• Base cabinet doors: on the corner opposite the hinge, 2" to 3" down from the top.
• Wall cabinet doors: 2" to 3" up from the bottom.
• Drawers: centered left to right; on tall drawers, centered in the top third or in the top rail of a shaker front.
• Pantry doors: a long vertical pull around hand height.

Finishes

Match hardware to your faucet and lighting, or use it as a deliberate accent: matte black or brass pulls on white or wood cabinets are a popular pairing. See finishes compared.

Replacing hardware

Measure center to center (between the screw holes) on your existing pulls and buy the same size, or plan to fill and redrill the old holes. A drilling template keeps every pull in the same spot.

Common questions

Should cabinet hardware match the faucet?

It does not have to. Many designers match the faucet and use hardware as an accent, but stick to one or two metals in a room.

Where do you put knobs on cabinet doors?

On the side opposite the hinge, 2" to 3" from the top on base cabinets and 2" to 3" from the bottom on wall cabinets.

What size pulls for a 36 inch drawer?

Two pulls about 5" to 6" each, or one long 12" pull.