How to Install Kitchen Cabinet Door & Drawer Pulls
“You get one shot to drill the perfect hole, so measure three times before you press the button!”
This project ain’t as easy as it looks, kids! Sometimes it’s the “little stuff” that can just kill you on your projects and this is case in point! Not trying to scare anyone, but being realistic. There is no room for error on this project - installing your cabinet pulls means that every one needs to be straight, in the same space and spot as the next, and leaves no room for error. You get one shot to drill the perfect hole, so measure three times before you press the button! Let me share a few tips to help this go as smoothly and perfectly as possible:
Investment
Money | $2-$8 per pull
Time | 15 minutes per door or drawer
Supplies*
Pulls of choice. The trend is “bigger is better.” My pulls have 5 ½” between screw points.
Tape Measure
½ wood for template (may need two depending on desired placement and style of drawers)
Pencil
Steps
Decide placement of pulls. Make sure you have a total width of at least ½” thickness of wood. Most pulls come with two different sizes of screws. Cabinets will typically be ½” thick and need the shorter screws, whereas the drawers are often an 1” thick with the drawer itself and then the “face” on the front of it and need the longer screws.
Create a template. This is your model for all of them, so gotta get this right. :) The easiest way is to measure from the top of the drawer, bottom or side depending on your desired placement so that you can line the edge of your template up with the edge of the door/drawer. Then measure from the edge how far in you want the pull to be. Measure the length between the pulls (center of screw hole to center of other screw hole). Mark with pencil. Use the same size drill bit as your screw. This is going to be a “loose” hole for your screw; you’re just trying to get the screw through the hole to screw into the pull, not to actually screw through the wood with a tight fit.
Verify template is perfect by installing a pull and making sure your holes are the right space apart. If they are not, start over and drill new holes in a new board. Use a level to make sure you pull is straight (horizontal or vertical depending on preference).
When you are ready and the template is correct, try to find a piece of wood to practice on. If you don’t have one, carefully place template against cabinet drawer and use two clamps to secure it. Using template holes, drill with drill bit through cabinet door/drawer. Remove template and install pull. Remember, once chance. Measure twice!
Keep rolling and enjoy the project! Depending on the number of pulls you have…you might be here a while, but…
Enjoy the Project
Playlist | Carly Pearce by Spotify
Wine | Precision (No kidding!)
*My site may contain affiliate links where I receive a small percentage of commission from the company for sales generated on behalf of my blog. Your price does not increase, and I never include links for any products I don’t use, like and recommend. Thanks for your support!
