The kitchen is often the heart of the house, so you want to make sure yours aligns with your style and needs. One key part of your kitchen is cabinet hardware, which can change the appearance and functionality of your cabinet doors and drawers.
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While updating and installing hardware might seem tricky, it’s often much easier than you think. Explore our guide below to learn about the kinds of cabinet hardware and how you can install pulls, handles and other hardware on cabinets and drawers properly for a beautiful space.
WHAT IS CABINET HARDWARE?
In a kitchen, the term “cabinet hardware” refers to the knobs, pulls and handles you might have on your cabinets. This hardware allows you to open and close your cabinets and drawers. Several styles and options are available, and the result has more of an impact than you might think.
For example, cabinet knobs are easy to grab and add a classic finish to your cabinet doors and drawers. In comparison, handles add to a kitchen’s sleek and sophisticated design. These options come in various styles and thicknesses, allowing you to choose the perfect option for your kitchen’s design and your needs.
WHY SHOULD YOU INSTALL CABINET DOOR AND DRAWER HARDWARE?
While you can install cabinet doors that don’t require hardware at all, you may want to consider hardware anyway. Here are some functional and practical reasons why installing hardware is a great idea:
1. CREATES ADDED VISUAL APPEAL
Installing hardware allows you to add your personal touch to your kitchen. Simply updating the kind of pulls or handles you use for your cabinets can change the atmosphere from a cozy cottage kitchen to a sophisticated modern space.
2. ALLOWS FOR A CLEANER KITCHEN
Whether you’re cooking or eating in your kitchen, it can become a messy space. When your cabinets don’t have pulls, it can be hard to properly open them, especially when you need something and your hands are dirty.
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With cabinet hardware, it’s easy to open and close cabinets and drawers without getting food residue all over the cabinet. Then, when it’s time to clean, all you have to do is wipe down the hardware.
3. IS AN ECONOMICAL CHOICE
A complete kitchen renovation can be time-consuming and expensive. If you’re interested in giving your kitchen a visual and functional upgrade without having to undergo a full kitchen remodel, consider replacing your cabinet hardware. This quick change can go a long way in helping your space look brand new.
TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT HARDWARE
Picking hardware for your kitchen is both a design and functionality decision. The result must work for you and your kitchen but also fit your style and personality. Here are some points to consider when choosing between the types of hardware for your kitchen.
1. CHOOSE THE HARDWARE LAST
If you’re completely renovating your kitchen, leave your hardware selection for one of your final decisions. This way, you can use the rest of your kitchen’s design to inform your choice. The colors and materials used in your kitchen can help you select cabinet hardware that aligns perfectly with your overall design.
2. CONSIDER MATCHING
While your kitchen cabinet hardware doesn’t have to match your kitchen’s other elements exactly, it’s recommended to maintain a similar theme between components like faucets, lighting and hardware. The result will give you a cohesive look.
Consider some of the finishes that knobs, pulls and handles come in:
- Black
- Nickle
- Gold
- Bronze
- Brass
- Chrome
If you have any other patterns in your kitchen, such as in the tiles or wall design, think about reflecting them in the shape of your hardware. For example, you might choose oval or rectangle knobs or arched or recessed handles, depending on your kitchen’s other design features.
Overall, feel free to add touches of your unique personality by using hardware in interesting colors and designs — just make sure its overall look corresponds with the rest of your kitchen so you create a put-together look.
3. FEEL FREE TO MAKE CHANGES LATER
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One of the many advantages of cabinet hardware is that it’s fairly easy to change or upgrade later. Suppose in a few years or months, you decide you prefer another design. In that case, you remove your existing hardware and replace it with a new option that better fits your needs. Often, it’s as simple as unscrewing the old hardware and screwing the new option onto the cabinet.
4. THINK ABOUT YOUR CABINETS
Of course, your cabinet style will influence which kind of hardware you select. A more traditional cabinet style might call for simple knobs that don’t distract from the classic appearance. In comparison, modern cabinets that provide a minimalist look could benefit from sleek stainless steel bars to hone in on that contemporary feel.
Ultimately, you should evaluate your current cabinet style and focus on hardware options that would complement it, not distract from it.
WHAT YOU NEED FOR HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Once you choose your hardware, it’s time to install it. Alongside a drill, you’ll need the following items to install your new knobs, pulls or handles:
1. ADHESIVE PUTTY
Ensure you have some adhesive putty on hand. You’ll want to temporarily place your hardware on each cabinet before you install it to ensure you have the right spot before making a hole. You can try different locations to see which is the most comfortable and visually appealing for your kitchen.
2. TAPE MEASURE, TEMPLATE OR MOUNTING JIG
There are different ways to create holes for hardware in your kitchen cabinets or drawers. Ideally, you want the result to be the same throughout your kitchen, so creating highly similar holes in the same places is important. Here are your options:
- Tape measure: This option requires patience, as you’ll be measuring out every hole with it. However, tape measures are staples in toolboxes, so you likely already have one on hand. A tip for using a tape measure is to write down the measurement you get for each similar type of cabinet, so you have to do less measuring overall.
- Template: Investing in a template might make sense if you have a large kitchen with several cabinets and drawers. A template will allow you to mark the exact distances on your drawers and cabinets, allowing for greater precision. It also makes the job faster, as you won’t have to measure each cabinet or drawer. A tip for using a template is to cover all the other holes you won’t be using with tape. This will eliminate the opportunity for error and marking different spots on different cabinet or drawer fronts.
- Mounting jig: This tool is used by most professionals, as it allows the user to customize the holes accurately and efficiently. Once the initial measurement is done, you can simply move the mounting jig to the next spot. This option is best for those who have large kitchens with extensive cabinetry work, or those who also want to replace cabinet hardware in other areas of the home.
3. SUPERGLUE
Consider using superglue when installing rectangular or square knobs specifically. Applying superglue right to the back of the piece strengthens the attachment to the cabinet or drawer front and adds extra strength to the tension. Some knobs tend to twist over time, especially if there’s only one screw involved. Adding superglue will help discourage this and keep them in place.
4. THREAD SEALANT
Using a thread sealant can help the screws stay in place. Add a small amount to the back of the screw before screwing it into place, which naturally coats the screw as you tighten it into the handle or knob. Thread sealant encourages the screw to stay in place over time.
5. WOOD PUTTY AND SANDPAPER
If you end up making holes incorrectly or need to cover old holes, use wood putty to cover them up. After applying the wood putty to the incorrect hole, lightly sand the area and repaint the spot the same color as your cabinets.
HOW TO INSTALL HARDWARE ON DRAWERS AND CABINET DOORS
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens
