Replace Cabinet Hardware

Replacing cabinet hardware is a breeze if the existing and replacement hardware has the same size screw and, for pieces with two screws, the same spacing between screws. To check length and spacing, remove one of each hardware type you're replacing and measure the screw length and the distance between the centers of the screws.

If the new cabinet hardware isn't an exact match, we'll show you how to make it work, starting at step 5.

Unscrew the hinges, pulls and knobs you're replacing. To remove knobs, you can use a screwdriver to keep the screw from turning while you twist the knob counterclockwise.  If the screw is hard to turn, squirt it with a little silicone lubricant and then give it a twist.

If you're using hardware with the same hole spacing, skip to step 7.

Wipe off dirt and fingerprints around the hardware screw holes with a mild household cleanser on a damp sponge. Rinse off any residue.

If your new hardware doesn't fit the old holes, you need to fill the old holes and drill new ones.

To fill the holes, use wood filler (also called wood putty) that matches the cabinet color as closely as possible. Follow label directions carefully. The filler can shrink as it dries, so you might need to add more after the first application dries.

Once the hole is fully filled, sand it very lightly to smooth the filled hole. If your cabinets are painted, you can touch up the area around the cabinet hardware if the filler color isn't an exact match.

To keep your cabinet hardware placement consistent for all drawers and for all doors, create a template of each different drawer face or door handle area  — you can use thin cardboard, such as an empty cereal box. Mark the template with the location of the screw holes for the new knob or pull, measuring carefully:

• For a drawer, make sure the handle is centered vertically.
• For a cabinet door, place holes one or two inches from the edge.
• For pulls with two screws, make sure the distance you mark is the same as the distance between the screws.

Tape the template securely to the door or drawer and drill through the marks. Use the drill bit size the manufacturer recommends; if no instructions came with your hardware, use a drill bit slightly thinner than the thickness of the screw.

Repeat for each drawer and door, taping the template securely in place and drilling through the holes you drilled in the template.

Install your new hardware by pushing the new screws through the holes from the inside of the drawer or door. Align the screws with the screw holes in the cabinet hardware. Tighten the screws until the hardware is snug, but don't tighten so hard that you dent the cabinet.