Where to Put Knobs and Handles on Kitchen Cabinets: Tips to Nail Your Hardware Placement

While they can seem like minor details in the grand scheme of your kitchen, knowing where to put knobs and handles on kitchen cabinets can make a big difference in the functionality and aesthetics of the space. On top of selecting hardware that complements your style, you’ll also want to install it in a position that is natural, accessible, and pleasing to the eye. Here are the key considerations and guidelines for where to install the knobs and handles on your kitchen cabinets.

Types of Cabinet Hardware: Choosing Between Knobs vs. Pulls

There are two main types of kitchen cabinet hardware: knobs and pulls. It’s most common to use handles on upper cabinets, with knobs on drawers and base cabinets, but either way can work, depending on the setup. 

In any case, there are tons of options to suit any budget, with the cost to install cabinet hardware ranging from as low as $100 to as high as $10,000. Where you place them will ultimately depend on the style and ergonomics of the hardware you choose, plus your personal preference. 

Knobs 

Knobs are similar to doorknobs (on a smaller scale) and come in many different designs and materials. They’re easy to install since they only require one screw to affix them to a cabinet. 

Bar Pulls

Bar pulls are slim bars that you attach to your cabinets. Like knobs, they come in more modern shapes like straight, slim bars or more traditional ones with curves and designs etched into them.

Cup Pulls

Cup pulls look like half-cups attached to your cabinets that you can slip your fingers underneath and pull out. These pulls provide a modern look on shaker cabinets or a farmhouse look on traditional cabinets.

Edge Pulls

Edge pulls, or tab pulls, don’t require any additional hardware because they’re affixed to the edges of the cabinets or carved out of the side. These are the most minimalist type of pulls since they have a low profile and blend in with the cabinets, so it looks like there’s no hardware at all.

Where to Place Cabinet Hardware

Along with your kitchen cabinet color, the overall style of your cabinets is a major factor in deciding where to put knobs and handles on kitchen cabinets. Here’s where to put knobs and handles on kitchen cabinets for these common styles.

Shaker

One of the most popular cabinet door styles, shaker doors have a clean, minimalistic design that features a flat, recessed center panel with square edges. With their simplistic design, shaker cabinets are versatile for traditional and modern kitchens.

Where to Place Hardware on Shaker Cabinets

For shaker cabinets, one option is to place hardware around two to three inches from the top or bottom of the cabinet and around one inch from the edge. It’s also common to center the hardware vertically and place it to the right of the panel, equidistant between the edge of the panel and the edge of the door.

Flat Panel (Slab Style)

A slab cabinet consists of a single flat panel with no raised or recessed elements. This simple and sleek style is especially suitable for modern decor, but it’s versatile enough for almost any setting. 

Where to Place Hardware on Flat Panel Cabinets

If your cabinets feature slab-style doors, you have the flexibility to place a knob or pull anywhere within the top ⅓ to ¼ section of the door. Again, keeping hardware around one inch from the edge of the door is usually a good rule. Alternatively, you can opt for a centered placement of the hardware, or nearly any custom arrangement you can think of based on your preferences.

Beadboard

Beadboard doors have vertical grooves or beaded detailing on the center panel, creating a charming cottage-inspired aesthetic. The beadboard paneling can be applied to the entire cabinet door or used as an accent on a specific section, such as the center panel. 

Where to Place Hardware on Beadboard Cabinets 

For beadboard cabinets, a good option is to position the hardware in the center of the beadboard panel vertically for a balanced and harmonious look. You can also place the hardware just below the beadboard panel, equidistant between the bottom of the panel and the bottom of the cabinet face.

Mullion/Glass Panel

Mullion doors have multiple small windows or glass inserts separated by wooden bars or mullions. They offer an elegant and ornamental touch, resembling the style of a traditional window. Glass panel cabinets can also come with a single insert of clear, frosted, or textured glass, adding a touch of visual interest while allowing you to display the dishware or other items within the cabinets.

Where to Place Hardware on Mullion Cabinets

A common approach is to vertically position the hardware in the center of each glass panel, creating a balanced and symmetrical look. If the cabinet has multiple intersecting mullions, you can also consider placing the hardware at the intersections to emphasize the architectural details and create a focal point. Similar to other paneled cabinets, another option is to position it just below the beadboard panel, at the midpoint between the bottom of the panel and the bottom of the cabinet face.

Drawer Fronts 

When it comes to placing hardware on drawer fronts, you have a few options. One approach is to place the hardware at the center of the drawer front both vertically and horizontally for a balanced, symmetrical look. You can also do top-centered placement, where the hardware is positioned at the upper center of the drawer front for a more contemporary feel. Generally, whenever a drawer has a raised or recessed panel rather than a flat surface, the most visually-pleasing solution is to perfectly center the hardware within the panel, while the most ergonomic is to place it above the panel near the top.

If your drawers are 24 inches wide or more, consider placing either two pulls or one long handle. When installing two pulls on a drawer, divide the drawer vertically into three even sections and place a pull in the center of the right and left sections. 

Tips For Placing Cabinet Hardware

Follow these additional tips for top-notch hardware placement.

• No matter the position of cabinet hardware, a cardinal rule is to ensure you are consistently placing each knob and handle at the exact same location on the drawer or cabinet. 

• Always use a measuring tape and level to align the hardware consistently on all doors and drawers.

• Mark your placement with a pencil before installing the hardware.

• If you’re torn on the placement, it’s always a good idea to stick pieces of painter’s tape first to test out the look of different positions. 

• To ensure that the hardware is easily accessible and comfortable to use, test the placement by mimicking the motion of opening and closing the cabinets to see if it feels natural. 

• If you’re still uncertain, don’t hesitate to reach out to a local cabinet installation company for expert guidance and a result you’re sure to love.