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The 1/3 rule is a design guideline used by interior designers and cabinet installers to select appropriately sized pulls for cabinets and drawers. The rule suggests that for a balanced and cohesive look, a cabinet pull should be approximately one-third the height of the cabinet door or one-third the width of the drawer face. This guideline helps create a symmetrical appearance because the human eye tends to follow the length of the pull across the cabinet face.

While the 1/3 rule is a helpful starting point, it is not the only option. If a measurement falls between available pull sizes, it's generally best to size up. For an ultra-contemporary aesthetic, you can also opt for full-width pulls that span the entire drawer.

It’s best to stick with lightweight cabinets, such as medium-density fiberboard, if you don’t have a wall stud to secure them to. Unless you’re attaching the cabinet to a flat board attached to wall studs, it’s best not to risk it with heavy cabinetry or contents. Solid wood cabinets and heavy dishware should be avoided if you cannot secure the cabinet to a wall stud. Either way, always check the weight on your wall anchors and be sure not to exceed it.

In a kitchen installation, starting with the foundation and structural elements before moving on to the finishing touches is essential. Framing, plumbing, and utilities should go first, followed by cabinetry and countertops, then plumbing fixtures and new appliances. Flooring, paint, tile backsplashes, and similar finishing touches should get installed last.

Any of your garage shelves should be able to hold heavier loads, but it’s best to place heavier items on middle shelves. The only reason for this is to prevent injury—lifting heavy loads from down low requires squatting or bending over, which can lead to back injury, and lifting heavy loads off of high shelves in the garage can be especially dangerous if you drop them.