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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.

If you’re brave enough to tackle building your own cabinet bases, you’re brave enough to install them yourself. You’ll need a stud finder to get you started, but the installation will be a breeze if you’ve already done all the hard work to build the cabinet bases yourself. If you’re hanging upper cabinets, you’ll need a helper, though, to balance the weight of the cabinets and make the process easier.

There are several ways to save money and keep costs down when building an outdoor kitchen. Building on an existing patio can reduce the cost of a new foundation, especially if it's close to the house. You can also save on utility line installation by opting out of a sink and using a built-in propane or charcoal grill. If you have the skills, tackling parts of the project yourself—like building or finishing cabinets, installing fixtures, and constructing seating—can lead to significant savings. Reusing appliances you already have is another great way to cut costs. Finally, consider starting small with just the essential components and adding more features over time as your budget allows.

In most cases, it’s more affordable to refinish your cabinets than replace them, with refinishing costs averaging $3,000 and replacement costs around $9,000. However, there are some instances in which it’s better to replace your cabinets, like if they’re an outdated style, badly damaged and beyond repair, or a sub-par material, like fiberboard. In all other cases, it’s usually a better idea to have a professional refinish them to save money and restore their original condition.