We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again –
hardware is an easy way to make a big impact in your space! Whether it’s swapping dated hardware for something new or picking cabinet hardware for a brand new space, it adds so much to the overall design.
However, when the hardware is poorly placed, it can make an otherwise awesome space look off. That’s why we’ve decided to pull together our best tips for making sure you place your hardware correctly. We know that placing knobs and pulls on cabinets can be difficult. Following these tips will help you make your awesome new hardware really shine!
Tip #1
In traditional spaces, the general rule to follow is knobs on doors and pulls on drawers. Sometimes we’ll break this rule for small drawers or small spaces, like bathrooms!

From The Sunset House

From our Cove Remodel
Tip #2
For transitional and modern spaces, knobs and pulls can be used interchangeably. Sleek pulls all over are a great option for a more modern look.


From our Beckham Project

From our Cove Remodel


From The Sunset House
Tip #3
When drawers are 24″ wide or wider, we often like to double up on knobs or pulls. To place this hardware correctly, divide the drawer into thirds and place the hardware in the left and right portions of the drawer.

From our Calabasas Remodel


From The McGee Home

From our Northridge Remodel
Tip #4
For built-in refrigerators, make sure to purchase appliance pulls. This will ensure your pulls are proportional to the larger paneled doors and drawers.

From our Cabin on the Lake Project
Tip #5
There are a few different approaches to take when installing knobs. For a more current/modern feel, place the knobs so the bottom of the knob (in upper cabinetry) and the top of the knob (in base cabinetry) is flush with the edge of the frame.

From our Cove Remodel

From our California Traditional Project

From our Northridge Remodel
This is an excellent help! Thank you for posting this. Love your work!
Lori
So glad it was helpful!! Thanks for reading!
Studio McGee! You are so generous with your knowledge. Thank you!!
Thank you for reading Lily!! Xo
Great tips! Thank you ?
Thank you Christen!!
Good post but you mean "door panel" or "door frame" not "face frame".
This is SUPER helpful! It’s the little things you don’t think about until you’re right in the middle of having the make that decision! Thanks for this!
Yay! So glad it was helpful for you!!
Excellent post. Thank you. Could you also do a post on positioning of towel racks and toilet paper holders in bathrooms? I know there is measured placements for the toilet paper but do you recommend the wall or the side of the vanity when you have a choice?
Thank you! Noted!
Thank you for all the tips! Beautiful work!!!
Thank you for reading!!!
Getting ready to get some hardware for my kitchen! Perfect timing to find this post!!
That makes us so happy! Good luck 🙂
Thank you so much for this post! We are currently building a house and will be installing the hardware ourselves and I never even knew their was a "right" way to do it! This is sooooo helpful!!! xo
Yay!! Good luck with your house!! Xo
Hi,
Could you share the manufacturer of the blue Windsong bathroom vanity? Its absolutely beautiful. I have been having a hard time finding vanities that go to the floor! Thank you
Oh boy – this was just what I needed! The contractor is here and the knobs and pulls are about to be installed!So, super helpful – Love you guys!
Yay! We love you! Good luck with your installation.
Thanks for all the advice. I was clueless and I am grateful I had somewhere to turn for the answer. I am doing a DIY bathroom project and the vanity never had any hardware on it. It’s good to have some guidelines. The pictures are beautiful too.
We’re so glad you like it! Thank you so much!
Any suggestions for the size of pull for the cabinet length in bathroom? I’ve read 1/3 size of the drawer. For example, a 24 inch door panel would get an 8 inch pull; does this seem correct? THANKS!
My husband and I were having an issue with whether to put pulls on a drawer or knobs. You had a great explaination. My husband won the argument. I was wrong. Thanks again it was very helpful to know where to place knobs and pulls.
We’re so glad this was helpful, Bertha!!
The "midway" house picture….is that an example of how not to do it…!
What about on the "false" flip out drawers directly under the sink area; do you add hardware to those? Or better yet, would it look awkward if you DID add hardware?
Thanks for putting this together. Very helpful and informative. We appreciated it!
So glad it was helpful. Thanks Jon!
When you have upper and lower cabinets, lower knobs go towards the top? And the top doors get knobs on the lower part of door or middle ?
This was very informative and helpful Thank you
Colleen Vandendriessche
Love your design. The dark bathroom cabinets against the marble and light walls look amazing. thanks for the tips on hardware placement!
Thanks for the post! I am going to replace the knobs in our kitchen with pulls on the drawers. I have different sized drawers throughout the kitchen, will I adjust the size of the pulls for each drawer (smaller drawer=smaller pull?) or will I keep them all the same? Thanks so much for any help with this!
Thank you for the sharing this guide, very inspiring
So glad you liked it! Thank you!
What size should my appliance pulls be? Should you match your fridge door pulls to your bottom freezer pull or should you do a smaller freezer pull based on the 1/3 rule? Should your dishwasher pull follow the same rule? 8” pull for a 24” dishwasher?
How far from the edge should you put your pulls if the doors are slab front with no shaker style frame?
Can I place my cabinet pulls catercorner instead of vertical ?
Is the countertop in the SM Ranch House kitchen soapstone?
We will be painting and putting new hardware on our first home in less than 2 weeks, so this was a timely and helpful read! Thank you! XOXO
all of the images are missing from this post
These are ALL stunning. I was hoping to find a finger pull to educate myself regarding placement. I purchased 5" finger pulls for my drawers in my kitchen and 1 1/4" for my top cabinet. I never thought about placement for the 1 1/4" finger pulls for the upper doors. I’m in a quandary. They have to be morticed in and my builder is asking for placement. YIKES>. Would you suggest under the cabinet door upside down or on the side of the doors near the bottom corners? Thank you.
Would it look wrong to put kitchen cabinet handles on a 45゚ angle as opposed to either vertical or horizontal mounting?
I have a couple of faux drawers in the kitchen and bathrooms of my home. Should I add pulls/knobs to them??