Cabinet knobs have come a long way since their traditional round and square shaped origins. Now available in a wide variety of other shapes too; such as oval, t-knob, novelty and ornate, cabinet knobs are one of the most cost effective ways to take your kitchen from waah to wow!

Whether you have a new build, are remodeling your space or are just looking for a quick & easy kitchen update, your cabinet hardware is the finishing touch…the icing on the cake…the bow on top. It’s so, so important to get it right the first time, because once you drill those holes, there’s no going back.

Like many other things in interior design, there are no set rules. Sure, there are commonalities AND common sense, but for the most part it boils down to your personal preference, comfort and aesthetic. Afterall, you’re the one who has to live with it, so you’re the one that should love it!

However, It is important to take cues from the lines in your kitchen and your overall design aesthetic. If your countertops and cabinet doors have simple, clean lines, then choose the same for your hardware. If your cabinetry has detailed paneling and your countertops are rounded, then choose hardware with softer, more ornate lines.

Knobs

Knobs are one of the most versatile decorative and functional hardware options. Available in a wide variety of sizes, styles, shapes and finishes, they can be used on upper cabinets, lower cabinets and drawers.

Standard cabinet knobs range between 1-2 inches in diameter, giving them a more subtle appearance than pulls. If you do not want your cabinet hardware to be the star of the show (or of your kitchen rather) then you may want to consider using all knobs on your cabinets.

Knobs are installed with a single screw from the back of the cabinet or drawer front. Unless you are very confident that you can drill these holes yourself, it is best to get a professional to drill the holes for you. Give them clear instructions and samples of your chosen hardware in order to avoid costly mistakes.

Knob Sizes

Once you’ve decided on the aesthetic look that you are going for, you will need to decide on the size of your cabinet door and drawer knobs. When shopping for knobs, you will want to consider not only your design preference, but also how the knob functions. For standard size cabinetry (dimensions of 12″ - 36″) the most common knob size is 1 ¼”.

If you either have small hands, small cabinetry (dimensions under 12″) or are taking a more minimalist approach to your design, you may choose a smaller cabinet knob. T-knobs, although typically larger than a standard knob, are a good alternative to a traditional cabinet pull when it comes to small cabinetry.

If you either have large hands, oversized cabinetry (dimensions of 36″ or larger) or want your knobs to “pop” then you may choose a larger cabinet knob. Some knobs are as large as 3” in diameter and again, are a good alternative to a traditional cabinet pull.

Knob Placement on Doors

Cabinet knobs should be installed on the opposite side of the cabinet door hinge. The general rule of thumb is to place a knob 2 ½″ - 3″ from the corner of the door. For upper cabinets, install knobs in the bottom corners of the door. For lower cabinets, install knobs in the upper corners of the door. There are two ways to do this - center of corner or top/bottom aligned.

For the center of corner placement, evenly measure from the top (for lower cabinets) or the bottom (for upper cabinets) and the nearest side to place the knob. Some cabinet styles such as Shaker have prominent borders on the cabinet door. To get an even-centered look for the knob, measure the width of the vertical panel, and height of the horizontal (which are usually equal). In the corner, again opposite of the hinge, measure half of the width, and half of the height to find the center. Before drilling make sure the knob is level with cabinets on either side.

For top/bottom aligned placement, measure the center of the vertical border opposite the hinges. This time, the top of the knob will be aligned with the bottom of the top border (for upper cabinets) or the top of the bottom border (for upper cabinets). To place your drill hole, you will need to know the diameter of your knob. Take half of the diameter (or radius) of the knob, and measure that down from the bottom of the top or top of the bottom border.

Knob Placement on Drawers

Positioning your hardware on drawers is quite simple. Typically knobs are centered on the face of the drawer. Drawers longer than 24” require a bit of extra hardware so you should install two knobs by measuring the drawer into thirds and setting the knobs in the center of the two outer sections.

For paneled drawers, the most aesthetic choice is typically to center the hardware within the panel. For flat drawers it is most common to center your hardware on shallow drawers or near the top on deeper drawers.

Tips & Tricks

As mentioned, it is best to hire a professional to install your cabinet hardware. However, if you are confident in your abilities and decide to do it yourself, please remember to always, always, always measure twice, drill once. Use painter’s tape to help you decide on your ultimate placement and make sure everyone - no matter who is installing your cabinet knobs - is on the same page.

Choosing the right cabinet door and drawer knob just got easier with The Knobs Company. We offer a vast selection of unique cabinet knobs in a wide variety of styles and sizes. From antique copper to brass cabinet knobs, our online store features the best cabinet knobs from renowned brand manufacturers. Discover the wide variety of exquisitely designed cabinet knobs at Knobs.co.