Design Secrets for Stunning Cabinet Hardware Placement and Sizing

Written By Kristen Hennie

One of the easiest ways to update your cabinetry is simply getting new hardware. At Ducy Design, we consider hardware to be the jewelry of your cabinets. Often regarded as the finishing touch in interior design, cabinet knobs play a pivotal role in enhancing both functionality and aesthetics. Whether you are in the process of a major kitchen redesign or new cabinet installation or are just looking for a quick way to elevate your space, understanding cabinet knob placement and sizing is pivotal.

If cabinet hardware is placed incorrectly, it can make your entire room feel off or dysfunctional. Below are the tips we give clients when they are making the final choices on drawer pulls and cabinet knobs.

Drawer Pull and Cabinet Knob Placement

We like to give our homeowners a lot of control over the design elements in their space. However, when it comes to things like cabinet hardware placement, there are some rules we suggest they follow. Typically, we like to place knobs on doors and pulls on drawers, with some exceptions explained below.

1. Modern Cabinetry

We recommend keeping the style of kitchen hardware clean and simple if you are selecting modern cabinetry for your space. Once you have chosen your hardware style, it’s time to start placing. In the example below, we’ve selected a simple finger cabinet pull. These are typically placed along the edge of your cabinets.

For drawers: We suggest keeping hardware centered on the cabinet front.

For doors: With a finger pull cabinet, we recommend keeping these along the edge of your doors so that they abut each other, creating a seamless and clean look.

2. Traditional Cabinetry

When selecting hardware for more traditional-style cabinetry, whether in a kitchen or a bathroom, we recommend using options that feature some traditional details. For the cabinet doors, we typically recommend using a knob on the corners of the face of the frame.

For drawers: A simple rule of thumb is to keep hardware centered unless there is a unique circumstance. For example, with a single full-height drawer such as a trash pull-out, we recommend our client's cabinet hardware be placed on the top horizontal door rail.

For doors: We usually suggest using a knob on the upper corners of the face of the frame. This is where your horizontal rail and your vertical stile intersect.  

 

Hardware Sizing

While choosing the type of hardware for your cabinets and the correct placement seems like enough decision-making, our clients also have options when it comes to drawer pull and cabinet knob sizing. How do you choose the right size cabinet pulls or knobs?

Typically, we tell our clients to focus on the cabinet door or drawer size. Most often, that will dictate the best size of hardware to choose. Below is a simple chart of sizes based on your cabinet drawer size.

While the drawer pull and cabinet knob size chart above is a great rule of thumb, there are always style exceptions. For panel-ready appliances, we typically recommend our clients choose a pull that is specified as an “appliance pull” to ensure the strength of the pull is appropriate. Appliance pulls most often come in 8”, 12”, 18”, or 24” pull sizes.

The size of your appliance will dictate the size of your pull. For example, on a paneled beverage center, ice maker, or dishwasher, we specify 8”-12” appliance pulls. On a paneled full-size refrigerator, we generally specify 12”-18” appliance pulls.

Hidden Cabinet or Drawer Hardware

Sometimes, less really is more. One way to include hardware without taking away from the sleek and minimal look of your space is by having it built in. Integrated hardware creates a modern, seamless look that we often recommend to our clients looking for a minimalist, clean aesthetic that will withstand the test of time.

When working with clients who don’t want their hardware visible, another way to create this look would be to use touch latch doors. This is a great option in smaller, less-traffic areas.

Choosing the Right Cabinet Pulls and Knobs For Your Aesthetic

When clients think about drawer pulls and cabinet knobs, they often focus mainly on the kitchen. However, as interior designers, we know that the right hardware can make a statement in bathrooms, hallways, built-ins, and even bedroom dressers and other furniture.

It is not always easy to make the right choice when it comes to hardware because there are so many options! Luckily, most cabinet knobs and drawer pulls can be easily changed out as your style or aesthetic changes over time.

Below are some ideas our team put together to help inspire you as you shop for new hardware for your redesign or space update!

Vendor: Myoh America

Vendor: Myoh America

Vendor: Cebi Design

If you are planning to renovate your space, schedule a consultation with Ducy Design. We will walk you through the entire process, keeping your aesthetics and budget in mind.

Kristen Hennie
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