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This post is all about how to install cabinet hardware in your bathroom or kitchen to get straight hardware every time.
Installing cabinet hardware is not something you should be afraid of! I know, I know, you get one shot at it and that’s it. But with the right tools and measurements, it’s so easy to get straight cabinet pulls every time.
When we built our house, we told our builder not to add hardware to the cabinets because we knew we wanted personalized selections. The best trick to make a builder-grade home look high-end is switching out hardware and fixtures. My other tips for building a house are in this post here.
I chose these black cabinet pulls from Amazon, so they match our black oval mirrors. My bathroom is a mix of brushed nickel and black hardware. To mix metals like this, I recommend sticking with just two different metals and keeping your finish the same.
How to Install Cabinet Hardware
Our primary bathroom has been without hardware for 3+ years… why did I wait so long?! This tutorial on how to install cabinet hardware shares my tricks to even cabinet pulls. It’s really easier thank you think!
Materials & Supplies
- Cabinet Hardware
- Electric Drill
- 5/32 in. Drill Bit
- Screw Driller
- Ruler or Tape Measure
- Level
- Pencil
- Hardware Template (optional but recommended for doors!)
How to Install Cabinet Hardware on Drawers
Because our drawers have an inset, it was impossible for me to use any sort of hardware jig template or template to guide where I needed to drill. So I created my own technique to find the right location to drill into the cabinets.
It can be daunting to drill into your cabinets since you get only one shot at getting it right. But the key to installing hardware evenly is to measure, measure, measure!
Find the Center of the Drawer
Lay a straight edge diagonally across the drawer from corner to corner and mark along the edge using a pencil. Do this on both diagonals so you have an X marked in the middle of the drawer. The middle of your cabinet is where the two lines intersect.
This technique proved perfect for me, but I also double-checked using a ruler to ensure the marked center was equidistant to the edges.
Mark the Holes for Hardware
Using a ruler, measure from the center mark the distance away that you need to drill. My cabinet pulls were 4 inches center to center, so I marked with a pencil 2 inches to the right and 2 inches to the left of center.
When you purchase your hardware, you must note the center-to-center distance. This is how long the hardware pulls will be. If you are simply replacing hardware, it’s even more important that you align the already drilled holes.
Before moving to the next steps, I took a level and made sure the holes I marked were even. If I needed to adjust any, I remarked the spots with my pencil.
Drill the Hardware Holes
What size drill bit do you use for cabinet hardware? Most hardware comes with instructions on the diameter of the screws but you will need a 5/32″ drill bit for your cabinet installation.
Add the 5/32″ drill bit to an electric drill, align it with your marks, and drill into the drawer. Once the hole is made, I recommend backing the drill in and out of it a couple of times to slightly widen it.
Screw-in Hardware
Using a screwdriver or the electric drill, screw in the hardware to the pre-drilled holes. Continue on all drawers until you’re done!
How to Install Cabinet Hardware on Doors
The doors were WAY easier to install hardware too because I was able to use a cabinet hardware template tool. This is totally optional but it’s a fail-proof way to get even hardware without the headache of measurements. If your cabinet doors don’t have an inlay, you can also use a template to find the holes.
The hardware template has 6 different options to choose from in hardware sizes and 4 different placement locations on the cabinet door. I used some small pieces of painter’s tape to mark which holes to use so I wouldn’t forget between doors. I marked the holes and then drilled the hardware holes using the electric drill.
Lastly, I screwed in the hardware to the cabinet door and it’s done. SO much easier than the drawers!
My primary bathroom is really coming along, and I am so happy with the contrast of black hardware on our white cabinets. I love how sleek it looks!
This post was all about my fool-proof tips to install cabinet hardware evenly.
This page includes affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally vet.
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[…] Here is my latest post on my tips for installing hardware! Remove your current hardware pulls and measure the distance from center to center of the holes. This will be the size of hardware pulls you need to look for to replace your current ones. Just use a screwdriver to add them on! […]