If you’re looking for an economical, fast transformation of your cabinets and décor, consider replacing worn or outdated hardware. That includes kitchen cabinet pulls, knobs, hinges, backplates, hooks, or locks. Most everyone can complete this job in quick order, and there’s no reason why you can’t find cabinet hardware in your price range.
The steps for replacing cabinet hardware are straightforward:
- Inventory every item in the hardware that you intend on replacing. This means counting up the total number of cabinets, door faces, and drawers; then multiply the number for each against the part you’re replacing for total count. Hint: Buy a few extras.
- Remove the fastening screws or bolts for each type piece and measure the distance between the screw or bolt holes in a two-screw system.
- Remove all escutcheons or plates behind the pulls or handles. Hint: Take parts with you when you shop for hardware and hold them next to replacements.
- Clean old screw holes to help install the new parts. Or, if you are replacing your hardware with pulls, plates, or knobs with different dimensions, fill your screw holes with wood putty.
- Drill out new holes as necessary, using your replacement hardware to make a template.
- Install and enjoy.
Choosing Your New Hardware
Home improvement stores are an oasis of design ideas, or you can shop for plates, pulls, knobs, and hinges online. If ordering online, you need to be sure of your measurements. (You can easily return hardware that’s a poor fit to the store if you haven’t damaged it.)
You can search for ideas in pulls online, as well as do comparative shopping for prices. Finding the parts that catch your eye can be more challenging than actually installing the cabinet hardware. Have fun!
