How2Day: Kitchen Cabinet Hardware Placement Ideas

New hardware can revive old kitchen cabinets. modern kitchen with cabinets image by redking from Fotolia.com
Changing out the hardware on your kitchen cabinets can give them a face-lift, adding new life. When replacing the hardware, chances are you'll have to put the new hardware where the old hardware used to be, or else you'll have holes in your cabinet doors. Of course, if you're replacing the door, you can choose where to place the hardware. The best placement depends on whether the cabinets are above or below the counter and what sort of reach you have to open the doors. It will also depend on whether you're using a knob or a handle.

Hardware is typically placed along the outer edge of the cabinet door. Yet there are three standard places where to attach hardware. The old standard, and the most common, is to place the knob or handle in the middle. If using a handle, this is the standard position to use. Handles will look out of place elsewhere. Position the knob or handle along the edge (but not too close) and be sure to match its position on a neighboring cabinet. Uneven knobs or handles look unbalanced.

If using a knob for your hardware, you have additional options for placement. The bottom corner position has grown in popularity in newer houses. This placement position, however, is used only for cabinets above the counter. It's particularly helpful with tall cabinets, as reaching for a middle-height knob can be difficult, especially for someone without much reach, like a child. As with middle-placed knobs, make sure the knobs aren't too close to the edge and that neighboring cabinets have knobs in matching positions.

Like the bottom corner placement, top corner placement is used for cabinets below the counter. This position makes them easier to reach, without as much bending over as is required with middle-positioned knobs. Be sure the knobs are evenly positioned in the corner, not too close to the edge or the top, and that knobs on neighboring cabinets are at the same level. Because cabinets tend to be paired with opposite opening doors, top and bottom corner knobs will be positioned in close pairs.

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