Jun 16, 20254 min read

The Complete Guide to Cabinet Hardware Placement and Sizing

Purchasing cabinet hardware involves more decisions than simply picking a design. You'll need to choose where to put knobs and pulls, what size of hardware to purchase, where to install it. Luckily, you're in the right place. This guide is designed to help simplify the three main decisions. Save this page as a reference as you navigate your cabinet hardware decisions.

Cabinet Hardware Placement Options

1. Cabinet Knobs and Pulls: What's The Difference and Which Should I Use?

The terms knobs and pulls often get used interchangeably, but there is a distinct difference between them. Knobs most often use a single screw hole, while pulls typically have two. When deciding which to choose, you should consider both aesthetics and functionality.

All Knobs

Knobs are usually small in size and don't draw a lot of attention to themselves. If your cabinets feature a stunning wood grain that you want to showcase, going with all knobs is a great option. However, there is one thing to keep in mind when using all knobs in a kitchen. Wide drawers require two knobs to maintain a balanced appearance. To prevent damage to your drawer slides, both knobs should be used in unison, making opening wide drawers a two-handed task.
Cabinet Hardware All Knobs

All Pulls

Selecting all cabinet pulls lends itself well to a more contemporary aesthetic particularly when used with cabinet hardware with clean, sleek lines. Pulls also offer a better grip which should be an important consideration when outfitting cabinetry that will be frequently used by weak or arthritic hands.

Cabinet Hardware Placement All Pulls

Knobs on Uppers, Pulls on Lowers

Using knobs on upper cabinets and pulls on lower cabinets is a common way to blend both types of hardware into your space. This combination can give your space a grounded feel, giving your base cabinets a weighted furniture-like feel. Avoid flipping this combination, as pulls on uppers with knobs on lowers can make cabinetry feel top heavy.

Cabinet Hardware Placement Mix

Knobs on Doors, Pulls on Drawers

Cabinet knobs on doors and pulls on drawers is one of our favorite combinations. It's functional, attractive, and easy to live with. You get the visual variety of mixed hardware without sacrificing the . If you're struggling with which to choose, this mix is a great go-to.
Cabinet Hardware Placement Guide

A Creative Mix

A creative mix delivers a thoughtful, designer look and allows you to have ergonomics where you need it most. We recommend using knobs on doors and pulls on drawers as a starting point, and then swapping out a few pieces here and there for added interest and functionality. Some ideas include using knobs on narrow drawers, pulls on tall pantry doors, or even mixing in some cabinet latches.

Cabinet Hardware Placement Guide

2. What Size of Cabinet Knobs and Pulls Should I Get?

You've decided between knobs and pulls and you've picked out your cabinet hardware style. Next, you need to choose what size to use.

Cabinet Knob Sizes

Most knobs are approximately 1-1/4" in diameter. This size has been used for decades and is a great choice for nearly any cabinetry. Cabinet knobs 1" and smaller, offer a minimal appearance that can add a bit of charm. Knobs 1-1/2" and larger can make a striking statement. These oversized knobs are often an excellent choice for those looking to transform their cabinetry into a striking statement.
Cabinet Knob Sizes

Cabinet Pull Sizes

Selecting pull sizes can be a bit trickier. There are no rights and wrongs so a lot of it comes down to personal preference. There are however a few things to keep in mind as well as some common options to consider:

Same Size Throughout: If you opt to use the same size throughout your space, we recommend pulls between 3" and 5" long for more traditional spaces and pulls between 6" and 8" for more contemporary spaces. If you opt for the latter, keep in mind you may need to break the rule and use a smaller size (or knobs) on narrow drawers.

Rule of Thirds: Another common way to determine pull sizing is by using the rule of thirds. Take the width of the drawer and divide it by three. This is the approximate length to use on your drawer. If a drawer is in between pull sizes, we almost always recommend sizing up for the most balanced appearance.
Cabinet Drawer Pull Size

3. Where to Install Cabinet Hardware

The end is in sight! You have your hardware in hand and are ready to make the final decision. Below are our recommendations of where to install your cabinet knobs and pulls. We've also created a PDF guide that can be given to your installer. Download Here