How to Install Cabinet Knobs

Installing a new set of cabinet knobs can rejuvenate a tired and worn kitchen. It’s a much less expensive option than blowing a few grand for refinishing or even worse a full blown cabinet rip out and remodel. How to install cabinet knobs is really not as hard as it may look. There are just a few things to consider before you get cracking.

Do your new cabinet knobs fit where the old ones were?

If so then wow you’ve lucked out! All you need to do is remove the old hardware, clean the cabinet facing around where the old knob was and screw the new bolt to the new knob.

For the other 99.9% of us it’s going to take a little bit more work than that.

Let’s start with the least complex. If the knob and bolt you’re replacing is slightly larger than the hole of the old one then just grab your drill and enlarge the hole. You’re looking to get the hole to almost the exact same size as the bolt. You want a nice secure fit without any wiggle. Just snug up the bolt and you’re finished.

What do you do if the knob you’re replacing is a bit smaller than the old one though?

The first option is to fill the old bolt hole with epoxy. Let it dry then drill through it. It will be good as new.

The other option is to put a washer on the backside of the cabinet and run the bolt through that. When you tighten everything down the washer will bite into the edges around the bolt hole while the bottom of the knob will cover the front hole.

The most difficult replacement is installing a knob that has two bolts but your cabinet only has a single hole.

If it’s possible to use the existing bolt hole then you’ll install a bolt through the existing hole and mark the second bolt location.

Pull the knob back off the door. Next use a 1/4 inch drill bit to punch out a pilot hole through the cabinet front. Work up your drill bit sizes until you are at the same size as the bolt. Snug the two bolts up tight.

The most complex replacement is when you can’t use the existing hole. If this is the case then you’ll need a cabinet knob that will cover up the hole. Place the knob over the hole so that it’s completely covered. Mark your pilot holes and then proceed the same way as if you were installing it using an existing attachment point.

A tip if you just can’t quite cover up that hole is to fill it in with wood putty. It’ll be virtually unnoticeable that close to the hardware. The wood putty will match your cabinets close enough that the slight blemish won’t be nearly as noticeable as a gaping hole.

These are just a few of the methods you can use when getting the know how to install cabinet knobs. Luckily there are so many knob varieties out there you’ll find something that will be both eye catching and easy to install.

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