Fitting new kitchen door handles to cabinet doors in your kitchen is a fantastic way to change the look and feel of the space. Should you be looking to revamp your kitchen cabinets, then changing the handles should be at the top of your to-do list. Simple and easy to complete, we’re going to run you through the basics so you can do it yourself.
What will I need?
The first thing you’ll need is your handles. Whether you’re opting for a traditional look or a more contemporary one, once you’ve decided on your size and style, you can place your order with Kitchen Door Hub safe in the knowledge that you’ll be enjoying a brand new look in no time.
Next, you’ll need to make sure you have all the right tools. Here’s what you will need:
- Drill & drill bit
- Screwdriver
- Screws
- Tape measure
- Spirit level
- Pencil
- Handle drilling jig (optional – recommended)
Step 1: Finding the Right Position for the Handles
When deciding where to place your kitchen door handles there are a few basic rules and guidelines that can help. As a general rule of thumb, door handles on base units should be placed near to the top, and near the bottom for wall mounted top units. They should also always be attached on the opposite side to any hinges as this keeps access to the cupboards as easy as possible.
If you have the handle drilling jig, you can save a lot of time at this point. All you would need to do is identify the holes on the jig which line up with the holes on the handle. Then you just need to set the adjustable top and side hooks to position the holes in the desired location on the door. Finally, you can then drill through the holes and your handle will be perfectly set. The great thing about a jig, is that you only need to set it once for each door type, saving a ton of time marking and measuring.
Otherwise see below:
In order to fix your door handles in the correct position, hold the handle in place and mark the outside screw hole using your pencil. Position the handle for marking using the following measurements:
For Base Units:
Mark 50mm in from the edge that will open (opposite the hinges) and just below the top.
For Top Units:
Again, mark 50mm in from the opening edge, but this time just above the bottom.
For Kitchen Drawers:
- Find the exact centre, both vertically and horizontally. You want your kitchen drawer handle to be fixed right in the middle. Once you have found the middle, measure half the length of your handle to the left and mark. It is also worth noting that if you have base units and drawers side by side, you may want the handles to align depending on your kitchen’s layout.
When you have your initial point marked, use a tape measure and spirit level to determine where your second screw will go. Remember, any marks you make with your pencil at this stage need to be nice and light, you don’t want to struggle should you need to remove them!
Step 2: Drilling the Holes
Once you’re happy with the positioning of your kitchen handles and you have each unit evenly marked, it is time to drill the holes needed to screw them in place.
The easiest way to do that is with an electric drill and a 3/16th drill bit. Make sure you check the size needed though as there is often a degree of variation.
Once you are confident that you have the correct sized bit, drill into your carefully marked points.
Step 3: Tightening the Screws
Now that you have your holes drilled, it’s time to fix the kitchen door handle in place. To do this, simply line up your handle with your new holes, insert the screw and tighten. You can use a screwdriver or your drill for this.
Remember not to tighten the screws too much initially. Make sure you have both in place before tightening them up equally.
Step 4: Repeat the Process
Ta-da! All done. Now stand back and admire your handy work. Hopefully they’re looking nice and straight. If they are and you have other units to fit, you can repeat steps 1 to 3 for all remaining ones. You may find it easier to mark all of the doors up and then fit all of the handles one by one – it’ll be quicker too.
If you’re still to find the kitchen door handles of your dreams, then check out our store
If you have any questions, you can always contact us via phone or email. Our office team is always happy to assist.
