Are you looking to make a small update in your home? You might consider replacing your cabinet hardware. Continue reading for tips and tricks on how to replace cabinet hardware correctly.
Hardware is the jewel of cabinetry. Hardware can make all the difference in a home. It’s also possible to replace existing cabinets without spending a lot of money.
FAQs about Replacing Cabinet Hardware
Let’s first look at some FAQs before we get into how to replace cabinet hardware.
Can you change the hardware on cabinets easily?
You can! It’s possible if the new hardware has the same holes as the older hardware. It’s more difficult if it can’t. For more information on either option, please read on.
What does it cost to replace your kitchen hardware?
It all depends on what hardware you select and how many cabinet doors and drawers are available. There are many great options for kitchen cabinet hardware at any price point. (See my favorite here), and it can be an affordable project if you are willing to do it yourself.
How does the process for replacing furniture hardware differ?
These steps are the same. These same principles can be applied to a newly painted desk or a new dresser.
The simplest way to replace cabinet hardware
It is easiest to replace cabinet hardware by choosing hardware that fits the same holes as your existing hardware. Cabinet knobs, which only use one screw, will need to be matched with the original hole. Simply measure the knob to ensure it fits in the hole.
You will need to know the center measurement for drawer and door pulls, which use two screws. The distance from the center of one screw’s center to the center the other screw is called center to center. The cabinet pulls shown below have dimensions of 5’x1/2”, but a center to center measurement of 3″
Limit your search to handles that are the same measurement center-to-center as your hardware.
This method allows you to update hardware using a drill or a screwdriver. Simply remove the old hardware from the holes and place the new hardware in the same places. Be careful to tighten each screw.
How to update existing cabinet hardware
You can also replace the hardware with a new finish, which doesn’t require changing the holes. I have made so many changes to items using my favorite golden wax finish to give them an authentic brass look, that I lost count.
These are the steps to update your website.
- Take the hardware out of the cabinets
- If the finish is not polished, lightly sand the surface with 220 grit sandpaper to allow the new color to adhere.
- Use a degreaser to clean the hardware
- Place it in scrap cardboard or place it on a drop cloth
- Let dry the hardware before you paint it or rub ‘n polish it.
- Reinstall the hardware
How to change cabinet hardware
What if the existing screws can’t be used again? You want something larger or smaller. You might prefer knobs to pulls. What if the hardware you have previously was incorrectly placed? You’ll need fill in the holes and create new ones for any of these cases.
It is difficult to fill hardware holes in cabinets as easily as it is filling sheetrock nail holes. You will need to fill, sand and paint if you want to make the holes disappear. You will need to paint the entire drawer or door, not just the area with the hole, in order to hide them. This can be a very difficult job.
You can change the hardware if you’re already thinking about repainting your cabinetry. This is a complete tutorial on how to repaint cabinetry. Repainting is a simple job.
It is not a good idea to try to fill holes in stained wood cabinets. Although they make wood glue that can be stained, it’s not possible to hide any old filled holes completely without painting. It is very difficult to match the grain of the wood.
How to fill old hardware holes
To achieve a high-quality finished look when replacing cabinet hardware, it is important to fill the holes correctly. Use a putty knife with high-quality wood filler to fill the hole completely. You can remove any excess material with a damp cloth. However, it is better to fill the hole slightly with wood putty. Allow it to dry completely. Then sand down the wood filler until it matches the surface of wood. Prime and paint.