How to change kitchen handles on cabinets to create a new look

Replacing the handles on your kitchen cupboards is an easy way to update the room’s feel. You could change to knobs, T-bars, bows or even cup pulls to improve your kitchen’s look and functionality. 

Replacing like for like is usually the easiest option but don’t let that put you off trying something new, if you want to. Go wild!

Follow our guide below to take you step-by-step through the measuring, drilling and securing of those carefully chosen handles.

Choosing new kitchen handles

Connor Prestwood, interior design specialist at Dowsing & Reynolds, believes changing your kitchen handles should be anything but boring:

“There are no rules style-wise – handles on drawers, knobs on cupboards, mix and match or all uniform. The choice is yours. Have fun with finishes, textures, styles and sizes to create a look that’s practical for you and your space.”

Prestwood certainly believes in mixing it up:

“You don’t have to stick to the same size handles that are already on your cupboards – be brave and swap them out for a heftier size or go discreet and opt for knobs – you can always refill the holes.

“If you’d prefer to conceal the old holes rather than fill them, go for a handle with a backplate.”

1. Prepare your tools

Once you’ve decided on the style of kitchen handles to go for, it’s time to prepare for installation.

“First and foremost, you need to be prepared with the right tools for your kitchen cabinets,” says Tom Revill, co-founder of Plank Hardware.

Here’s his recommended list of equipment:

• Cordless drill
• Combination square
• Screwdriver
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Spirit level
• Handles

2. Decide where to position your kitchen handles

Usability is the key point when deciding where to position your kitchen handles.

“As a general rule of thumb,” says Revill, “base unit handles tend to go at the top of the door, so you don’t need to reach too far down for them.”

Smith has similar advice when positioning wall handle units:

“They should be fixed towards the bottom of the door to avoid you having to reach up high to open the cabinet.”

For drawers, think about how you open them – to give visual balance and for ease of opening, drawer handles are best positioned centrally. And if you are opting for knobs rather than handles, they should be placed on the opposite side to the cabinet’s hinges.

3. Measure up and mark out

Once you’ve decided on where you want your handles to go, you can mark out their position.

• “From the leading edge (the side opposite the hinges), measure in 5cm (2in) top and bottom [if these are the measurements you’ve chosen],” says Revill. With a pencil, make a light mark on the positions. Then draw a line to connect your marks using a spirit level, for added reassurance that the line is straight.
• “Then measure the total height of the door and divide this by three to get the sizes of your top, middle and bottom thirds,” adds Revill. “Once you have these measurements, from the top of the door, measure one third down and mark the point with your pencil. Your handle is going to go somewhere in this top third.”
• Grab hold of your handle and measure the distance between the centre of one fixing hole to the next. “Then subtract this measurement from the height of the top third of your door, then divide this by two,” says Revill. “Now you have the distance from the top of the door to where your first screw hole will go – mark this with a pencil.
• “Measure down from the first screw hole mark on the door, the distance you measured earlier between the two screw holes on the handle. Make a light pencil mark for your final screw hole."
• Check the fixing centres and place the handle in the desired position. “Before you start drilling,” advises Revill, “place your handles against the door to check you’re happy with the position. Each mark should correspond with a screw hole.”

4. Drill holes from the outside in

“Always drill your holes starting from the outside to ensure your new handles sit exactly where you want them to,” says Prestwood. “The beginning of the hole is also neater, so drilling this way will give you the most professional-looking finish.”

Revill recommends using a smaller drill bit to drill a starter hole.

“This will give your larger drill bit something to grip on to,” he says. “Line up your drill to the pencil mark you made using your template and slowly drill into the wood, keeping your hand as level and steady as possible.”

5. Secure the handle

“Then it’s time to secure your new kitchen cabinet handles,” says Revill. “You can now push the screw through the drawer front into the handle and tighten by hand.” Prestwood also suggests tightening the screws with a manual screwdriver:

“Avoid using an electric screwdriver to secure the handles – this can over-tighten the screw, causing it to snap.”

Top tips on choosing kitchen handles

Saga spoke to Sian Astley, interior designer at Moregeous, to discover her top tips on updating a kitchen with new handles.

What’s trending?

“Knurled industrial handles, both in bar and knob styles, are very popular at the moment. My clients are definitely stepping away from boring T-bars and looking for handles to add character and personality to their doors – picking up brass or black details from taps, sockets or appliances.”

What should you look out for?

Astley also has a top tip to avoid fitting issues: “It’s always a good idea to use standard-width handles, which can then be changed at a later date should you fall out of love with copper or a particular on-trend style.”

From small to big budget – what can you recommend?

“Your choice of manufacturer will be governed by budget. Ikea and Ironmongery Direct are super- affordable and well-made for the price. I’ve specified Ikea for years on rentals and they always last the distance,” says Astley.

“Decent mid-range and on-trend brands include Dowsing & Reynolds or Corston. But if you have the budget to splash out on top quality, head to Armac Martin, Buster & Punch or Croft – they are absolute handle heaven!"