A Guide to Cabinet Hardware Placement

Every detail matters when creating beautiful cabinetry, and hardware placement is especially important.

We've created this simple visual guide to help you decide where to position cabinet knobs and pulls across a range of cabinet styles. Whether you're renovating a kitchen, planning a bespoke project, or simply updating the hardware on your cabinetry, this guide will help you achieve a balanced and considered look.

In this guide, we cover some of the most popular styles of cabinetry including:

• Shaker doors
• Shaker drawers
• Shaker base units
• Slab doors
• Slab drawers

Most cabinet knobs are typically positioned by aligning the fixing hole with the top edge of the lower rail, creating a clean and balanced contemporary look.

For elongated designs, such as oval knobs or T Bars, position the fixing hole so that the top of the knob sits in line with the rail.

When installing cabinet pulls, the bottom of the pull should align with the bottom rail. Depending on the size of your chosen pull, the fixing holes may need to be positioned slightly higher or lower to achieve the desired look.

For shaker drawers, hardware is most commonly positioned centrally within the recessed panel to create a balanced and symmetrical appearance.

Alternatively, hardware can be fitted within the top rail of the drawer front, which some homeowners prefer for easier access and everyday use. Both options work well and are largely a matter of personal preference.

For integrated dishwasher fronts, hardware is typically positioned within the top rail of the door. This creates a practical grip point while maintaining consistency with surrounding cabinetry.

For shaker drawer over cupboard units, hardware is commonly positioned on the drawer front rail and on the opening stile of the cupboard door below. This creates a balanced appearance while ensuring comfortable everyday use.

For slab cabinet doors, position the fixing hole so it sits an equal distance from both the bottom edge and the side edge of the door. A distance of approximately 2 inches (50mm) is commonly used and creates a balanced appearance.

When fitting cabinet pulls, align the end of the pull with this position. The fixing holes can then be adjusted as required to ensure the pull is correctly placed.

For slab drawers, hardware is typically centred on smaller drawer fronts, while on deeper drawers it is often positioned higher up for improved functionality and ease of use.

For a more contemporary look, many designers choose to align all knobs or pulls near the top of the drawer front, creating a clean, streamlined appearance across the cabinetry.

See real home examples of cabinet hardware placement in our gallery, or head back to our blog for most inspirational posts.