When it comes to installing cabinet door handles (either knobs or pulls), they are always placed on the opposite side from the door hinges. You'll specifically want to place them anywhere between 1'' and 4'' from the top or bottom edge of the door.
Hardware Placement on Cabinet Doors
Both knobs and pulls are almost always centered horizontally on the door stile (the frame piece that runs vertically). Some companies place knobs a little higher or lower on the stile than others, with the range typically between 2″ and 4″ from the bottom or top edge of the door.
The 1/3 rule in cabinet hardware is a design guideline that helps achieve balanced proportions when selecting drawer pulls and cabinet handles. According to this rule, the length of the pull should be approximately one-third the width of the drawer or cabinet door.
There is no right or wrong size to choose, but we do recommend choosing pulls that have at least a 3-3/4" center to center (the distance between the screw holes). This size looks pleasing on most cabinets, while still being large enough to grip comfortably. 5" - 6.5" pulls are also an excellent choice.
Pulls 3-7 inches in length will sit the most comfortably on doors less than 24 inches tall. Cabinet doors 24-36 inches tall are best adorned with pulls 7-12 inches long, while cabinets taller than 36 inches such as pantries, built-in appliances and pullouts should be accompanied by pulls longer than 12 inches.
Cabinet pulls give a sleek visually appealing look to cabinet doors and drawers. What usually looks best is a pull length that is about 1/3 the height of the cabinet door and 1/3 the width of the cabinet drawer.
Matte black kitchen hardware remains a top choice for 2024, continuing to dominate as a versatile and sophisticated option for modern kitchens. This sleek finish adds a touch of elegance that pairs beautifully with various cabinet colors and styles, and offers the perfect balance of boldness and refinement.
Traditional Pulls
For base cabinets, the top screw of your pull will be placed between 2 ½ and 3 inches from the top corner of the cabinet (opposite the hinges) and the bottom screw will be placed at the other end of the pull. Pro-Tip: Pulls should be installed on the stiles of the doors.
Cabinet & Drawer Experts from Summit Cabinets
In the end, false handles are really a matter of taste and preference, and you may want consistency and extra space to hang things. Some may like them, some may not, it's all up to you.
There are many ways to mix and match hardware! And although there's no one hard and fast rule on when to use knobs versus pulls, consistency is important. You want to make sure your hardware size is appropriate to the drawer width, but from there you can carve out a plan based on personal preference.
For standard size cabinetry (dimensions of 12″ – 36″) the most common pull sizes are 3”, 4”, 96mm, and 128mm center to center (from one screw hole to another). Standard knob sizes are 1 1/4″ or 1 3/8″.
The traditional approach typically involves centred handle placement on the inset panel, about 2.5 inches from the bottom of the cabinet door. This classic placement creates a sense of balance and time-honoured elegance within the kitchen.
Pulls are generally considered more modern than knobs, especially when they are sleek and linear. Options like chrome cabinet pulls, gold bar pulls, and modern brushed brass cabinet pulls create a streamlined, contemporary look that suits modern and transitional kitchen designs.
For drawers, the handle is usually placed in the center, while for doors, the handle is generally placed on the opposite side of the hinges. An exception is doors that open upwards, where the handle is placed in the middle of the door, along the edge to facilitate opening and closing.
The most common size for cabinet pulls is three inches. This size works well for most kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities. However, if you have larger cabinets or drawers, you may want to opt for a four-inch pull. And if you have smaller cabinets or drawers, you may want to choose a two-inch pull.
Cabinet Pulls Placement
And just like with knob placement, cabinets will look busy when the pull handles are placed flush with the door frame. When placing your pulls, remember that the 1'' to 4'' range (based on your personal preference) from the top or bottom edge of the drawer is the ideal placement.
While there is no set rule, we generally recommend that the pull length is approximately 1/3 of the cabinet or drawer width. Small Drawers that are 12” or less typically work best with a pull that is 3” to 4” long or a knob that is 1” in diameter.
Each pull should be about 1/6 the size of the drawer width. So if you have a 36 inch drawer, then you would want two 6 inch pulls spaced out on the drawer front.
Center-to-center sizing in cabinet hardware refers to the measurement between the centers of two adjacent mounting holes on a piece of hardware, such as handles, knobs, or pulls used on cabinets, drawers, or furniture.
A: Three inch hole center refers to the distants between the screw holes on the handle. This is important to know if you are replacing knobs on a door that already has screw holes drilled in it.
Ceramic Knobs
“[Ceramic knobs] are pretty common in older homes, but because they were so popular decades ago, they'll make your home feel a bit stuck in the past,” Cole adds.
For those who prefer a more subtle, understated look, brushed nickel and stainless steel finishes remain popular in 2025. These finishes are timeless, versatile, and easy to incorporate into almost any design style.