Remodel Kitchen Cabinets by Replacing Knobs for Sleek Pulls
Is your kitchen stuck in the past with outdated oak cabinets and brass knobs? Do you dream of a sleek, modern kitchen but can't afford a full renovation? Upgrading those dated round knobs to minimalist bar pulls can transform the whole look of your kitchen for a fraction of a full remodel cost. Read on to learn why switching your hardware from knobs to pulls deserves a top spot on your kitchen updates list.
Knobs suit traditional kitchen aesthetics with ornate details and dark woods. But for contemporary spaces with clean lines, neutral colors, and stainless steel appliances,knobs look terribly out of place. Slab cabinet fronts and drawers cry out for long slim pulls that seamlessly integrate into the flat surface. The streamlined look opens up closed traditional spaces. If grease-smudged knobs drive you crazy on supposedly easy-wipe cabinets, then resistant stainless steel pulls remedy fingerprints and grime.
Assessing Your Existing Kitchen Cabinets
Before investing in new hardware, inspect your current cabinet boxes, doors and drawers. Ensure foundations are solid before slapping on a shiny new exterior. Check that cabinet frames sit squarely with intact corner joints. Examine door hinges for loose screws or failing mechanics. Evaluate finishes for cracks, chips or peeling laminate. If cabinet bones suffer too much wear, replacing doors and fronts costs less than fully gutting your kitchen. Consider refacing cabinets by adding new veneer coats rather than replacing entirely.
Choose a Style Direction
When selecting replacement hardware, first settle on an overall style direction. Browse kitchen inspiration photos online or in home magazines. Would you prefer your updated kitchen emulate a sleek modern feel with with a minimalist black and white palette? Or perhaps a homey farmhouse vibe with distressed wood textures and antique bronze pulls appeals more? Even small details like hardware finishes impact aesthetics immensely.
| Style | Pulls |
|---|---|
| Modern | Stainless steel bar pulls |
| Farmhouse | Black iron bin pulls |
Reasons to Switch From Knobs to Pulls
Once you decide on a style direction, evaluate whether knobs or pulls better fit your kitchen's form and function. Weigh factors like aesthetics along with ergonomics to guide hardware selections.
Appearance & Design
Supplanted knobs leave behind conspicuously empty holes, so selecting drawers with solid faces or acquiring slab-front replacement doors makes for a cleaner finish with pulls. For maximum minimalism, opt for discreet or hidden hinges as well. Evaluating contemporary cabinetry and appliances? Coordinate metal finishes throughout the whole kitchen by choosing stainless, nickel or bronze pulls as needed.
Glass-front cabinets actually benefit from visible hardware like bold pulls to enhance transparency and lightness. For ornate door styles like Shaker with deep recessed panels, pull handles counterbalance intricate contours for a streamlined look.
Functionality & Ergonomics
Replace tricky knobs with easy-to-grasp pulls for simplified accessibility. Extend your kitchen's lifespan by accommodating family members of all ages and abilities. For households with toddlers or elderly relatives, swapping out knobs for ergonomic pulls makes opening and shutting cabinets safer for those with limited mobility and strength.
Arthritis sufferers benefit from installing wide pulls requiring less precision and effort than knobs. Opt for styles like offset pulls to maximize handle clearance from cabinet fronts.
Consider alternative cabinets layouts while replacing hardware. Place everyday dinnerware within easy reach in lower cabinets. Install specialty pull-out shelves for heavy appliances eliminating difficult under-cabinet access. Take the opportunity to maximize form and function.
Continue reading for factors like maintenance, placement considerations and style selections for choosing perfect pulls to replace outdated knobs.
Selecting New Pulls for Your Kitchen Cabinets
Placement
Typical standard upper cabinets stand at 15 inches deep while lowers are 24 inches. Measure existing holes to calculate ideal sizing for replacement pulls. Stagger overlapping double pulls on particularly wide drawers for visual appeal.
Mind reveal spaces between knobs and doors so new hardware avoids collisions from swing ranges. A standard 1/2 inch reveal works for most applications. Take care not to squish cabinet contents by allowing proper clearance.
Styles & Shapes
Choose a consistent finish and shape for pulls throughout the kitchen for a unified look. Mix up styles between upper and lower cabinets to inject visual interest.
On doors, consider C, J or L-shaped flat bar pulls which mount discretely to vertical or horizontal surfaces. U, Z and arching pulls adorn drawers dynamically. Angled styles add depth.
Materials
Select durable materials like stainless steel, matte nickel or brushed bronze rather than painted finishes prone to chipping over time from frequent handling.
While plain steel pulls pair well with stainless steel appliances, brass finishes warm up cool shades of grey. Contrast matte black powder coated brackets against crisp white cabinetry.
Installation Process
When ready to tackle the replacement process, gather supplies: fasteners, screw gun, measuring tape, hardware, filler and sealant for patching old holes.
Remove Existing Knobs
Eliminate visible damage by using filler sticks, wood plugs or silicone sealant in former screw holes. Sand smooth and paint over flaws seamlessly.
Measure and Mark New Pull Placements
Balance pulls evenly across doors and staggered on drawers. Double check you've allowed proper clearance before drilling any holes.
Install Pulls
Follow hardware specifications for mounting individual pulls. Most often screwing directly into cabinet fronts works for wooden doors and fronts. Contact cement or adhesive offers removable solutions for more sensitive surfaces.
Style Completed Kitchen Remodel
Once installed, stand back and appreciate your almost-new looking kitchen. Add trendy canisters, plants and marble-patterned utensils to mimic photoshoot-worthy spaces from home magazines.
Share your budget transformation on social media tagging suppliers to help friends undertake similar affordable remodels. Bold brass bar pulls breathe new life into worn mahogany cabinets for thousands less than full gut renovations.
Contemporary custom pulls quickly yield to outdated knobs that were thoughtfully selected. The simple switch allows you to remodel your kitchen on a reasonable budget with spectacular, transformative results.