Guide to buying and fitting handles on kitchen cabinet fronts

There is always a bit of a learning curve when getting started with home improvements, and the same is true when it comes to changing the handles on your kitchen or wardrobe doors. It is, however, a wonderful feeling once the handles are fitted and your kitchen has been given a new lease of life.

We have changed many handles ourselves, and it is not as technically advanced as you might think. In fact, it is incredibly easy and takes only a minute or so per handle, and then it is done in three to four simple steps.

4 steps to fitting handles on kitchen cabinet fronts:

1. Measure the centre distance on your old handles.

2. Alternatively, prepare your kitchen cabinet fronts if they lack pre-drilled holes for handles or fittings.

3. Drill holes in the kitchen cabinet fronts.

4. Fit the handles on the kitchen cabinet fronts, and child safety guards if needed.

Measure the centre distance on your old handles

If you already have handles on your kitchen cabinet fronts, it is important to make sure you buy the right size for your new handles. Most countries today use standardised measurements (including Sweden) - the so-called centre distance. Centre distance refers to the distance from one hole to the other. The most common centre distances (in mm) are 64, 96, 128, 160, 192 mm and 320 mm. When it comes to kitchen handles and handles on wardrobes, 128 mm is the most common.

Make sure all the fronts have the same distance and that there are not different sizes across the handles and knobs. Grab a tape measure or folding rule and measure the distance between the holes drilled for the handles. You do not need to measure down to the millimetre, as you will quickly notice which of the above measurements has been used.

If you buy handles from us at Freya Home, we always state clearly in the product text which measurement it is, so that you can be sure it fits your particular kitchen, wardrobe door or bathroom.

Alternatively, prepare your kitchen cabinet fronts that lack pre-drilled holes for handles or fittings

Do you have a newly bought kitchen that does not have pre-drilled holes for handles, or handles that do not suit your preferences? In that case you will need to measure out the dimensions on your fronts or doors and make two holes.

For this purpose it is a good idea to buy a so-called drilling template, which makes it easy to measure out exactly where to drill. It is available from well-stocked builders' merchants but also from IKEA, for example. The template's rail can be placed against the edge of the cabinet front or drawer front and makes it easier to position the handle straight, horizontally or vertically.

Here is a link to IKEA's drilling template.

If it is just a single handle, you probably will not need any template, but when you are drilling several holes it is important that they end up in exactly the same place. What is more, it is considerably quicker with a drilling template too.

Drill holes in kitchen cabinet fronts

Most handles require you to drill holes in the fronts. It is easiest to use a simple drill with a wood bit and a guard - the guard can be as simple as a piece of wood.

You will find a good instructional video showing how to prepare kitchen cabinet fronts here on YouTube.

It is really not that hard to drill holes - just remember to measure correctly, use the centre distance, and protect your kitchen cabinet fronts with a piece of wood when you drill.

Fit handles on kitchen cabinet fronts, and child safety guards if needed

Finally, it is now time to fit the handles you have bought. If you have bought the handles from us, suitable screws are always included, so all you need is an ordinary screwdriver. If you have young children at home, it can be a good idea to buy a child safety guard for the handle - especially those for lower kitchen cabinet fronts if they have sharp edges. There are several websites online that sell corner and/or edge guards. Homesafety.se is one such website that offers several products in this area.

Have you not found the right handle yet? Freya Home gives you the chance to beautify your home with simple means - a little everyday luxury at home.