Guide to buying and installing handles on kitchen doors

There is always a certain amount of initial distance to get started with home improvement, even when it comes to changing the handles on your kitchen or wardrobe doors. However, it is a fantastic feeling when the handles are fully installed and your kitchen has been given new life.

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

4 steps to install handles on kitchen doors:

1. Measure the cc dimension of your old handles.

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

3. Drill holes in kitchen doors.

4. Install handles on kitchen doors and possibly child safety locks.

Measure the cc dimensions of your old handles

If you already have handles on your kitchen doors, it is important to ensure that you buy the right size for your new handles. In most countries today, standardized measurements are used (including Sweden) - so-called CC measurements. CC stands for center to center and is the distance between one hole and the other. The most common CC measurements (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 doors are the same distance apart and there are no different sizes of handles and knobs. Get out a tape measure or folding rule and measure the distance between the holes drilled for the handles. You don't need to measure to the millimeter as you can quickly see which of the above measurements has been used.

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

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

If you have a newly purchased kitchen that does not have pre-drilled holes for handles or has handles that do not suit your preferences, you will need to measure the dimensions of your doors and make two holes.

For this purpose, it is advisable to buy a so-called drilling template that makes it easy to measure out exactly where to drill. It is available from well-equipped hardware stores but also from IKEA, for example. The template's strip can be placed next to the edge of the door or drawer front and facilitates a straight horizontal or vertical placement of the handle.

Here is a link to IKEA's drilling template .

If it's just a single handle, then no measurements are needed, but when you're drilling multiple holes, it's important that they end up in exactly the same place. Plus, it's much faster with a drilling template.

Drill holes in kitchen doors

Most handles require drilling holes in the doors. It is easiest to use a simple drill with a wood drill bit and a guard - the guard can be as simple as a wooden plate.

You can find a good instructional video showing how to prepare kitchen cabinets here on Youtube .

It's actually not that difficult to drill holes - just remember to measure correctly, use cc measurements, and protect your kitchen doors with a wooden plate when drilling.

Install handles on kitchen doors and possibly child safety locks

Finally, it is now time to install the handles that you have purchased. If you have purchased the handles from us, suitable screws are always included so all you need is a regular screwdriver. If you have small children at home, it may be a good idea to buy child safety guards for the handles - especially those for lower kitchen doors if they have sharp edges. There are several sites online that sell corner and or edge guards. Homesafety.se is one such site that offers several products in this area.

Haven't found the right handle yet? Freya Home offers you the opportunity to beautify your home with simple means - a little everyday luxury at home.