How to Measure for Dresser Drawer Pulls

Drawer and door pulls add a decorative value to your cabinetry and have a lot to do with the overall look of your room. Homeowners often add pulls to cabinets even though they aren't necessary for the mechanics of opening. They can be color coordinated to the other hardware in your room and add a finishing touch. However, because pulls are typically added after cabinet installation, installing them is a skill that must be learned. When drilling for cabinet drawer and door pulls, measure accurately so the pulls are level and centered. Correct placement is crucial for the look of the finished project. Go over the steps and be sure of the details before putting any tools to wood.

Drawer Pulls

Determine the size of your pull. It will probably be marked on the package, but if it isn't, measure from the center of one screw hole to the center of the other.

Decide where you want the pull to be located. On a standard drawer, a pull is usually added to the center of the drawer. On a large drawer, the pull can be in the center or closer to the top, depending on your preference. If you choose to have two pulls on a drawer, center them equidistant from the left and right edges. Use a level to make sure the holes are level with each other.

Measure the horizontal distance of the drawer face and lightly mark the center point with a pencil.

Measure the vertical distance of the drawer face and mark lightly with a pencil. Move your original mark up or down to this mark to find your final center point.

From the center point, measure one-half the distance of the pull out to each side. For instance, if you have a 2-inch pull, go out 1 inch on each side of your center mark. Make two marks where you will drill.

Put the sharp end of an awl or a sharp nail on the mark and push to make a small pilot hole. Use a level to see if the holes are in the right place.

Drill your holes with a bit the same size or only slightly larger than the diameter of the hole in your pull. Go all the way through to the back of the drawer face.

Place your pull over the holes. Put the pull screws in from the back of the drawer face and screw the pull on tightly.

Door Pulls

Decide where you want the pull to be located. On a door, the pull should be 1 inch from the side edge of the door. The distance from the top is personal choice, but the pulls look best on the upper half for lower cabinets. If your cabinet is high, place the pull on the lower portion of the door so you can easily reach it. Most pulls on doors are placed vertically.

Measure in 1 inch from the side of the door edge as far down on the door as you want the pull to go and mark it with a pencil. From that point, measure one-half the distance of the pull up to the top and then the bottom. For instance, if you have a 2-inch pull, go up 1 inch to the top and 1 inch to the bottom of your center dot and make two marks where you will drill.

Put the sharp end of an awl or a small nail on the marks and make small pilot holes. Use a level to see if the holes are in the right place.

Drill your holes with a bit the same size or only slightly larger than the diameter of the hole in your pull. Go all the way through to the back of the door front.

Place your pull over the holes. Put the pull screws in from the back of the door front and screw the pull on tightly.

Tips

• If you find a knob that goes better with your look, or your cabinets will operate with just adding a knob instead of a pull, you might choose to do that. With a knob you need to drill only one hole. If your drawer front is long, however, you may need two knobs (or pulls), and in this case, measurements are still crucial. You'll want them equidistant from the left and right edge.

Writer Bio

Jill Davis started writing professionally in 2006. She has had articles published in "Yogi Times" and "Orange Pealings" magazines. Davis received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from California State University, Long Beach.

How to Measure for Dresser Drawer Pulls

Source: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/drill-door-drawer-pulls-28640.html

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