Hob-knobbing Your Way through Cabinet Knobs
Until the fashion aware 1960s, most cabinet knobs were pretty basic. They were either finished in nickel or brass and were round or oval. Of course, this was a time when everything was pretty basic. Phones were black, appliances were white and ice cream was vanilla or chocolate.
In the Rubik’s Cube world of today, choice is not only celebrated, but expected. And so it is with cabinet knobs, which come in a cascading array of shapes, colors, materials and finishes. In fact, your choice in cabinet knobs is limited only by your personal tastes, your décor and your budget.
If you are considering a remodel or just finishing one, it’s not too late to reconsider your knob choices. Surprisingly, cabinet knobs can have a profound effect on the look of your bathroom or kitchen. When combined with pulls and back plates, you’d be amazed how much character cabinet knobs can add, even to existing cabinetry.
Most cabinet knobs range in size from ¾” to 2” in size. They can be flat with round edges, ball shaped, t-shaped or oval. With cabinet knobs size is of the essence. It’s like the story of the three bears and the goldilocks girl. You don’t want a cabinet knob that’s too big or too small for the cabinet – you want one that’s just right.
You’ll also want to make sure that your hand or fingers can easily use the knob. Some people have larger hands than others and the clearance of the knob and the cabinet varies by design. You don’t want to lock on to a design that’s perfect for you but cramps the style of your loved ones.
Once you’ve settled on a design, it’s time to size it up. For all but the biggest cabinets, 1” to 1 ½” should do the trick. Remember, you want to pick a cabinet knob set that will work on all your cabinets, not just the upper or lower ones.
That said, you will want to check the base of the knob against your existing cabinet knobs. If it’s the same size or slightly larger, then you can simply replace the old with the new. But if the base is smaller than the existing cabinet knobs you’re switching out, then you may have to do some refinishing so the mark from the old cabinet knobs no longer show.
If you’re not that handy or excited about the labor, consider adding back plates. These little beauties go between the cabinets and the cabinet knobs, covering up unmatched finishes.
Most cabinet knobs come with a standard sized screw for ¾” material. If your cabinets are thick or if you’re planning to add back plates, you may need longer screws for your cabinet knobs. If they are American made cabinet knobs, then the screw is standard. An 8/32” screw will match and you can find these easily at your local hardware store.
Properly installed, cabinet knobs can make your kitchen or bath look new again, even with existing fixtures and cabinets. Along with a can of paint, it’s one of the easiest and most inexpensive home makeovers you can do all by yourself.Back to door and drawer cabinet hardware information
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