Changing the hardware on cabinets and furniture is one of the easiest and quickest ways to renovate a room. There is a wide range of knobs for every price range, some are even paintable.
Steps
Step 1. Count the exact number of knobs you need
Remember to consider every wall unit, wardrobe, drawer and door, then recount to check; it's really annoying to realize you've made a mistake and have to go back to the shop to buy more stuff!
Step 2. Calculate the distance between the centers of the holes to determine the size of the handles you need (or read the notes below to change from a handle with two holes to a knob)
Step 3. Define the size of the knobs
Current furniture trends converge on large hardware, but you need to be cautious. Very large items on small furniture will look funny, have a "cartoon" effect, but it could just be the result you were looking for. If you have doors and drawers with elaborate panels and thick frames, you should consider the width of the crossbars. As a general rule, the best aesthetic effect is ensured by handles and knobs whose dimensions do not exceed half the width of the crosspieces.
Step 4. Evaluate the size of the screws
Knobs typically come with 30-50mm screws and you should make sure these sizes are suitable for the type of furniture you have. The doors and drawers usually need screws of different lengths, as do the various pieces of furniture. For drawers whose front panel has been attached as a separate piece, you need to use screws that can penetrate a wood thickness of 30-38mm. In most cases the doors are built with 18mm axles, so a 25mm screw is more than enough. You can measure the thickness of the panel in which you have to insert the small parts; in addition to the length, you must also know the diameter of the screws. If you use the ones supplied with the knobs, you shouldn't worry about this detail, but if they are not the correct length, the best thing to do is to measure the thickness of the panel and take the knob to the hardware store to buy the small parts of the right diameter.
Step 5. Disassemble the existing handles using the appropriate tool
If the screws are stuck, spray the heads with a small dose of WD-40 or a drop of other penetrating oil, then wait a few minutes to allow the liquid to reach the thread; you should be able to remove the screws with little effort.
Step 6. Install the new knobs
If necessary, drill holes making sure that they are of the right diameter and perpendicular to the surface of the door; if the hole is tilted, you will not be able to tighten the screw to the handle.
Step 7. Manually insert the tip of the new screw into the existing hole
Push it on the inside of the door / drawer just enough for the thread to catch.
Step 8. Screw the small parts with the appropriate tool (flat screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver or Allen wrench) by passing them through the door and inserting them into the new knob
Tighten the screws after you have installed all the screws you need for a handle and when you are satisfied with the appearance and alignment of the handle.
Step 9. Finished
Advice
- If you plan to paint or refinish the cabinet or cabinet, complete this part of the project after removing the existing hardware and before installing the new one.
- If you don't want to repaint the structure, try using two knobs, one for each hole. Use your imagination and make them fun, mix elements in the shape of a dragonfly with those in the shape of a butterfly or a toy car with an airplane.
- If the screw is a bit long and the knob does not stick to the door, you can add a washer between the screw and the surface.
- If you want to remove a drawer knob that has two holes and can't find a replacement of the right size, you can repaint the surface and then drill new holes. The best thing to do is to get some 6mm wooden pins. Enlarge the existing holes so they are 6mm in diameter and insert the pin with some glue. When the adhesive has dried, sand the surface and fill in the imperfections with a little wood putty before wiping the sandpaper again; at this point you can apply the paint. This method is much better than using putty alone which never manages to give a perfectly smooth appearance to the door.
- When choosing new knobs and handles, take the old ones with you (screws included) to make sure the parts fit perfectly; you could also bring a drawer to evaluate the final aesthetic aspect.
- Alternatively, you can glue a flat wooden decorative element or a rosette to cover the two holes. You can paint it before applying it if you have decided not to paint the furniture; afterwards, you just need to drill the holes in which to install the new handles.
