What You Need

  • Handles or knobs (with included screws)
  • Drill and drill bit (match to screw diameter — typically 5mm)
  • Measuring tape and pencil
  • Masking tape (prevents drill bit from wandering on laminate)
  • Optional: cabinet hardware jig/template ($10–30 from Bunnings — essential for multiple handles)

Single Handle Installation

  1. 1

    Mark the drill holes accurately

    Measure the hole spacing on your handle (the distance between the two screw holes for a bar handle, or the single hole position for a knob). Decide where on the door you want the handle — typically 50–75mm from the edge and 50–75mm from the corner. Mark both drill points with a pencil. Apply a small square of masking tape over each mark — this stops the drill bit skating on slippery surfaces.

  2. 2

    Drill from the front face

    Drill from the front (visible) face of the door through to the back. Drilling from the front ensures any tear-out occurs on the back (hidden) side. Place a piece of scrap wood behind the door at the drill point to prevent splintering as the bit exits. Drill slowly and steadily — do not force the drill.

  3. 3

    Insert screws from back, attach handle from front

    The machine screws that come with handles insert from the back of the door, through the holes, and thread into the handle on the front. Hold the handle in position on the front, insert the screws from the back, and hand-tighten. Confirm the handle is straight, then tighten fully with a screwdriver. Do not overtighten — you can crack thin door panels.

Using a Drilling Jig for Multiple Handles

A cabinet hardware jig clamps to the door and positions the drill holes precisely every time without measuring. Essential when fitting handles to 10, 20 or 40 cabinet doors — it ensures every handle is in exactly the same position relative to the door edge. Jigs are adjustable for different handle spacings and door sizes.

Handle screw lengthThe included screws may not match your door thickness. Measure your door thickness and ensure the screw is long enough to pass through the door and thread fully into the handle (typically 5–10mm of thread engagement needed). Hardware stores sell M4 machine screws in various lengths — buy the correct length if the included ones are too short.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common handle hole spacings: 96mm is the most standard for drawer handles. 128mm and 160mm are common for larger drawers and doors. Knobs use a single hole and fit any door. For a cohesive look: use the same hole spacing throughout the kitchen. If replacing existing handles, measure the hole spacing on the current handles before buying. Bar handles 160–320mm long look proportionate on tall pantry doors; 96–128mm handles suit standard cabinet doors.
If your new handles have different hole spacing from the old ones: fill the old holes with wood filler (for painted cabinets) or a colour-matched wood filler/two-part epoxy filler (for timber or stained cabinets). Let cure completely, sand flush, touch up paint or stain, then drill new holes. On painted doors, filling and repainting the entire door face gives the cleanest result.