Cabinet Knobs for Kitchens and Dressers

How to choose a cabinet knob

Start with the feel you want in your hand. A 1 in (25 mm) knob suits small drawers and upper cabinet doors. A 1-1/8 in (29 mm) or 1-3/16 in (30 mm) knob gives a little more to grip on lower cabinets and dressers. The European Round Cabinet Knob is the largest here at 1-1/2 in (38 mm) across, so it works well on wide drawers and pantry doors.

Then match the finish to the rest of the room. Solid brass reads warm and classic. Antique bronze and zinc alloy read darker and more vintage. If your faucet, hinges or lighting are brass, brass knobs tie the room together. If they are dark bronze or black, the antique bronze and zinc options fit that look.

Finally, decide between a single knob and a pack. Most knobs here are sold as a single, which is right when you are replacing a few or mixing styles. The European Round Cabinet Knob comes as a pack of 5 or a pack of 10, and the Round Zinc Cabinet Knob comes as a pack of 25, which suits a full kitchen or a large dresser.

Sizes and measuring

Measure the old knob before you order. Pull one knob off and check the diameter across the face, then check the screw length that reaches through your door or drawer front. Cabinet fronts vary in thickness, and the wrong screw length is the most common reason a knob will not sit tight.

Here is what each knob in this category measures:

• Antique Bronze Round Brass Cabinet Knob: 1-1/8 in (29 mm) diameter, with 1 in (25 mm) and 1-3/4 in (45 mm) screws included
• Round Brass Cabinet Knob: 1 in (25 mm) diameter, with a 1 in (25 mm) screw included
• Knurled Brass Cabinet Knob and Pull: single screw from the back, with 1 in (25 mm) screws included
• Nurlin Solid Brass Cabinet Knob: single M4 screw from the back, with 1 in (25 mm) screws included
• European Round Cabinet Knob: 1-1/2 x 0.9 in (38 x 23 mm), sold as a pack of 5 or a pack of 10
• Heritage Antique Bronze Cabinet Knob: single hole, screw from the back
• Round Zinc Cabinet Knob: 1-3/16 in (30 mm) diameter, with 1 in (25 mm) and 1-3/4 in (45 mm) screws included

For a standard 3/4 in (19 mm) drawer front, a 1 in (25 mm) screw is usually enough. For a thicker door, use the 1-3/4 in (45 mm) screw. The Antique Bronze Round Brass Cabinet Knob and the Round Zinc Cabinet Knob both include both lengths, so you can fit either without a trip to the hardware store.

Spacing matters too. On a wide drawer, two knobs set a few inches in from each end look balanced and pull evenly. On a narrow drawer, one centered knob is the cleaner choice. Keep the same height on every door in a run so the line reads straight across the kitchen.

Materials and finishes

Solid brass is the heaviest option here, and it ages with a warm patina over time. The Antique Bronze Round Brass Cabinet Knob, the Round Brass Cabinet Knob, the Knurled Brass Cabinet Knob and Pull, and the Nurlin Solid Brass Cabinet Knob are all solid brass. The knurled style adds a textured grip, which helps on drawers that get pulled often.

Zinc alloy is a sturdy, lower-cost metal that holds a dark finish well. The Heritage Antique Bronze Cabinet Knob and the Round Zinc Cabinet Knob are both zinc alloy. The Heritage style has a vintage antique bronze look, which suits older cabinets and furniture. The Round Zinc Cabinet Knob is a plain round shape that fits modern and traditional rooms alike.

The European Round Cabinet Knob is made of metal with a clean, rounded profile. It is the widest knob here and the only one sold in multi-packs of 5 or 10, so it is a good match when you want one style across a whole set of doors.

Mounting and installation

Every knob here fixes from the back of the door or drawer front, so no hardware shows on the face. Most use a single screw. The Antique Bronze Round Brass Cabinet Knob uses two M4 screws from the back, which keeps a larger knob from twisting on the door.

Installation is simple. Mark the hole position on the front, drill through, then pass the screw from the back and thread it into the knob. Tighten by hand until the knob sits flush. Do not over-tighten, since that can mar a wood front or strip the thread. If a knob feels loose after a few weeks of use, a quarter turn on the screw usually settles it.

If you are replacing knobs on an existing cabinet, reuse the old holes when you can. The screw sizes listed above cover most standard fronts, and the two-screw lengths included with two of the knobs give you room for thicker doors.

Care and everyday use

Keep it simple. Wipe solid brass and zinc knobs with a dry cloth. A soft cloth removes fingerprints and dust without dulling the finish. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh cleaners, which can scratch the surface or strip the antique bronze tone.

Brass will darken slightly with age and handling, which is normal and part of the look. If you prefer a brighter shine, a light polish made for brass works, but test it on the back of the knob first. Zinc alloy holds its finish well and needs only a dry wipe.

In a kitchen, knobs near the stove pick up grease over time. A dry cloth each week keeps them clean. In a bathroom, a dry cloth after cleaning the room keeps water spots off the metal.