I bet you thought installing cabinet knobs was a no-brainer.

Replacing knobs is easy because the holes are already in place. But if you’re installing them for the first time, it can get tricky. There is a method to installing cabinet knobs, and there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Tim Carter from Ask the Builder answered a reader’s question about the proper way to install cabinet knobs. He writes:

Function is more important than form. When you think about knob placement, the cabinet knobs should be at a height where they are comfortable to reach and provide the greatest physical advantage or leverage when opening the door.

The farther away the knob is from the hinge, the less effort you need to open the door. You can discover this by placing a knob on an old cabinet door. Put the knob in the center of the door and you will see it takes far more effort to open the door than if the knob is on the outer edge of the cabinet-door frame, away from the hinge.

There are hundreds of different knob styles, shapes, and sizes to choose from, but as the “Builder” said, function is more important than form. As long as you install knobs properly, you’ll get the benefit of beautiful form and practical function. Here are a few tips to remember for proper knob installation:

• There is no standard cabinet door size or design, so make sure you tailor your requirements accordingly;
• The closer to the hinge you place the knob, the better;
• Backplates can be used as guides, but they subtract from aesthetic quality;
• Placing knobs in the correct location requires concentration; otherwise, use a template;
• Make sure screws are the correct length for your knobs;
• Go easy on the drilling; light pressure is better.

All in all, installing cabinet knobs the right way the first time requires patience and planning.