The Right Way To Mount Cup Pulls On Your Cabinets Is Trickier Than You Think

Whether you are doing a major renovation or simply updating some small details in your home, it is important to explore the many types of cabinet hardware (and how to choose what is right for you). One great, classic hardware choice is a cup pull. Cup pulls are a type of pull that are enclosed on one side and open on the other. They are an elegant way to add a more traditional touch to kitchen, bathroom, or other room with cabinets, but they can also have a cool, modern look. Cup pulls have been used since the Victorian era, and they were designed to be used on heavy drawers. Although they have been around for a long time, installing cup pulls can be a bit of a pain to get just right. If you have decided that cup pulls are the perfect addition to your cabinets, you need to know how to properly install them. 

When it comes to basic installation, there are three types of cup pulls: countersunk, surface mounted, and flush. Countersunk cup pulls are installed using posts in the back, surface-mounted pulls are installed from the front, and flush pulls are typically installed in the back because they are simply countersunk pulls without posts. The other type of flush cup pull is flat and does not protrude from the cabinet door or drawer, which gives it a much different look. Once you know the type of cup pull you have, you can determine where on the cabinet you want to place your pull and start on installation.

To install cup pulls, you will need a power drill, a pencil, a level, and the cup pull installation kit. Make sure you have a drill bit that fits the screws for your cup pulls, and if you are installing on a thick cabinet door or a thicker design element like a stile, you will also likely need longer screws than the ones that come in cup pull installation kits. Once you have your materials, you can begin. First, remove the previous hardware. Before you donate, sell, or toss it, check out these stylish ways to repurpose cabinet pulls around your home or garden. Next, mark where holes need to be created for the cup pull. Make sure to check that they are level before drilling your pilot holes. Then, insert the screws according to the manufacturer's instructions to secure the cup pull to the cabinet.

A large part of correctly installing cup pulls is ensuring optimal placement. Think about choosing easy-to-reach spots for your placement. For a cabinet drawer, either center the cup pull or install two pulls if the drawer is wider than about 2 feet. For doors, first decide if you want the pull to be horizontal or vertical. Horizontal is a more classic choice, but vertical cup pulls can work on cabinet doors as well. Either way, they should be installed 2 to 3 inches from the bottom edge of an upper cabinet or the top of a lower cabinet.

If your cabinets have stiles or rails, you might want to slightly adjust your placement. Center a cup pull on the stile if there is one, and line up the bottom edge with the top edge of the rail for upper cabinets or the bottom edge of the rail for lower cabinets for vertical placement. A horizontal door pull installation is less common, but it looks nice when the pull is installed on the lower edge of the rail with the outer edge of the pull centered on the stile. Another helpful idea to consider is installing the pulls so that they cover any holes from the previous hardware. If you are replacing a knob, you should be able to hide the old hole underneath the cup pull without anyone noticing, saving you the trouble of filling it. While these guidelines can help save you from the tricky placement issue of installing cup pulls, make sure you hold the pull in different positions on the cabinet before attempting to install it to see exactly how your cup pull shape and cabinet door work together.

If you learn to handle the tricky parts of installing cup pulls and are able to secure them with the right placement and long enough screws, you will be able to enjoy their durable and timeless style for years to come. Just keep in mind that cup pulls need to be cleaned to be properly maintained, as they are one of many popular household items that are secretly dirt magnets.