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The Daily Insight

What is projection in cabinet hardware

Author

Emily Carr

Updated on May 19, 2026

Projection is the measurement of how far the hardware stands out from the drawer or cabinet. You may need to choose a knob or pull with a shorter projection height to ensure that your cabinets and drawers open properly in tight corners. Knobs are projecting pieces in various shapes that typically attach with one screw.

What are the different types of cabinet hardware?

  • ROUND. The most popular kind, this shape can be used for both cabinet doors and drawers. …
  • SQUARE. The slightly less traditional version of the round knob, square knobs add a contemporary finish to your kitchen cabinets.
  • OVAL / FOOTBALL. …
  • PULL KNOB / T-KNOB. …
  • NOVELTY. …
  • ORNATE.

What is projection in hardware?

A projector or image projector is an optical device that projects an image (or moving images) onto a surface, commonly a projection screen. Most projectors create an image by shining a light through a small transparent lens, but some newer types of projectors can project the image directly, by using lasers.

How do you measure cabinet hardware?

Center-to-Center– the distance from the CENTER of one screw hole to the CENTER of the other screw hole. This is the standard industry measurement for sizing cabinet handles. Overall Length– the distance from one end of the pull to the other end.

What is cabinet handle projection?

Projection (also known as depth) refers to the distance between the cabinet and the pull. This is typically the space where you grab onto the pull. The larger the projection, the more room your hands will have to fit between the pull and cabinet.

How do you decide between knobs and pulls?

There are no strict rules to follow when choosing whether to select a knob or a pull or both. One preference is to use knobs for all doors and pulls for all drawers. For any large door such as a pantry and any pull-out door (including pull-out base pantries or trash pull-outs), use a pull.

How is cabinet pull projection measured?

Projection is the amount that the drawer pull projects, or “sticks out” from the drawer or cabinet face. It is measured from the bottom of the base of the pull to the outermost point. On the pull above, the projection is 1-1/16″.

How long should Pulls be on cabinets?

While there is no set rule, we generally recommend that the pull length is approximately 1/3 of the cabinet or drawer width. Small Drawers that are 12” or less typically work best with a pull that is 3” to 4” long or a knob that is 1” in diameter.

How many knobs are in a drawer?

Drawers wider than 18″ need two knobs/pulls, whereas drawer narrower need only one. If a drawer is wide enough to need two knobs, they should be set about 1/6th of the drawer length from each end (roughly). Single pulls or knobs on drawers should be laterally centered and slightly higher than vertical center.

Where should cabinet pulls be placed?

Pulls should be placed horizontally on drawers. For small drawers (less than 24” wide) center the knobs or pulls in both directions. Just like on larger drawers, pulls should be placed horizontally. Knobs and pulls can also be placed centered at the very top of the drawer panel, where the drawer rail begins.

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How do you match existing cabinet hardware?

  1. Use a warm metal (gold, brass, copper) with a cool metal (chrome, nickel, pewter).
  2. Never use two warm metals or two cool metals together because it will look mismatched.
  3. A trendy mix right now is matte black with brass or gold.

What are cabinet knobs called?

Nevertheless, cabinet handles, also called cabinet pulls, and their near kin, cabinet knobs, can make a big difference in the look and utility of your kitchen.

What are cabinet pulls made of?

Cabinet knobs and pulls are mainly made from metal, glass, and crystal. With metal, you can choose cabinet pulls in nickel, pewter, chrome, stainless steel, and bronze in varying finishes, such as satin or oil-rubbed.

How do you measure hardware?

The Center-to-Center of any drawer pull is the distance between the center of one screw hole to the center of the other. Measuring the center-to-center of the drawer pull is key in determining what new hardware will fit and whether you’ll need to drill new mounting holes or fit into existing ones.

How do you measure cabinet knobs?

Measure the projection of the cabinet knob by placing the tip of the measuring tape against the flat front of a cabinet door and pulling the measuring tape out to the face of the knob. The projection or depth of the knob is at the farthest point that it protrudes out from the cabinet door.

How do you measure a knob?

Overall Length: The distance from one end of the pull to the other end. Center-to-Center: The industry standard for measuring pulls, the distance from the center of one screw hole to the center of the other screw hole. Diameter: Refers to the width of a knob or width of the thickest portion of a pull.

What is drawer pull projection?

Projection (also known as depth) refers to the distance between the cabinet and the pull. This is typically the space where you grab onto the cabinet knob or pull. The larger the projection, the more room your hands will have to fit between the pull handle and cabinet.

How many different size pulls on cabinets?

There are many options for sizes and many configurations to choose from. Our go-to recommendations are below. Keep in mind that the longer the pull, the more contemporary the appearance. One of the most popular options is to pick one size and use it throughout your cabinetry.

What is the standard size cabinet pull?

For standard size cabinetry (dimensions of 12″ – 36″) the most common pull sizes are 3”, 4”, 96mm, and 128mm center to center (from one screw hole to another). Standard knob sizes are 1 1/4″ or 1 3/8″.

Are knobs or pulls better?

In many instances, knobs make it easier to open upper cabinets. Pulls, on the other hand, offer easier operation of lower cabinets. Just take a look at this Victorian kitchen. You’ll notice that all the upper cabinets have knobs, while the majority of the lower cabinets feature pulls.

Should my kitchen cabinet pulls match my faucet?

Does cabinet hardware have to match your faucet? No. But, traditionally kitchens and bathrooms will match hardware finishes to the faucet to tie the finishes in the room together. Matching cabinet hardware to your faucet creates a cohesive look.

Should kitchen cabinets have knobs or handles?

Should I use knobs or pulls on kitchen cabinets? Whether you should use knobs or pulls for your kitchen cabinets is up to personal preference. Knobs can be the more comfortable option for cabinet doors because your hand rotates naturally as you open them.

Where do knobs go on cabinet drawers?

Cabinet knobs are placed opposite of door hinges. On wall cabinets, knobs are usually placed 2-1/2” to 3” from the bottom corner of the door. On base cabinets, they are placed 2-1/2” to 3” from the upper corner of the door. If your drawer is 24” or wider, you may choose to place a second knob.

When should a drawer have 2 pulls?

As a general rule of thumb, if your drawer is 30″ or wider, I like to use two cup pulls. Lastly, if you have tall drawers, you can either center them in the overall drawer, or install them on the top rail.

Where do pulls go on Shaker cabinets?

Center of the Stile: Knobs and pulls can be placed halfway up the stile of your Shaker door. Keep in mind you’ll want to be able to reach the handles, since they will be placed higher up along the stile. Just Above or Below the Corners: Place the knobs or pulls 2” to 3” from the lower or upper corner.

How big should dishwasher pull be?

Smaller Appliances (i.e. Dishwasher Or Fridge Drawers): 12 inch long appliance pulls are typically large enough. Larger Appliances (Refrigerator Or Freezer Columns): 18 inches or longer appliance pulls can look most proportionate.

What kitchen hardware is most popular?

Bar pulls remain the most popular kitchen cabinet hardware. They look classic, come in a variety of finishes and are usually quite affordable when purchased in bulk.

What size should cabinet knobs be?

Knobs that are 1 ¼” to 1 ⅜” are standard for most applications. Any knob that is 1 ½ inches or larger is generally used on larger cabinets or if someone is really trying to make their hardware stand out and look more dramatic.

Can you mix hardware in a kitchen?

From a style perspective, mixing different types of hardware can give a kitchen lots of character, adding subtle visual interest. Especially in a larger kitchen, you may want to avoid the repetitiveness of using just one handle for every single door and drawer.

Is black hardware trendy?

Every few years, it seems like the trendy metal of choice for hardware, decor, and finishes shifts in the design world. … While black is certainly showing up everywhere, the matte black trend is showing up mainly in kitchen and bathroom design.

Can you mix cabinet hardware finishes?

Mixing metal finishes can add dimension and visual interest to a room. Instead of a monochromatic, one-note space, you create intrigue and the illusion of texture. When you mix metals, you can blend styles, making a room look more or less modern depending on your personal taste.