Swap a broken kitchen drawer front for a new one, keeping the same handle position and adjusting the fit before fixing it in place.
KD-01Prepare and gather your toolsEmpty the drawer and lay out a screwdriver, tape measure, pencil and a drill with a small pilot bit. Take a photo of the drawer front and handle before you start, so you can match the position later. Work over a towel or dust sheet to catch screws and protect the worktop.
KD-02Remove the drawer from the cabinetPull the drawer fully open. Most runners have a small lever or clip near the back - press it and lift the drawer box clear. Set the drawer box on a stable surface with the front facing up.
KD-03Take off the old drawer frontLook inside the drawer box for the adjustable fixing block holding the front in place - usually 2 screws through the box into the back of the front. Undo these and pull the old front away. Keep the screws if they're in good condition; buy new ones if they're worn or stripped.
KD-04Remove the handle and measure itUnscrew the handle or knob from the back of the old front. If it's a bar handle, measure the distance between the two fixing holes, centre to centre. This measurement is what you'll match on the new front.
KD-05Mark and drill the new frontHold the new front next to the old one, or use your measurement, to mark the handle hole positions with a pencil. Drill through slowly with a pilot bit slightly smaller than the handle screw to avoid splitting the surface. Check your marks twice - once drilled, holes can't be undone.
KD-06Fit the handle to the new frontPush the handle screws through from the back of the front and into the handle. Tighten by hand first, then snug up with a screwdriver. Don't overtighten - some laminate or MDF fronts can crack under too much force.
KD-07Attach the new front to the drawer boxLine the new front up against the drawer box with an even gap top and bottom. Loosely fit the fixing screws through the box into the back of the front - don't tighten fully yet, as you'll need room to adjust the fit once it's back in the cabinet.
KD-08Refit the drawer and adjust the alignmentSlide the drawer back onto its runners and push it closed. Check the gap around the front matches the neighbouring doors and drawers. Open it up again and nudge the fixing screws left, right, up or down until the gap looks even, then tighten fully.
KD-09Test the drawer and tidy upOpen and close the drawer a few times to check it runs smoothly and the front sits flush. Wipe down the new front to remove dust or fingerprints. Dispose of the old front responsibly - many local tips will recycle MDF or laminate boards.
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