Swap kitchen cupboard handles by measuring hole spacing, removing old ones, and fitting new handles securely.
KH-01Check the hole spacing on your new handlesMeasure the distance between the two screw holes on your existing handle, centre to centre, in mm. Compare this to the hole spacing on the new handles. If they match, you can reuse the existing holes. If they don't match, you'll need to drill new holes later in the job.
KH-02Lay out a dust sheet and gather your toolsWork on one cupboard or drawer at a time so you don't mix up screws. Lay a dust sheet or old towel on the worktop to catch screws and stop them rolling away. Have your screwdriver, drill and new handles ready before you start.
KH-03Remove the old handleOpen the door or drawer and locate the two screws on the inside face. Undo them fully with a screwdriver and lift the old handle away. Keep the screws to one side in case you want to reuse the same fixing holes.
1 each · Screwdriver (flat or Phillips, to match existing screws)
KH-04If the hole spacing matches, fit the new handle straight awayHold the new handle against the existing holes on the outside face. Push the new screws through from the inside and tighten by hand first, then with a screwdriver. Don't overtighten — cupboard doors are thin and the screw can strip the hole if forced.
2 each · Handle screws (usually supplied with new handles)
KH-05If the spacing is different, mark and drill new holesHold the new handle in position and mark the new screw centres lightly with a pencil. Use a bradawl or the drill bit tip to make a small starter dent so the drill doesn't wander. Drill a pilot hole through the door at each mark using a bit slightly narrower than the screw shank, keeping the drill square to the door face.
KH-06Fit the new handle through the new holesPush the screws through from the inside face into the new pilot holes and hand-tighten first. Check the handle sits flat and square before fully tightening with a screwdriver. Open and close the door or drawer to check it doesn't catch on anything.
2 each · Handle screws (usually supplied with new handles)
KH-07Fill any old, unused holesIf the new handle position has left old holes exposed, push a small amount of wood filler or matching-colour filler stick into each hole with a flat tool. Wipe away excess with a damp cloth while it's still wet. Leave to dry fully before touching, then lightly sand flush if needed.
KH-08Repeat for all remaining cupboards and drawersWork through each door and drawer the same way, checking hole spacing before you remove each old handle. Keep new handles and screws paired together as you go to avoid mismatches. This keeps the job tidy and stops you doubling back.
KH-09Final check and tidy upOpen and close every door and drawer to check the new handles feel secure and nothing rubs or catches. Go round with a screwdriver and give each screw a final snug tighten. Collect old handles, screws and the dust sheet, and wipe down doors with a damp cloth to remove pencil marks or dust.