Style of the cabinets/drawers will have an impact on the style of the hardware. Bring a cabinet or drawer front when choosing the hardware.
Color or Finish of the hardware should coordinate or complement the finish and color of the cabinets/drawers. Appliances and faucets may coordinate with the hardware, also, to provide a desired effect. Some manufacturers create families of pulls and hinges for ease of coordination.
Size and Weight of the cabinet door or drawer may affect the size and type of pulls and will affect the number of hinges for doors. A large, solid wood cabinet door will require substantial hinges in size and number.
CTC (center-to-center measurement) — when replacing hardware on existing cabinets/drawers, know the center-to-center measurement. The length from one pre-existing hole to the other is called CTC (center-to-center) measure. Most frequently, the length is 3-inches, but some may be three and three-quarter inches up to even five inches. Longer lengths are available but uncommon. If the design chosen for the new look is not available in the pre-existing CTC, a complementary back plate may be purchased separately to cover the holes; one or two new holes must be drilled to accommodate the new hardware.
Timeframe— if refitting a door with new pulls or knobs, know that some materials or styles may have to be ordered, and may delay a project. The same with new cabinets, but ordering the hardware with the cabinetry should result in a simultaneous delivery.
Installation into pre-existing holes will require a screwdriver. If a new hole is required, use the upper pre-existing hole and drill the new hole down the cabinet door. Creating a template will be necessary for installation on new doors so each pull or knob is at the same height across the length of cabinets or is centered on a drawer. If using a back plate, use the pre-existing hole and mark the new hole with a pencil before drilling.
Budget counts! Know how many pulls or knobs, hinges, drawer slides, etc. are needed to factor the total cost for the budget.