Installing new cabinet hardware is a great way to bring dingy old cabinets back to life. It can be done as a regular update to old and worn cabinets or as an added finishing touch to a cabinet refinishing job. Learning how to install cabinet hardware is an easy and affordable task that will pay off in no time, when you do the job instead of hiring a carpenter.

There are four basic parts to your kitchen cabinet:

hinges
knobs
roller skates
latching mechanism

You can find a hinge to suit any style of door, from an industrial meat cupboard to a dainty dollhouse filigree surface mount hinge. When replacing hardware, if you want to take the guesswork and hassle out of hanging your doors, look for a set of hinges that matches your current screw pattern as well as the door’s swing path. Just because the holes line up doesn’t mean the hinge will work the same way. You may want to buy a test pair of hinges first if you’re not ready to figure out exactly how to reassemble the hardware.

The next area is the door opener or knob. You can find them in all available styles. If you’re replacing kitchen cabinet hardware as part of refinishing a door, you’ll be able to choose different styles than what was on the door before. Just put some wood putty in the old screw holes while you finish, sand and stain them along with the rest of the door. You now have a clean slate to work on. You can choose a single knob that screws through the door or arched drawer-style handles that will add a little more beauty to the door.

If you have custom-built cabinets, you may have pull-out drawers. Anytime you’re taking this out for a revamp, it’s a good time to check the rails and rollers inside the cabinet. If they are worn or do not move in a straight line, go ahead and replace them.

The final area to look at is the latching mechanism. Normally this is the magnetic latch that holds the door in place. Chances are your old hardware will work just fine, but if you had doors that wouldn’t close, now is the time to replace these parts. The closing mechanism consists of a small metal plate attached to the door and the magnet mounted inside the frame. Just buy some new ones if you need them. They are the last piece of hardware you will put on the door once it is hung and swinging properly. Luckily, it’s also the easiest part to fit and adjust.

Now that you know what hardware to buy, just make a list of everything you need and head to the home store. How to install cabinet hardware starts with the basics of knowing what to replace. All you need are the new hinges, handles or knobs, and replacement rollers and latches. In no time you’ll have a remodeled kitchen that looks like new for much, much less than if you tackled a full cabinet replacement project.