Set It and Forget It: Small Spikes Help Keep Knobs in Place

Looking to elevate your space? Often an afterthought, cabinet hardware can be that small weekend DIY update that creates big style on a budget. Consider personalizing your cabinets or furniture with different shapes of knobs, such as square, rectangular, or oblong; or add knobs that have stylish decorative details.

With regular use, it’s common for typical cabinet knobs to loosen over time and rotate out of the desired orientation. Not only an annoyance, this hassle can become a constant frustration that quickly turns a space sideways.

If you’re considering updating your cabinets or furniture with new knobs, you want to continue to love your space long after installation. Yet, your love for the finished piece can quickly fade if the cabinet hardware doesn’t work as intended and knob rotate out of place.

 Think beyond the round knob … without the frustration.


Say goodbye to the hassle of rotating knobs. Cue Amerock’s solution: Small installation spike(s) on the back help keep knobs in the desired orientation.

When the knob is installed, the spike(s) on the back of the knob press into the surface of the cabinet or furniture to create a small indentation. This helps secure the knob to the drawer or door for stay-put placement from day one.

A beautiful space starts with the right options.


Your hardware is an expression of your personal style and the final detail to complete your project. With such a wide variety of cabinet door, drawer, or furniture sizes, it’s important to have options. Placing a knob on that pantry door or armoire? A longer, rectangular knob may be the perfect way to accent these large doors or drawers. What about that pull-out spice rack?  A T-knob could be the perfect shape for this small, skinny cabinet.

With this in mind, Amerock offers a wide variety of cabinet knobs, many with the added benefit of knob spike(s) for stay-put placement. Here are just a few of Amerock’s knobs that feature knob spike(s):

1. T-knobs from the following collections: Bronx, Carrione, Esquire, Everett, London, Riva, and St. Vincent
   
   
2. Square or rectangular knobs from the following collections: Abernathy, Candler, Carrigan, Conrad, Davenport, Everett, Highland Ridge, Monument, Mulholland, Mulino, Overton, Revitalize, and Westerly
   
   
3. Knobs with non-symmetrical shapes from the following collections: Caliber and Grace Revitalize
   
   
4. Round knobs with specific design details from the following collections: Everett, Oberon, and Riva
   
   

… just to name a few!

Installing knobs with spikes? Here is some important advice.


When installing a knob that has a knob spike, be sure to hold the knob in the desired position while tightening the mounting screw. It’s important to hold the knob in place until the mounting screw is fully tightened, and the knob is secured flush to the cabinet surface. This will prevent the knob – and the knob spike(s) – from spinning and scratching the cabinet surface during installation.

One thing to consider: If you decide to replace your cabinet hardware in the future, the knob spike(s) will leave behind small holes on the surface of the cabinet or furniture. Here are a few ways you can hide the hole:

1. You can fill it with a minor touch-up.
   
   
2. Switch to a knob with a wider foot (larger base width).
   
   
3. On doors, consider switching to pulls with wider feet (larger base width).
   
   
4. On drawers, consider converting to cup pulls.
   
   

Starting from scratch? Tips to ensure the right knob placement.

Installing new knobs on cabinets or furniture that did not previously have hardware? Here are a few tips to help you determine the perfect knob placement on doors or drawers.

• Placement on drawers: Typically, knobs are centered on drawers, however, for oversized drawers more than 18in wide, use two knobs, placing each knob 1/3 distance from the edge of the drawer.

• Placement on doors: Center the knob on the stile and align the knob’s base with the edge of the rail.
  
  

To ensure consistent knob placement across all your cabinet doors and drawers, Amerock offers an installation template.  Keep in mind, although a template simplifies the process, it’s important to double-check placement before drilling.

Consider these options for using knobs in your space.

If you’re installing new cabinet hardware in your kitchen, bathroom, or other alternative spaces, you can use knobs everywhere, or consider mixing it up with a variety of knobs and pulls. Here are a few ideas to get you started.


Using knobs in the kitchen.

Option 1: Use knobs on all cabinets.

Option 2: Use knobs on drawers and pulls on doors.

Option 3: Use pulls on upper cabinets and knobs on lower cabinets

Option 4: Use knobs on upper cabinets and pulls on lower cabinets.


Using knobs in the bathroom.

Option 1: Use knobs on all cabinets.

Option 2: Use knobs on drawers and pulls on doors.

Option 3: Use knobs on door and pulls on drawers.

Faux drawer fronts: Hardware or no hardware?


Often found in front of a sink, faux drawer fronts fill an otherwise blank space to provide a complete, cohesive look for the cabinets. However, since the faux drawer fronts don’t function and cabinet hardware could get in your way while using the sink, we don’t recommend installing cabinet hardware on them.

For added functionality, though, consider installing a tip-out tray kit to convert the faux drawer front into a tilting ‘drawer.’ In this case, we do recommend installing cabinet hardware on the front of the tip-out tray for easy opening and closing.

Small change. Big impact.

With so many different options for shapes and designs, updating to new knobs can wake up your cabinets or elevate that old furniture piece. Knowing your hardware is an extension of your personal style, Amerock offers a variety of knobs with a knob spike for stay-put placement, as well as tools and expert tips to ensure the right knob placement, so you’ll continue to love your space long after updating it.