Replacing cabinet handles is one of the quickest and most satisfying furniture upgrades you can make. New hardware can completely transform the look of a piece — but only if the new handles fit the existing holes. If they don't, you're up for filling, sanding and repainting, which turns a 20-minute job into a half-day project.
Here's how to replace cabinet handles without filling holes — and what to do if you can't find an exact match.
The Key Measurement: Centre-to-Centre
The most important measurement when replacing bar handles is the centre-to-centre distance — the distance between the centres of the two screw holes. This is the measurement you need to match when buying new handles.
Standard centre-to-centre spacings in Australia are:
- 96mm
- 128mm
- 160mm
- 192mm
- 224mm
- 256mm
Measure your existing holes before ordering. Use a tape measure from the centre of one hole to the centre of the other. If your measurement falls on one of these standard spacings, you'll have no trouble finding replacement handles that fit without any drilling.
For a full guide to measuring: How to Measure Cabinet Handles: A Simple Guide
Replacing Knobs
Knobs are even simpler — they attach with a single screw through a single hole. As long as the new knob uses a standard screw size (M4 is the most common), it will fit the existing hole. No measuring required beyond checking the screw size.
What If the New Handles Don't Match the Existing Holes?
If you've fallen in love with a handle that has a different centre-to-centre spacing from your existing holes, you have a few options:
Option 1: Choose a Handle with Adjustable Spacing
Some handles are designed with slotted holes rather than fixed holes, allowing them to fit a range of spacings. Worth looking for if you need flexibility.
Option 2: Use a Backplate
A decorative backplate sits between the handle and the drawer front, covering the existing holes. This lets you use a handle with a different spacing while hiding the old holes. Backplates also add a decorative element that can elevate the look of the piece.
Option 3: Fill and Redrill
Fill the existing holes with wood filler, sand smooth, touch up the paint, and drill new holes for the new handles. More work, but it gives you complete freedom in handle choice. If you're painting the piece anyway, this is the time to do it — fill the holes before painting so the touch-up is invisible.
Step-by-Step: Replacing Handles Without Filling
- Measure the centre-to-centre distance of your existing holes
- Choose new handles with the same centre-to-centre spacing
- Remove the old handles (usually a single screw from inside the drawer)
- Position the new handle over the existing holes
- Insert the new screws from inside the drawer and tighten
- Check the handle is straight before fully tightening
That's it. On a piece with 6 drawers, you can replace all the handles in under 30 minutes.
Choosing New Hardware
If you're replacing handles as part of a furniture makeover, this is the moment to think carefully about the hardware choice. The right handles can completely change the style of a piece — and the wrong ones can undermine even the most beautiful paint job.
Our full guide to choosing hardware: Cabinet Hardware Australia: The Complete Buying Guide
Browse our hardware range — all listed with centre-to-centre measurements: Shop Cabinet Hardware at Sweet Pea Interiors →
A Note on Handle Quality
It's worth investing in quality hardware. Cheap handles feel flimsy, the finish wears quickly, and they can make an otherwise beautiful piece look budget. Solid brass, quality timber and well-made metal handles feel substantial and last for years. How new handles can transform a piece of furniture for under $50 →
