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elizabeth_crabtree41

HELP with installing recessed cabinet pulls.

So I have a dilemma with a tricky base cabinet situation in a newly remodeled small kitchen. The problem is that I must use a recessed cabinet pull because of the tight clearance when opening the oven door that has a large handle. Any pull that would project out from the cabinet would cause an issue when opening the oven.

I have purchased several different recessed pulls (this is for a small 9” wide cabinet). Top drawer and a cabinet door.

None of those I purchased came with any instructions on how to actually install them. I understand that I’ll need to cut into the cabinet edges but I’m so afraid to make a mistake and ruin the cabinet doors! I’ve searched YouTube and other websites and still don’t feel really confident about doing this.

Been doing a DIY remodel with my brother and we’re just about done, but trying to solve for this cabinet situation.

Any advice?

Comments (17)

  • 4 years ago

    PS. I posted a picture of the cabinet and stove and what the other cabinet hardware looks like. Then, the recessed white pull I want to install on the drawer and the door. I couldn’t find one in the soft brass color to match the other cabinet so just got the white ones.

  • 4 years ago

    touch latch hardware would not require any cutting or drilling into door/drawer panels.

  • 4 years ago

    Can you explain "touch latch hardware"? thanks!!

  • 4 years ago

    A lot of the finger pulls appear to protrude pretty far out from the edge of the cabinet, which would cause the same problem. If I could find some that don’t protrude out much they could work.

  • 4 years ago

    A touch latch could work for the door but don’t think it would work well for the drawer

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Get a push system that requires no pull

  • 4 years ago

    Push latch, mounted on side. Quick search this is the only video I found that shows mounting for a drawer

    push latch.


  • PRO
    4 years ago

    I would try to find a simple round pull - recessed


    Or even a nice grommet and do a hole through the door.

    It's such a shame your designer or installer messed this up - all you needed was a proper filler on the right of the stove.

    Good luck!

  • 4 years ago

    I love recessed pulls but I don't think it's the right look for those shaker cabinets. Besides, you won't get a do-over if you cut into the cabinet wrong.

    The push-to-open latch sounds like a much better idea. Ask a cabinet store if your drawers could be retrofitted for that. It might involve putting in new drawer runners, which is sometimes not such an easy task -- but still less risky than cutting giant holes into the cabinet faces.

  • 4 years ago

    Push to open latch...and have them installed by your local cabinet maker - it's money well spent.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    The tab pull that someone posted earlier will work for the drawer since that will be at the top.

    Then you don't have to worry about the drawer so much.

  • 4 years ago

    Definitely use a push to latch!

  • 4 years ago

    Thanks all. I will look into a finger pull for the drawer and see if that will work. Maybe the push latch for the door is the best option. I really don’t want to cut into the cabinet fronts.

    And yes, this was an install error that wasn’t realized until it was too late (counters installed). It’s always something!

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    are all of the drawer (and door) fronts missized like this one??

    The stiles/rails are so thick! what happened?


    It should look like this







  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Beth H, that was the first thing that caught my eye too. Even if the OP had clearance in front of the oven for a pull, the drawer design would make it impossible to use a pull, or knob, without scraping your knuckles.

  • 4 years ago

    Otho g missing. That’s just the style of these cabinets and perhaps my camera angle just enhances the fact that it is a narrow 9” cabinet.