K1. Overwhelmed by Hardware Finishes? A Simple Guide to Picking What Works
Lessons from a decade of remodeling homes across Western Washington
The Saturday Morning Call That Changed Everything
“Can you come look at my kitchen? I think I’ve made a terrible mistake.”
It was 8 AM on a rainy Saturday when my phone rang. Sarah from Olympia was on the line, and she sounded close to tears. She’d spent the previous day installing new cabinet hardware—a project she’d been excited about for weeks. The result? Seven cabinets with mismatched holes, two handles that didn’t line up, and a drawer pull mounted so crooked it looked like modern art.
“I watched three YouTube videos,” she told me when our team arrived. “I measured everything. Well, I thought I measured everything.”
Here’s what Sarah missed: hole spacing.
Her new 96mm handles didn’t match her existing 3-inch holes. That tiny difference—less than three-quarters of an inch—had turned her weekend DIY project into a repair job.
Over the past decade, Mobile Up has helped nearly 200 families across Washington create beautiful homes. We’ve seen this exact scenario play out in kitchens from Federal Way to Tacoma, from Kirkland to Kelso. And it’s why we’re sharing this guide today.
What Nobody Tells You About Cabinet Hardware
Here’s the truth: Cabinet hardware looks simple, but it’s deceptively tricky.
Those two little screw holes in your cabinet doors have a very specific measurement between them. It’s called center-to-center spacing—the distance from the middle of one screw hole to the middle of the other.
And here’s the kicker: There’s no universal standard.
Common Hole Spacing You’ll Find in Washington Homes:
- 3 inches (76mm): Common in older homes, especially around Olympia and Tumwater
- 3.75 inches (96mm): Standard in many newer constructions and mobile homes
- 4 inches (102mm): Often found on larger drawers
- 5 inches (128mm): Used for specialty pulls and extra-wide drawers
I remember walking into a charming fixer-upper in Duvall last year. The homeowner had collected beautiful vintage brass pulls from estate sales across King County. Gorgeous pieces. But every single one had different hole spacing. We spent an afternoon measuring, sorting, and creating a plan.
The moral? Measure first, fall in love with hardware second.
The Story of Two Homeowners
Jennifer in Renton: The Prepared One
Jennifer called us before she ordered anything. “I measured my cabinets,” she said, “but I want to be sure.”
Our team member drove to her Renton home, double-checked her measurements (spot on), and confirmed that the 96mm handles she wanted would fit perfectly.
She installed them herself over a weekend. When she sent us photos, her kitchen looked like a magazine spread.
Marcus in Federal Way: The One Who Learned the Hard Way
Marcus didn’t call first. He found beautiful matte black handles online—”one size fits most cabinets,” the listing claimed.
Spoiler: They didn’t fit his cabinets.
When we arrived, Marcus had already drilled six new holes, created three that didn’t line up, and was holding a handle that covered exactly none of his mistakes.
“We can fix this,” our team told him. And we did. Two hours of wood filler, sanding, touch-up paint, and precise drilling later, his kitchen was transformed.
Marcus’s words as we packed up: “I wish I’d called you guys first. Would have saved me a lot of stress.”
How to Measure Hole Spacing: A Step-by-Step Guide
Whether you’re in a mobile home in Lacey or a craftsman in Kirkland, the process is the same:
Step 1: Gather Your Tools
- A metal tape measure (the fabric ones stretch—don’t use them for this)
- A piece of paper and pencil
- Your phone camera
Step 2: Measure Existing Holes
- Open any cabinet door
- Place your tape measure from the center of one screw hole to the center of the other
- Write down that number immediately
- Take a photo with the tape measure visible
Step 3: Check Multiple Cabinets
Here’s something we learned working on a home in Auburn last month: Your kitchen might have multiple hole spacings.
Upper cabinets from one era. Lower from another. Drawers from a different manufacturer entirely. We’ve seen kitchens in Lakewood with three different standards.
Measure at least:
- Three different upper doors
- Three different lower doors
- Two different drawers
Step 4: Understand What You’re Buying
When shopping online or at stores in Tacoma or Olympia, look for:
- “Center-to-center spacing” — this is your number
- “3-inch hole spacing” — means exactly that
- “96mm hole spacing” — metric measurement (roughly 3.75 inches)
Pro tip from our team: If you’re shopping at thrift stores or estate sales in Des Moines or Federal Way, bring a small measuring tape. We can’t tell you how many vintage treasures we’ve found that needed exactly this approach.
What to Do When Your New Hardware Doesn’t Match
So you’ve measured, shopped, and still ended up with the wrong size. Don’t panic. You have options.
Option 1: Fill and Redrill (The Permanent Solution)
This is what we did for a sweet family in Kent last spring. We filled old holes with wood filler, sanded smooth, matched the stain, and drilled new holes.
Time needed: A few hours for a full kitchen
Cost: Under $20 in materials
Result: Looks factory-installed
Option 2: Use Backplates (The No-Drill Solution)
For renters in Des Moines or homeowners who don’t want permanent changes, decorative backplates mount over old holes and provide new ones.
Pros: No drilling, completely reversible
Cons: Adds visual bulk, costs extra
Option 3: Call Mobile Up (The Stress-Free Solution)
Sometimes the best option is to let experienced hands handle it. We serve homeowners across Washington—from Bellingham to Vancouver, from Seattle to Spokane.
What we offer:
- Free consultation to check your measurements
- Guidance on what to buy and where
- Professional installation if you get stuck
- Repair services if things go wrong
The Mobile Up Difference: We Build Better Together
Over the past decade, we’ve learned something important: Every homeowner’s journey is different.
Some of our clients want to DIY everything. They call us for advice, send photos for feedback, and handle the work themselves. We love those clients—they’re proof that with the right information, anyone can create a beautiful home.
Others want us to handle everything. They’re busy with work, family, or simply prefer professional results. We love those clients too—they trust us to transform their spaces while they focus on what matters most to them.
And then there are clients like Marcus. They start with enthusiasm, hit a roadblock, and call us for help. No judgment. No “I told you so.” Just skilled professionals who show up, fix the problem, and leave behind a beautiful kitchen and a relieved homeowner.
That’s the Mobile Up promise: We meet you where you are.
Whether you’re in a mobile home in Lacey preparing to sell, a fixer-upper in Tacoma ready for renovation, or a family in Kirkland who just wants their kitchen to feel like home again—we’re here to help.
Before You Drill: A Few More Tips from Our Team
After a decade in this business, here’s what else we want you to know:
Tape Your Drill Bit
Wrap painter’s tape around your drill bit at the exact depth of your screw. When the tape hits the wood, stop. This simple trick has saved countless cabinet doors across Washington.
Test One Cabinet First
Install a single knob or handle before doing the whole kitchen. Make sure you love the placement, the feel, and the look.
Keep Your Old Hardware
Bag up your removed hardware and label it. You never know when you might need it—for repairs, for matching, or for the next homeowner.
Take Photos Before You Start
Document everything. If something goes wrong, you’ll have a reference. If everything goes right, you’ll have amazing before-and-after photos.
The Bottom Line: DIY or Call a Pro?
Here’s the honest advice we give every client from Fife to Olympia:
DIY this project if:
- You have patience and basic tools
- You’re willing to measure carefully
- Your existing holes match your new hardware
- You enjoy the satisfaction of doing it yourself
Call Mobile Up if:
- You’re unsure about your measurements
- Your cabinets have existing damage
- You’re switching between different hole spacings
- You’ve already made mistakes and need help
- You simply want guaranteed, professional results
We’re Here When You Need Us
Remember Sarah from Olympia? The one who called us on that rainy Saturday morning?
Her kitchen is beautiful now. We filled the extra holes, installed her new handles perfectly, and watched her face light up when she saw the finished result.
“I’m so glad I called,” she told us. “You guys didn’t make me feel silly for trying. You just helped.”
That’s what we do at Mobile Up. We help.
Whether you’re in Bellevue with a brand new mobile home, in Kelso with a 1950s charmer, or anywhere in between, we’ve got your back.
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At Mobile Up, we’re all about helping you love your home again – one small fix at a time.
Let’s Build Something Better – Together!
