How To Hide Screws In Vintage Drawer Pulls

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Desks and dressers are some of the most sought-after antique home items by vintage lovers and flea market thrifters. These attention-grabbing pieces can be used for everything from housing accessories, clothes, and trinkets to storing your knitting supplies or random kitchen gadgets. However, buying such treasured antique items often means accepting some slight imperfections. But what do you do when you come across a drawer handle (aka "pull") that leaves the heads of its attached screws exposed? Don't fret. There is a solution, and its screw cap covers. So if your drawer handles are giving more "junkyard find" than "rustic redemption piece," you can add this hack to your repertoire.

Sometimes you have to sort of edit your vintage furniture to blend in with your decor. So whereas visible screws on a drawer may not have been a big deal 80 years ago, it can be a bit of an eyesore today if it doesn't look intentional — it just ruins the whole vintage aesthetic. To remedy this, you can purchase covers, like DGBRSM Brass Decorative Screws with Caps, to give those screws a smooth makeover.

You can find screw caps in different colors, including black and stainless steel, and they're very affordable, ranging anywhere from $8 to $12 a pack. And if you can't find your preferred type online, you can always check out nearby hardware stores. The caps are also fairly easy to install, requiring only a screwdriver or a drill. The before and after transformation of your vintage piece may shock you, and this is a simple, creative fix that's definitely worthy of any vintage decor guide.

Be sure to know the appropriate screw size for your drawer pulls before purchasing any screw caps. Screw size is typically given in millimeters or inches. Many of these drawers and desks will only need small to medium-sized, light-duty screws. In some cases, you can buy the caps separately, but many will come with corresponding screws and washers, which can make things easier. Installation of these caps is pretty straightforward. You'll start by placing a washer (if they're included) over your screw and then insert the screw through your drawer pull. Next, fasten the pull onto your drawer with your screwdriver or drill. 

Afterward, take your screw caps and place them on top of the screw head, turning them to the right to tighten them in place. Note that some screw caps won't have threading for twisting them in place, but will instead come with a press-fit design or an adhesive backing for quick installation. In that case, ensure that the screw is clean and free from grease or dirt, as this can affect adhesion. 

When shopping for screw caps, it's best to choose a material and color that is cohesive with the look of your vintage piece. So even though you can find tons of plastic or wood-based screw caps, often it's the metal caps that tend to work best as add-ons to vintage furniture drawers, especially if the handle is made of metal. Something like Metany Decorative Copper Cap Covers or Taicanon Stainless Steel Screw Cover Caps will work.