The Easy Way To DIY Cabinet Knobs That Look So High End (But Are Way More Affordable)

When you see beautiful cabinetry, sometimes it's not just the woodwork or the stain that makes it gorgeous — it's also the hardware. Nice-looking cabinet knobs can instantly elevate the appearance of cabinets, giving them a fresh, polished look. Whether sleek and modern or vintage and ornate, the right hardware acts as critical jewelry, tying the overall design together while reflecting your style and adding character to the most basic pieces. If you've got furniture or a set of cabinets with unappealing knobs, upgrading them with something better looking is an easy and often affordable solution that can make a huge impact. Backplate knobs are a popular choice for high-end cabinetry, but the price tag for this style tends to run higher than for others. There is a way, though, to create faux brass backplate knobs using wood trim, sandpaper, metallic spray paint, and some inexpensive knobs.

Knobs for this clever cabinet upgrade tip can be found for less than $1 a piece, and a trim board long enough to make several knob backings, such as this RELIABILT Unfinished Pine Moulding at Lowe's, is just $8. The brass-colored metallic spray paint you'll need, like Rust-Oleum Metallic Spray Paint, is under $15. If you make each plate 6 inches long, you will be spending under $3 for each plated knob. That's not bad, considering some of these styles can sell for over $30 a piece. This DIY is not only affordable but also super easy, and there are so many ways to customize it.

Before using this hack to get a luxe metal look on a budget, you need to decide on the backplate size you want and the knobs that will go well with them. For a modest, classic upgrade, you might choose to make your backplates just a few inches long and pair them with small knobs. If you want to make a bold statement with large backplates and knobs, you will need to cut longer strips of trim. Also, if you are replacing pulls that are secured with multiple screws, you will probably want to cover or use the existing holes. So, the size of your backplates will need to be large enough to do that.

When you've got your knobs picked out and decided on the size of your backplates, use a saw to cut them to size. Then, lightly sand your trim pieces with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface. Next, spray the trim and the tops of the screws that came with your knobs with your metallic spray paint. If the color of your spray paint doesn't match your knobs exactly, you will need to make sure you have a product that adheres to metal before painting the knobs to match. Finally, attach your stylish new plated knobs to your cabinets, and enjoy the high-end look.

This DIY makes for a great money-saving cabinet upgrade as-is, but there are also a lot of different ways you can make it your own. One easy option to modify it is to use a solid color spray paint instead of metallic. Using black spray paint would be a good choice for homes with modern decor. If you have a lot of red decor items throughout your living space, red backplates and knobs might look nice. It's also possible to add an element of interest to your solid-colored cabinet knobs by lightly sanding them after painting to create a slightly weathered look. Using chalk paint for this project and following it up with some chalk wax is another way to give your plates rustic charm.

Although this is already an inexpensive project, there are ways to save even more money while still achieving a beautiful set of cabinet knobs. Instead of purchasing the knobs new, you could buy them at a thrift store or yard sale. Clean and spray-paint them just as you would the new ones. If you have any wooden pallets or old lumber and the tools to rip them into strips, you could skip buying the trim as well. Having elegant-looking cabinet knobs that are not only handmade but also upcycled will add an even more unique and interesting touch to your home.