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How to customise drawer handles

A white chest of drawers with handles customised with the letter H, in a blue themed bedroom setting

Overview

Who knew a small thing like customised cupboard handles could have such a big impact? Give your child's room a personalised update with this easy D.I.Y. hack – it takes no time at all and your kids will love it!

Steps

1Gather your tools and materials

Below are all of the tools and materials you'll need to complete this project.

2Pick out your new handle

Maybe you're changing the handles on a bedside table or cupboard? Or perhaps you're customising a toybox? Before you get going, choose which handles you'd like to replace with – we have a great range in-store, with lots of options to choose from.

3Rough it up

Before you get painting and decorating, give your new handle a going-over with a sanding block or some sandpaper – you'll know it's ready when the finish becomes nice and dull. This is an important step as it allows your primer and paint to stick properly.

The surface of a wooden drawer handle being sanded down with sandpaper wrapped around a scrap piece of wood

4Prime your drawer knobs

Once you've sanded and cleaned away the dust with a microfiber cloth, you're ready for your first coat of primer. Grab a dust mask and place your knob on a dustsheet, or piece of paper. Give the handle a coating of the primer, spraying 20cm away from the surface in nice, even strokes.

A wooden drawer handle being spray-painted with a basecoat of white

5Paint your letters

While you're waiting for your primer to dry (this shouldn't take too long), paint the letters you've chosen to place on top. We're using wooden letters. 

A wooden letter H being painted black with a paintbrush

6Paint the handle

Once your primer is dry, you're ready to paint your handle – we're using a Dulux colour we purchased in a sample pot. 

A square toggle being painted pale blue by a Bunnings team member with a paintbrush

7Stick your letter on the handle

Once the paint on your handle is dry, you're ready to stick on your letter. You can use superglue or liquid nails for this, but remember to be careful – this stuff is permanent! Apply the glue to the back of your letter then place firmly onto the handle, positioning in the centre. You can customise, using any colour or letter combinations you like.

A completed customised drawer handle painted blue, with a black letter H on the face

8Screw the knob back in

Using a screwdriver, screw your handle back into the pre-existing holes in your cupboard or drawer. If you're changing the handles, we have another ‘How To' for that – check it out!

A white chest of drawers with handles customised with the letter H, in a blue themed bedroom setting

9Good to go

How easy was that? Customised knobs can often be expensive, but we did this whole on a tight budget. Bargain!

A white chest of drawers with handles customised with the letter H, in a blue themed bedroom setting

10Watch more from the series

For more simple D.I.Y. inspiration check out the full episode from Make It Yours Kids Bedroom Makeover by Poppy-lee.

Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.