Backplates

Backplates that sit between hardware and cabinet

Backplates are decorative metal plates installed between a knob or pull and the cabinet face. They serve two distinct purposes. One is covering existing screw holes; the other is adding ornamental weight to a plain cabinet door. The plate sits flush against the door with the hardware mounted through it, so the visual stack reads cabinet, then backplate, then knob or pull from inside to outside.

When a backplate earns its place

The functional case is replacing hardware where the existing drill pattern doesn't match the new pulls. A larger backplate hides the original holes, lets the new hardware mount where it needs to, and avoids the work of patching and refinishing the cabinet. The aesthetic case is harder to justify. A backplate on a perfectly drilled new cabinet only earns its place if the cabinet door is too plain for the hardware alone to carry the design. Period-style and formal traditional kitchens use backplates more often than casual kitchens.

Pairing backplate shape to hardware

Rectangular backplates fit pulls and bar hardware; round and oval backplates fit knobs. The plate should be sized large enough to cover whatever existing damage it needs to hide but not so large that it overwhelms the door. Match the finish exactly: a backplate and pull from the same brand line will usually match. Mixing brands risks finish drift even when both pieces are labeled the same color name on their packaging.

What to browse next

For backplates sized to standalone pulls, see pull backplates. For knob-sized plates, see knob backplates. Many brands sell their hardware with matching backplate options listed alongside. Ordering pull and backplate together from one manufacturer is the most reliable way to avoid finish drift between the two pieces.