When it’s time to update your cabinets, it can be tricky choosing cabinet hardware that’s right for you. Do you go for handles, pulls, or knobs? Classic or modern? Choices abound; it can be overwhelming. A viable alternative is to make your own. This cost-effective hack creates sleek door pulls, and it’s easy to do yourself. While not a traditional use for cove molding, it is possible to use it as cabinet hardware with a little ingenuity. Buy a length of cove trim from your local home center, cut the piece to size, and attach it to your cabinet door with the cove facing in. The backward-facing trim creates a contemporary handle as your fingers find the smooth, hidden cove.

A piece of cove molding trim is basically a 3/4-inch by 3/4-inch square length of lumber with a cove routed out of one corner. On the opposite side, a 90-degree corner usually sits flush against two surfaces. The side that shows when the piece is installed is the cove with two tiny flats. These flats typically butt against other pieces when combining multiple moldings to smooth a wall-to-ceiling transitions or to cap shelves and mantles. That is until now.

Using cove molding as cabinet hardware blends seamlessly with the door’s design and doesn’t look like an afterthought. It’s subtle, integrated, and adds a unique touch of elegance. The curve provides a natural space for the hand to grasp, creating a comfortable grip. Finally, its smooth surface is easy to wipe clean.

Select a piece of cove molding wide enough to provide a comfortable grip but not so wide that it obstructs the door’s operation. You can pick up an 8-foot length of cove molding for less than $10. Be sure to buy enough material to yield handles for all the doors you intend to update. Measure out the length and make a mark. Choose your cutting tool for trim, and crosscut the molding to your desired length. Try temporarily tacking your pull in place to ensure it’s a look you like.

Run a bead of strong adhesive along one of the flats on the cove trim’s front. Know when and how to use wood glue for the best results. You’ll need a screw long enough to get through your cabinet door with plenty of bite into your trim without breaking through the other side or straying into the cove. Consider drilling pilot holes, making sure to choose the right drill bit for your project first. If you’re mounting your cove hardware on a finished door, use screws only, as glue won’t adhere well to finished surfaces.

Once in place, trim the ends of the cove molding as needed to match the door frame or casing. Ease the edges using sandpaper to ensure a comfortable grip with no sharp corners. Apply your finish of choice. While its original intention is for cabinets, this hardware hack could work just as well to provide a stylish update to a closet or a drawer face.