How to Make DIY Leather Handles and Drawer Pulls

If you’re new around here, you might not know that we have been tackling our game room for the Fall 2019 One Room Challenge. It started with a big pool table transformation and now we’re moving onto the bar.

The bar is going to be a big project, complete with a custom countertop and wine rack. I’m excited to get started, but also a tad bit intimidated by the whole thing. But rather than stand paralyzed with fear, I decided to tackle the smallest piece first: the leather handles!

So let’s start DIYing.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you a penny more)!

Tools

• Scissors and paper trimmer or rotary cutter
• Rotary hole punch
• Drill (to install the handles)

How to make DIY leather handles and drawer pulls

New to DIY? Download our free 5 Steps to Getting Start with DIY guide!

If you are a more visual learner, head over to our Instagram (@craftedbythehunts) and check out my story highlights for a visual tutorial.

If you want to spray paint your screw posts a different color (we chose antique gold), spray paint them before you start. That way they will be dry when you are ready for them.

Step 1: cut your leather

Cut off the bottom and top edges of your leather to remove the rounded corners. We first ran the leather (soft side facing down) through our paper trimmer. This resulted in a perfectly straight “scoring” line that we could use as a guide to cut with scissors. Unfortunately, the leather is too thick to use the paper trimmer to cut all the way through.

Cut your leather into 4 equal pieces. We measured it out using the ruler on our paper trimmer and marked both the top and the bottom. We then lined up the top and bottom lines on the paper trimmer to make sure it was straight.

Step 2: glue your leather

Take two pieces of leather and glue the soft sides together. Try your best to line them up side to side, but you don’t need to worry about lining up the top and bottoms exactly. We will make the pieces shorter after the glue dries.

STEP 3: cut to the right length

Mark the length that you would like your leather handle to be. We measured it using a spare kitchen handle and adding about 1/2″ on either side so that the handle can have a gap for your hand. Ours ended up being about 6.5″.

Cut your leather handles down to size.

Step 4: add screw posts

Using your rotary hole punch, punch a hole on either end of your leather strap. Use the largest hole punch setting.

Put a screw post into each hole.

Step 5: install your handles

Time to attach your DIY leather handles to their cabinet or drawer front! Start by determining the distance you will want from screw post to screw post. We ended up with 5.5″.

For a drawer, start by marking the center of the drawer. Measure 1/2 of the distance you want between your screw posts and mark either side of your center mark. Drill a space for both of you screw posts and insert them into the drawer front. Screw the screw post in from the back.

For a cabinet, determine where you want the top of your handle to be. We wanted it to be aligned with the trim detail. Mark where you want the top to be and then measure (5.5″) down. Drill and screw in your screw post.

Easy peasy, right?? And how cool is it to be able to say that you created your own DIY leather handles and drawer pulls! I can’t wait to see yours! Please send us pictures on Instagram (@craftedbythehunts)–there’s nothing we love more than cheering you on and seeing your projects!

Can’t work on this project now? Pin it for later!