Cabinet and drawer lock installation in Atlanta

Which cabinets actually need locks

You do not need to lock every cabinet in the house. The cabinets that matter are the ones that contain real hazards: cleaning products, medications, sharp objects, heavy things that could fall, and anything a toddler could swallow or break. Before we install a single lock, we walk your kitchen, bathrooms, and utility rooms and flag the specific cabinets a child can reach. Everything else stays alone.

A typical Atlanta family ends up locking between six and twelve cabinets and drawers. The usual suspects are the under-sink cabinet in the kitchen, any drawer with knives or scissors, the cabinet with cleaning supplies, the bathroom vanity with medications and razors, and the laundry closet with detergent pods and bleach.

Magnetic, slide, adhesive, knob cover: which goes where

There is no single "best" cabinet lock. The right choice depends on the cabinet type, the aesthetic you want, and whether you own or rent the home.

• Magnetic locks install on the inside of the cabinet and leave no visible hardware. A magnetic key opens them from the outside. Great for kitchens where you want cabinets to look normal. Requires small pilot holes inside the cabinet.
• Slide locks loop around two cabinet handles or knobs. Fast to use, easy to remove. Best for upper cabinets and pantries where speed matters.
• Adhesive strap latches stick directly to the cabinet face and require no drilling. Perfect for renters and anyone avoiding damage. The adhesive holds strong on clean wood and laminate.
• Knob covers slip over round door knobs so small hands cannot grip them. Useful for closets and the doors between rooms, not for cabinets with modern pulls.
• Appliance locks keep the dishwasher, oven, and fridge closed. Often overlooked, but dishwasher detergent pods and fridge contents are common toddler hazards.

Renting in Atlanta: solutions that do not break your lease

A large share of Atlanta households, especially in Virginia-Highland, Decatur, and intown high-rise condos, are renters. Adhesive cabinet locks were designed for exactly this situation. They hold up to an adult pull, they do not require drilling, and they peel off cleanly at move-out with a hair dryer to warm the adhesive. We have installed these in hundreds of rentals with no deposit issues for the families.

If your landlord allows small screw holes (many do under a safety clause), magnetic locks are a better long-term option because they are invisible and more durable. Check your lease or ask your property manager. We can install either type and swap if the situation changes.

The kitchen is usually the priority

When a family calls us for just one service, it is almost always cabinet locks in the kitchen. The kitchen has the highest density of hazards in any home: chemicals under the sink, knives in a drawer, a hot oven, heavy cookware, and usually an appliance or two a toddler can climb. Locking the right cabinets and drawers takes most of that risk off the table.

Cabinet locks work best alongside a gate at the kitchen entrance for the months before your child can be trusted to stay out of drawers, and anchoring for any free-standing pantry or heavy piece that could tip. For a full walkthrough of every hazard in your home, see our full home childproofing package.