How to choose kitchen handles
Why kitchen handles matter more than you think.
Kitchen Handles Choices
They are not cheap; they require drilling into your new cabinetry, and once the holes are made… there is generally no going back. And yet, often the handle placement, style, etc., is left to the very end of the renovation.
There are many decisions to be made when choosing your kitchen handle.
Style - Traditional or modern? Knobs or handles? Cup pull? T-bars?
Function - Are they comfortable and easy to grip?
Clean ability - Will they be easy to clean? Will they collect grime?
Size - What length or size will work best?
Longevity - Will they date quickly, or will the handle finish last?
Budget - How much should you spend on handles?
Colour/Finish - What colour should you use? Which finish is better?
Placement- Where should you place them on the cabinetry?
It can start to feel overwhelming with all the decisions. Below, I have answered some of the most common questions I get asked about handles.
Handles or Knobs - Which is better?
Either is good, and they work beautifully for their purpose or use a combination of both. Some considerations are below for both choices;
Kitchen cabinetry with knobs.
Kitchen with D-Pull handles
Knobs
They can look a bit softer than other handles.
Can feel a little more traditional
Often cost effective
Not ideal for heavy or wider drawers
Pull Handles
Easier to grip
Can be more modern or traditional
Wide selection of sizes and styles
Great for wide drawers
TIP - Make sure you get the right handle size, regardless of the type, or it can feel out of proportion to the cabinetry.
What size handles should you choose?
One of the most common questions my clients will ask me is this one.
Firstly, the proportion of the handle matters more than millimetres. A small cabinetry knob or short handle on a wide drawer can make cabinetry feel unbalanced and under designed.
As a general guide:
Drawers 600mm wide or less - single centred knob or pull
Drawers 900mm - one longer pull or two medium pulls.
Tall pantry doors - slightly longer vertical pull
Tip: A pull handle should be roughly one-third the width of the drawer front.
But visual balance across the entire kitchen always matters more than strict formulas.
Should kitchen handles match your tapware?
They don't need to match exactly, but they should complement each other.
For example:
If your tapware is brushed nickel, your handles don't need to be the same colour, but they should match the undertone of the tapware. Consistency in undertones across tapware, lighting, handles and appliances creates a considered cohesive look.
Kitchen with cup pull handles & knobs
What style of handles should I use?
Traditional cabinetry looks great with a more detailed handle or decorative knob, for example, cup pull handles, or a handle with a decorative back plate.
Modern cabinetry works well with simple or geometric handles or a cabinetry knob. Think clean lines on handles or knobs.
When in doubt, look for repeated shapes or finishes in your kitchen. Echoing curves and the use of colour from your tapware, joinery, or lighting will help create a subtle balance.
Where should handles be placed?
Placement is often overlooked but is one of the most important decisions. The alignment matters visually; you don't want them too high or too low on the cabinetry panel.
Knobs
On door cabinetry, knobs are placed opposite the hinge and are;
On lower cabinetry doors, they are placed around 50 -70cm from the top corner of the door.
On wall cabinetry doors, they are placed around 50-70cm from the bottom corner of the door.
On drawer fronts that are up to 600mm wide, a cabinet knob is usually placed in the middle of the cabinet panel.
Handles
On door cabinetry, typically pull handles are;
Installed vertically
On upper cabinetry doors, the base of the handle is placed 50-70 from the bottom of the cabinet door.
On lower cabinetry doors, the top of the handle is placed around 50-70 cm from the top of the cabinet door.
On drawer cabinetry
On a 600mm-wide or less drawer front, a pull handle is centred horizontally.
And vertically centred, or slightly higher in the top third, for a more refined look.
My final thoughts on kitchen handles.
Kitchen with simple brass handles and knobs
Handles are the jewellery in your kitchen. They can elevate your cabinetry or quietly undermine it. Once the hole is made, you are committed to the placement and size.
If you are choosing your handles yourself, make sure you order a sample and blue-tack it to your cabinetry.
Stand back and look at it from across the room.
Check the proportions of your cabinetry.
And most importantly, don't leave the decision to the last minute.
Rushed decisions at the end of your project always look just that...rushed.
Still feel like you need help? Contact me, and I will soon launch a Design Clarity Consultation Service where you can ask questions and get some design clarity. The aim of this service is allow you move ahead with your renovation confidently.