Flat-Pack to Fabulous: Upcycle Furniture with Stylish Handles

 

Upgrading your home décor doesn’t always require a pricey remodel. In fact, a simple swap of hardware can breathe new life into old furniture, making it look chic and custom. It’s a growing trend – 1 in 4 Brits upcycled at least one furniture item in the past year, driven by the appeal of unique style and eco-friendly reuse​

. One of the easiest ways to start your own upcycling project is by replacing handles or knobs on cabinets and drawers. This quick fix delivers an instant makeover without breaking the bank​

Why swap out your handles? Here are a few great reasons:

• Budget-Friendly Upgrade: Simply updating hardware is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to refresh a space​
  – no expensive new furniture or full renovation needed.
• Personalized Style: New handles act like “jewellery” for your furniture, letting you add a personal touch or follow the latest design trends in finishes and shapes.
• Eco-Conscious Choice: Upcycling existing pieces by adding new fittings reduces waste. You’ll extend the life of furniture instead of sending it to the landfill (good for the planet and your wallet).
• Quick and DIY-Friendly: No special skills required – in many cases, you just unscrew the old hardware and screw on the new. (For example, replacing a door handle can take as little as 30 minutes​, and swapping a cabinet knob is even faster!)

Ready to get inspired? Below we explore five clever ways to transform various pieces around your home using stylish new handles. From the kitchen to the bedroom, these upcycling ideas will help you fill the gaps in your décor and make your furniture look fabulous.

1. Upgrade Your Kitchen Cabinets in Minutes

Your kitchen is a prime candidate for a hardware makeover. Builders’ grade cabinet knobs or faded pulls can make the whole room feel dated. The good news is swapping cabinet handles is a quick DIY win that dramatically modernizes your kitchen’s look​

. Simply changing the handles on cabinet doors and drawers can refresh your kitchen without a full renovation​

. Consider also painting the cabinets if they’re worn – but even just new handles alone can elevate the style. For instance, you might:

• Go Sleek and Modern with Matte Black: Matte black handles and knobs are hugely popular for a contemporary vibe. They add bold contrast, especially on light coloured cabinets, and instantly signal modern elegance. As shown below, a set of simple black bar handles can make even plain cabinets look architectural and new.

A stylish, contemporary kitchen featuring matte black handles on the cabinets. Swapping dated hardware for sleek black handles gives a clean, modern edge to the space.​

• Embrace Warmth with Brass or Gold Tones: Brass hardware has made a big comeback in kitchens for its ability to add warmth and luxury. If your kitchen needs a touch of charm or a focal point, try unlacquered brass pulls or brushed gold knobs. They pair beautifully with neutral cabinets (white, navy, gray) and create a high-end look. In the image below, elegant brass handles turn a simple kitchen into a luxurious space with a hint of vintage glam.

A modern, luxurious kitchen with elegant brass handles on the cabinetry. The brass finish adds warmth and sophistication, proving how new handles can completely transform the ambiance of a kitchen.

Don’t forget to mix and match thoughtfully. You can use one style of handle on upper cabinets and another on lower drawers, or knobs on doors and pulls on drawers, to add visual interest – just keep the finish consistent for cohesion (for example, all black or all brass)​

. Once you’ve settled on a style, check out our Handles Collection

for kitchen handles in every finish and design. Upgrading your kitchen cabinetry with on-trend hardware is an easy weekend project that can make your kitchen feel brand new. (Tip: If you need guidance on installation, see our step-by-step guide on how to install drawer handles for a smooth swap.)

 

2. Revive a Tired Dresser or Sideboard with New Pulls

That old wooden dresser in the bedroom or the thrifted sideboard in your dining room might be solidly built, but perhaps it looks a bit drab. Give it a second life by changing out the drawer pulls! This is a favourite trick in upcycling because dressers and sideboards have multiple handles, so the impact is big. Start by removing the outdated knobs or handles – you can fill any old screw holes with wood filler if you plan to drill new hole positions. Then, consider these ideas when choosing replacements:

• Vintage Charm: For a shabby-chic or farmhouse feel, try ceramic or painted porcelain knobs, or antiqued brass handles. These add character and can make a basic piece look like a curated antique find.
• Modern Minimalist: If you prefer a cleaner look, simple bar pulls or tab handles in satin nickel or matte black can streamline an ornate dresser into a modern statement.
• Eclectic Pop: Don’t be afraid to mix knob designs on different drawers for an eclectic vibe – just stick to a common colour palette or finish so it still feels tied together. For example, you might use round crystal knobs on the top drawers and slender brass pulls on the larger drawers, unifying with a gold-toned finish throughout.

Before installing the new hardware, you can also repaint or refinish the furniture for an extra transformation. Many upcyclers paint old dressers in trendy colours (deep blue, sage green, etc.) and then add eye-catching handles as the “jewellery.” The result is a unique, custom piece. When positioning the new handles, measure carefully so they line up perfectly (most new pulls will cover the old handle marks, but make sure to center them for a professional look). This simple update will make your dresser or sideboard look like a high-end furniture piece. Your guests might even ask, “Where did you buy that?” after seeing its stylish new hardware. 😉

(Internal Tip: For a wide selection of [drawer handles]​

and decorative knobs, browse our site – we have options to suit every style and budget.)

3. Refresh Wardrobe Doors and Cabinets for a Bedroom Makeover

Wardrobes and closet doors are another excellent place to implement a handle upgrade. Often, fitted wardrobes come with plain knobs that do little for your bedroom’s style. By fitting new wardrobe handles (or adding handles if the doors previously had none), you can enhance both the look and the usability of your storage​

 

. Here’s how to refresh your wardrobes with ease:

• Choose the Right Handle Size: Tall wardrobe doors look great with longer bar handles or two knobs spaced vertically. Make sure the handle length or knob size is proportional to the door – oversized doors can handle long pulls, whereas a small cabinet door might only need a single knob.
• Match Your Bedroom Aesthetic: For a modern bedroom, you might use sleek chrome or black handles to coordinate with modern lighting and fixtures. In a boho or vintage-inspired room, consider ornate wrought iron or brushed bronze handles for a touch of old-world charm. If your decor is luxurious, crystal glass knobs or polished nickel handles can add a glam touch.
• Consider Comfort: Wardrobe handles get used daily, so ensure your new ones are comfortable to grip (no sharp edges or awkward shapes). T-bar handles with smooth finishes, classic round knobs, or D-shaped pulls are all ergonomic choices.

Upcycling isn’t just for free-standing furniture – built-in closets benefit too. Simply swapping the hardware on your wardrobe can tie the look into the rest of the room. For example, if you updated your dresser with brass knobs, using the same brass finish on wardrobe handles will create a cohesive design flow throughout your bedroom​

 

. Most wardrobe doors are hollow core or MDF, which are easy to drill if you need new holes for different handle spacing (just be sure to measure and mark level positions). By the end of the afternoon, your once-bland wardrobes will have a fresh new personality that complements your style. (And if you’re curious about ideal placement heights or techniques, check out our [Wardrobe Handle Fitment Guide]​

for handy tips on getting it just right.)

 

4. Glam Up Your Bathroom Vanity

Bathrooms often get overlooked when it comes to hardware updates, but small details make a big impact in these spaces. If your bathroom vanity or cabinets have generic knobs, consider replacing them with handles that match your bathroom’s theme or fixtures. This can instantly give a “designer look” to even a basic vanity. For instance:

• In a contemporary bathroom with black fixtures (like a black faucet or shower frame), install matching matte black handles on the vanity for a cohesive, upscale feel. Suddenly that plain white vanity looks custom-made for the space.
• For a luxurious spa-like vibe, try polished brass or brushed gold handles against a dark wood or navy vanity. The contrast exudes elegance and ties in with gold-toned lighting or mirror frames you might have.
• If you prefer coastal or rustic styles, matte nickel or aged bronze cup pulls can add that subtle touch of character, complementing other elements like bronze tapware or woven baskets in the decor.

Bathroom hardware should be moisture-resistant, so ensure the handles you choose are high-quality finishes that won’t tarnish easily with humidity. All our bathroom handles

collections are made to withstand steamy environments, so you can upgrade worry-free. Installation is usually straightforward: many vanity doors and drawers have standard holes, so you can find handles that fit the same spread. If not, fill the old holes and drill new ones – a bit of DIY that’s well worth the style upgrade. By coordinating your new cabinet handles with your faucet finish or shower hardware, you’ll create a pulled-together look that feels intentional. Visitors might not pinpoint that it’s the new handles making the powder room pop – they’ll just sense that your bathroom feels more polished and inviting than before.

 

(Pro tip: While you’re at it, consider swapping towel hooks or robe hooks to match your new vanity handles for an extra touch of cohesion. Small upgrades like these elevate the overall design without a full bathroom renovation.)

5. Personalize Flat-Pack Furniture (Yes, Even IKEA!)

One of the coolest hacks in interior design is to take an affordable flat-pack piece and make it look bespoke with just a few tweaks. Brands like IKEA offer simple bookcases, cabinets, and media units that are great in function but often basic in form. By adding your own stylish handles, you can transform a mass-market item into a one-of-a-kind statement. This is often called an “IKEA hack,” and handles are usually the star of the show. Here are some ideas:

• Upgrade IKEA Cabinets: Got a BESTÅ cabinet or MALM dresser? Dress it up with trendy hardware. For example, install sleek brass bar handles on a plain white IKEA cabinet – suddenly it looks like a high-end credenza. Or put leather strap pulls on a simple dresser for a chic Scandinavian twist. The difference is night and day, with minimal effort.
• Customize Kitchen Carts or Shelves: Even a budget kitchen trolley or a bookshelf can benefit from new knobs or pulls. If you assemble a low-cost shelving unit, try adding decorative knobs to the sides or drawers (if it has them) in a fun colour or design. It adds personality and ties the piece into your decor theme.
• Mix in High-End Touches: Don’t be afraid to use luxurious-feeling handles on inexpensive furniture. Crystal knobs on a £40 cabinet? Why not! This contrast often fools the eye – people see the glamorous hardware and assume the whole piece is more upscale. As one design blogger notes, new handles can give furniture a new life without the high cost.​
  
  

When working with flat-pack furniture, you might need to drill new holes if the piece didn’t originally come with handles. Always double-check what’s behind the area you’re drilling (some IKEA pieces have metal support bars or hollow sections). Use a drill bit slightly larger than the screw, and consider adding a washer on the inside for extra support if the material is soft. Once your gorgeous new handles are on, your budget furniture is instantly fabulous. Friends might not believe it’s the same basic unit you started with! This approach lets you enjoy creative freedom — mix different collections of handles, play with bold colours or finishes, and truly make the furniture your own. And if you ever want to change up the style later, you can simply swap the handles again for a fresh look.

Conclusion: Small Change, Big Impact

There’s no doubt about it – upcycling with new handles is a game-changer for home decor. It fills in those style gaps between you and your competitors’ homes by turning ordinary furniture into eye-catching pieces. The best part is how accessible this upgrade is: it’s affordable, beginner-friendly, and infinitely customizable. Whether you’re modernizing your kitchen or rescuing a flea-market find, the right handle can completely transform the story of a piece of furniture. As the saying goes, “handles are like jewelry for your furniture,” and choosing the right ones can elevate an entire room’s design.

Ready to get started on your own project? Explore our [Handles Collection]​for an array of cupboard handles, cabinet pulls, and knobs to suit any makeover you have in mind. Remember to keep functionality in mind (sturdy and comfy to use) while having fun with aesthetics. And if you need guidance or inspiration, Decor & Decor’s blog is packed with resources – from installation how-tos to style guides – to support you every step of the way. By following the tips above and infusing a bit of your creativity, you’ll not only close the gap with competitor designs but potentially outshine them with your unique, personalized decor. Happy handle hunting, and enjoy turning your furniture from flat-pack to fabulous with your newfound hardware know-how!