How to Choose Kitchen Handles: Top 5 Tips

Whether you’re renovating your kitchen or refreshing your kitchen hardware, you will need to select kitchen cabinet handles. Sounds like a simple decision, right? With numerous sizes, colours, finishes, and designs, this can quickly become an overwhelming task.
We're here to make the process easy for you. This guide will help you choose the best handles for your kitchen cabinets, ensuring they perfectly match your style and needs.

 

How To Choose Kitchen Handles 

Kitchen cabinet handles are essential for both practicality and style. The best handles will be durable and functional while also enhancing your kitchen’s aesthetic. Given their importance, it’s crucial that you make the right choice.

Follow our tips for choosing your kitchen cabinet handles:

Match Your Kitchen Style

One of the best ways to ensure your kitchen handles are cohesive is to match them to your kitchen style. Whether you have a cottage core or contemporary kitchen, choosing handles that fit with the aesthetic will make the overall design feel professional. 
Here are a few examples of the best handles for different kitchen styles:

 

Modern Kitchen

Modern kitchens are all about simplicity and elegance. For this style, keep your options to sleek, minimalist handles, such as matt gold pulls or trendy black handles. These options provide a clean, streamlined look that complements modern design

 

Traditional Kitchen

Traditional kitchens feature a warm, inviting atmosphere with classic elements. Ornate and vintage-style handles are ideal for this style. Consider choosing antique brass or copper knobs with intricate designs to enhance the timeless feel of your traditional kitchen.

 

Farmhouse Kitchen

Farmhouse kitchens have a cosy, lived-in feel with rustic elements. For this style, choose functional yet charming handles, like cup handles in matt gold or satin copper. They add a touch of country charm and fit seamlessly with the farmhouse aesthetic.

Decide Between Pulls or Knobs

Pulls and knobs are the two main types of kitchen handles to choose between. Pulls are handles that you grip with your whole hand, making them ideal for larger drawers and cabinets. They offer a sleek, modern look and are best suited for contemporary or modern kitchen styles.
Knobs are smaller handles that you grip with your fingers, perfect for smaller doors and cabinets. They provide a classic, timeless appeal and are great for traditional or farmhouse kitchen styles. Use them to add a touch of elegance to your kitchen design.

Choose Your Kitchen Handle Colour

The colour of your kitchen handles is where you can bring your personality and style preferences into play. You can either choose to match them seamlessly with your kitchen cabinet colour or create a statement with contrasting colours. 
Here are some of the common kitchen handle colours and the cabinet colours they pair well with: 

Black: Black kitchen handles offer a bold, striking contrast, making them ideal for white or light-coloured cabinets.  

Bronze: Bronze handles have a warm, rustic feel that works well with wood or warm-toned cabinetry. 

Brass: Brass handles add a touch of luxury and warmth to your kitchen. They are ideal for both dark and light cabinets. 

Copper: Copper handles bring a warm, metallic sheen that stands out on wood or white cabinets. 

Chrome: Chrome kitchen handles offer a sleek, polished look that is perfect for modern cabinets in a glossy or matte finish. 

Gold: Gold kitchen handles are perfect for glamorous or high-end kitchen designs, working well with both dark and light cabinetry.  

Silver: Silver handles offer a versatile, timeless appeal that pairs best with cool-toned cabinets. 

Pewter: Pewter handles have a soft, matte finish that adds a vintage feel to wood or painted cabinets. 

Nickel: Nickel handles have a subtle shine that complements a wide range of cabinet colours. 

Different finishes will also impact the look and tone of your kitchen handles. Polished finishes provide a shiny, reflective surface that adds a touch of glamour. Matte finishes offer a more subdued, contemporary look. Antique finishes bring a vintage, time-worn charm. Choose the finish that best matches your kitchen's style and your personal preference.

 

Decide Your Kitchen Handle Size

Handle size impacts the functionality and aesthetics of your kitchen. The best way to choose your kitchen handle size is to match it to your cabinets. This ensures a balanced look and practical use.
For large cabinet doors, opt for longer handles or pulls. They provide a better grip and make it easier to open and close the doors. Plus, they add a bold statement to your kitchen design.
For drawers, choose handles or pulls that are proportional to the drawer size. Smaller drawers benefit from shorter handles, while larger drawers can accommodate longer ones. This approach ensures ease of use and a cohesive look across your kitchen.

Don’t Forget Functionality

When choosing kitchen cabinet handles, functionality is just as important as style. Consider how easy the handles are to clean, especially in a busy kitchen where spills and fingerprints are common. Handles with smooth surfaces and durable finishes are easier to maintain and keep looking new.
You also need to make sure the handles are comfortable to grip and use daily. Test different styles to find ones that feel good in your hand and are practical for all members of your household.

 

Mixing and Matching Cabinet Hardware

With so many different choices, why limit yourself to just one kitchen handle style? Mixing and matching can add personality and depth to your kitchen. This choice does come with the risk of creating a cluttered look, so it’s essential to find the right balance.
Here are our two ways to do this successfully:

Mixing Different Sizes

Mixing different sizes can create visual interest and functionality. You can use larger pulls for drawers and smaller knobs for upper cabinets to add variety while maintaining a cohesive look. This approach adds dimension to your kitchen while keeping it functional and stylish.

Mixing Complementary Colours and Finishes

Mixing complementary colours and finishes can enhance your kitchen's style. Pairing brass with matte black or chrome with nickel can create a sophisticated contrast. Just make sure the finishes harmonise with the overall colour scheme of your kitchen.

 

Installation Tips for Cabinet Handles

Once you have chosen your kitchen cupboard handles, it’s time to bring them into your kitchen design. Fitting the handles is usually one of the final touches in a kitchen renovation project.

Follow our tips to ensure your handles are installed correctly:
 

Use a Template

A template ensures consistent placement of your handles. It helps you mark the correct spots for drilling holes, saving time and avoiding mistakes. Templates are especially useful when installing multiple handles.

Drill Pilot Holes

Before screwing in your handles, drill pilot holes. This prevents the wood from splitting and makes it easier to insert the screws. Use a drill bit slightly smaller than the screws for the best results.

Tighten Carefully

When installing your handles, tighten the screws carefully. Over-tightening can strip the screws or damage the handles. Use a screwdriver for the final tightening to ensure a secure fit without causing damage.
Ready to transform your kitchen with the perfect cabinet handles? At Decor and Decor, you will find a wide range of styles, sizes, and finishes. Explore our range of kitchen handles and knobs to quickly find the best handles for your kitchen cabinets.

FAQs

What type of handle is best for kitchen cabinets?

The best type of handle depends on your kitchen style and personal preference. Pulls are a popular choice for a modern look, while knobs suit traditional and farmhouse styles.

What handles look best with shaker units?

Shaker cabinets have a simple design which pairs well with classic handle styles. Brushed nickel or matte black pulls offer a clean, timeless look that complements the shaker style. Knobs in the same finishes also work well.

What are the most popular kitchen cabinet handles?

Popular kitchen cabinet handles include stainless steel bar pulls, matte black handles, and brass knobs. These durable options suit various styles, from modern to traditional. 

Can I mix and match different cabinet hardware styles?

Yes, mixing and matching different cabinet hardware styles can add character to your kitchen. Ensure the finishes and styles complement each other for a cohesive look. Combining knobs and pulls in coordinating finishes is a popular choice.