Choosing Cabinet Handles
There are almost too many choices for cabinet handles. Equal parts fun and frustrating to choose!Choosing cabinet handles is as varied as a person’s taste in pizza. We have found that cabinet handles are the biggest contributor to near-divorce situations in a remodel. (Followed closely by lighting fixtures.) Straight handles (pulls), no handles, finger cup handles, small sphere handles (knobs)—the look you want to achieve is completed when the handles are on the doors and drawers.
Handles, knobs and pulls, help to protect both the lacquer and stain applied to cabinets. Over time, oils and grime on fingers will wear down any finish. Handles also can be functional particularly for frameless or overlay cabinet styles.
Here’s a few guidelines:
Statement handles are great but not in large numbers. On an accent piece in a hall or a corner cupboard, bold, artistic handles can really emphasize both the cabinet as well as the space. In a kitchen, a study, a closet or a bathroom with lots of doors and drawers, the one-of-a-kind handle will overwhelm the room.
Handles definitely have a fashion-forwardness to them. It used to be knobs were used for all doors and drawers before there was a large selection of handles to choose from. Now, pulls are mostly used for a contemporary look.
Knobs can be more comfortable for hands to use. They don’t have the strength of a pull for large drawers or heavy cabinet doors. Knobs are easy to use on cabinets and drawers because they don’t have the added complication of vertical and horizontal that pulls create.
Look for handles that fit in with the lines of your room—are light fixtures, appliances, design elements rounded or angular? Curved handles fit nicely with the more traditional rounded edges, where the linear, flat pulls work well with sleek, modern styles.
For the handle finish, chrome and brushed nickel are the most popular choices. Again, the style of your cabinet and the cabinet finish will help dictate the color desired. In the kitchen, you’ll want to take into account the sink faucet and appliance finishes.
Your budget will be a key factor in determining handle choice. Handles have a large price range. You should plan on spending between $5 to $12 per handle. That’s right! For a big project, the handles can be an expensive part of the planning
Decide the role you want your handles to play in your room décor. And then relax and enjoy what you’ve put together. Remember your relationships are more important than these kinds of decisions. And a remodel doesn’t pivot on each choice, but on what you’ve created together.