Cabinet Hardware Options to Consider For Your Next Project

There are many Cabinet hardware options, so many in fact, it may be hard to decide. Often referred to as the kitchen’s jewelry, it must coordinate, function, and enrich the design. However, knobs and pulls also shield your cabinet’s finish as you are not transferring oil and dirt to the cabinet fronts.

The first step is to understand your cabinet hardware options:

Cabinet Knobs

You will find knobs in different shapes, Round knobs square, T-shape, and even other more severe forms. Round knobs are the most comfortable to grab, making them easier to pull.

Knobs are simple to install as they are typically attached to the cabinet door or drawer front with a single screw.

We do not recommend knobs for heavy drawers, as a single knob in the center will add unnecessary stress.

Cabinet Pulls

Pulls are a great choice for homes with weak or arthritic hands as they are easier to use.  They also will protect your cabinet finish as they reduce the amount of contact with your hands.

Unlike knobs, which have only one screw attachment, cabinet pulls need to be attached to the cabinet with two or more screws. When using all pulls, we suggest using horizontal for drawers and vertical for doors.

Another positive is that pulls are available in a broader selection of designs than knobs.

Cup and Bin Pulls

Bin pulls, also known as cup handles because of their semi-circular or semi-elliptical shape, are prevalent in farmhouse style homes.

They have a cupped shape that allows your fingers to slide into from underneath.

Bin pulls function best on drawers and pullouts, and they tend to look best installed centered and running horizontally.

Finger Pulls

Finger pulls are trending in modern kitchen design as they look streamlined in clean-lined, minimalist kitchens.

They attach to the back/top of each door/drawer and wrap around to create a lip that can be griped with a curved finger, like a cup pull but broader with a cleaner shape.

Latch Pulls

Latch pulls generally serve as a style statement as they provide an old-world appeal and work well in farmhouse-inspired kitchens.

As their name suggests, they latch shut, and depending on the latching mechanism; they can take a bit more effort to open than a typical pull. They may prove useful as a child safety lock or a deterrent for intelligent pets.

Since Latch pulls consist of two pieces, they need a cabinet style that is flush to the frame so the two parts can correctly align.

A knob, Pull, Latch: What Cabinet Hardware Options are Best for Your Kitchen?

There are no strict rules to follow. It is a matter of preference and performance.

It is a common practice to put knobs on the upper cabinets and pulls on the lower. Since pulls allow the whole hand to grab instead of only your fingertips, it is more comfortable. Pulls are almost always used on drawers as they tend to be heavy with pots, pans, dishes, etc. Pulls are more of a contemporary look, but you will also see them in traditional kitchens with a conventional pull style.

Finger pulls are not usually used with other cabinet styles because they appear in modern, minimalist kitchens. We suggest using a consistent width or size to match each cabinet.

It works well to combine Latch pulls with knobs for most doors as they are simpler to open.

Get the Scale Right

Selecting the right scale of hardware can be stressful, especially if you are mixing styles.  If the cabinet hardware style you are mixing looks similar, it can create a mismatched look instead of intentionally coordinated. To avoid this issue, make sure when mixing multiple styles that they are different in scale.

Consider The Other Metals In The Room

As we mentioned earlier, cabinet hardware is the kitchen’s bling, so you do not need to match the finish to the rest of your kitchen. When done correctly, mixing metals, materials, and finishes create a more layered, curated, and designed look.

Consider brushed nickel or champagne gold for your cabinet hardware for a superb combination of metals if you have chrome faucets. Keep in mind that the “finish” isn’t just the material but also the texture or shine level.  Brushed brass and satin brass both have gold tones, but they look different because they have different surface textures and shine levels. Black pulls look great with stainless appliances if you do not care for silver pulls.

Narrow Down Your Cabinet Style First

The style of cabinet hardware you pick will depend significantly on your kitchen design and the cabinet door style. Traditionally styled cabinets with more elaborate fronts call for traditional hardware. While, cabinets with simple or flat faces look best with minimal, sleek knobs and pulls. Some ultra-modern cabinets do not need any hardware as they have grooves on the edges of the door or open by push latches.

When evaluating your cabinet hardware options, your first consideration should be functional and if it is comfortable in your hand.  When in doubt, keep it simple. You will see classic round knobs and rectangular drawers in many stunning kitchens.

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