If you want a space that leans towards more of the traditional side, the general rule to follow is knobs on doors and pulls on drawers. Every so often we will break this rule for small drawers or small spaces, such as bathrooms. But you really cannot go wrong when sticking to this overall guideline.
It's much easier and safer to mix different shapes of knobs and pulls in one matching finish. Think about the number of drawers and doors. It can be easier to make multiple styles of hardware work in a larger kitchen with many doors and drawers. Use one style for upper cabinets and a different style for lower cabinets.
The general rule of thumb is that knobs are best for cabinet doors, though you can certainly break said rule. “We might do a single knob on a smaller drawer,” says Gorsline.
Of course we faced the age old question of where to put knobs vs pulls and I realized I have a few opinions on this so I thought I'd share them with you below. Traditionally knobs are used for cabinet doors and pulls are used on cabinet drawers however these days anything goes.
On wall cabinets, knobs are usually placed 2-1/2” to 3” from the bottom corner of the door. On base cabinets, they are placed 2-1/2” to 3” from the upper corner of the door. On drawers and pull-out cabinets, drawer pulls and knobs are typically centered on the drawer front.
Pulls don't have to all be the same length as long as the pull design is the same. Use a long pull for tall cabinets and wide drawers, and use a medium length pull for shorter cabinets and narrower drawers.
Overall, to cut a long story short, contemporary and modern cabinets work in harmony with simple knobs and pulls. You can also mix and match them to create a complementary look, like the transition kitchen. Traditional-style spaces demand much more intricate hardware, making pulls the more common selection.
Go to garage sales, thrift stores, Goodwill, etc. and look for old belts that have some nice bling on them. I went through my jewelry box and found some old bracelets and rings I never wear anymore and turned them into drawer pulls for my DIY furniture pieces. They really make the furniture look amazing.
Grip. Sometimes functionality is more important than appearance. If you live with children or maybe someone a bit older who has a hard time gripping, then pulls are going to be the better choice. Since you can grab a pull with three to four fingers, it is much easier to get a better handle.
For really wide drawers, we always recommend using two cup pulls, and then evenly space them. As a general rule of thumb, if your drawer is 30″ or wider, I like to use two cup pulls.
Rather than using two pulls on wide drawers, you can use a single pull that is longer in length. This can offer a cleaner, more contemporary appearance and it also is easier to operate your drawers with. Using a pull that is approximately 1/3 the length of the drawer is a good rule of thumb.
When it comes to installing cabinet door handles (either knobs or pulls), they are always placed on the opposite side from the door hinges. You'll specifically want to place them anywhere between 1'' and 4'' from the top or bottom edge of the door.
Drawers wider than 18″ need two knobs/pulls, whereas drawer narrower need only one.
Why Mix Cabinet Hardware? The two main reasons you may want to use more than one style of cabinet knob and pull are simple: style and function. From a style perspective, mixing different types of hardware can give a kitchen lots of character, adding subtle visual interest.
Sleek Modern Pulls. Slim and sleek pulls are still the most popular cabinet hardware style. Modern bar pulls, whether tubular or square are top sellers, and for good reason. They look great on most cabinets, come in many finishes, and are a flexible design choice.
Door handles are easier to use than knobs, particularly for older people and those with disabilities. Because they're easier to grasp and turn, handles can be helpful for people with disabilities and older people who may have difficulty with their hands.
Yes, door hardware increases the value of a house
You might not immediately think of new door knobs as being an attractive feature for potential buyers, but it's true—new hardware has some aesthetic appeal that makes it a nice feature to show off to people as they tour your home, looking to potentially make an offer.
Pulls are slender pieces of cabinet hardware that allow for better handling. These features are more prominent than knobs, and thus, they're more expensive despite being made in various sizes. Pull handles benefit drawers and larger cabinets best since these spaces can get heavy with pots, pans, and weighty dishes.
Having a false drawer handle adds continuity and are more visually appealing than having a bald-faced drawer. Although having a drawer handle on a false drawer does not increase storage space, many enjoy the look of having all of their drawer faces with knobs or handles.
Replacing Cabinet Knobs With Handles
Knobs require one hole; pulls usually require two holes. Going from one hole to two holes on cabinet doors is usually a simple matter since the holes are aligned vertically. You can reuse the previous hole and add a second hole.
Yes! And Here's Why... Satin nickel cabinet hardware, or as it is sometimes called brushed nickel cabinet hardware, is often considered the backbone of cabinet hardware finishes.
Latest Modern Door Hardware Trends
Just like cabinet hardware, brass and black interior door hardware are still trending hard. Depending on the style of your home, chrome and glass knobs and levers are also popular. I'll share examples of these styles below, so read on! As for design, minimalism is the top trend.
Knobs tend to be used for cabinet doors, pulls tend to be used with both doors and drawers. They serve both function and style – You want to be able to open your shaker style drawers and doors easily, making all the handles within reach. You of course, also want them to play into the aesthetics of the room.