What usually looks best is a pull length that is about 1/3 the height of the cabinet door and 1/3 the width of the cabinet drawer. Your eyes follow the length of the pull up the height of the door or across the width of the drawer. Pulls don't have to all be the same length as long as the pull design is the same.
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.
If you do, the common rule of thumb for placement is to divide the drawer into thirds, and install the hardware in the left and right thirds.
For standard size cabinetry (dimensions of 12″ – 36″) the most common pull sizes are 3”, 4”, 96mm, and 128mm center to center (from one screw hole to another). Standard knob sizes are 1 1/4″ or 1 3/8″.
The quick answer is no, they don't, but they should complement each other and blend with the rest of the house. For instance, brushed nickel hardware in a kitchen with chrome lights doesn't work because the finishes look too similar, and they are different styles (traditional vs. contemporary).
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.
'Think of your cabinet hardware and kitchen faucet like jewelry,' says Xander Shreenan of Dowsing & Reynolds. 'One should complement the other; creating a beautiful and decorative kitchen that has been tailored to perfection. ' However, bear in mind that anything too matchy-matchy can look contrived.
Cabinet pulls give a sleek visually appealing look to cabinet doors and drawers. What usually looks best is a pull length that is about 1/3 the height of the cabinet door and 1/3 the width of the cabinet drawer. Your eyes follow the length of the pull up the height of the door or across the width of the drawer.
Matte black hardware is ideal for modern and industrial interiors, while oil-rubbed bronze is unmatched for farmhouse and rustic kitchens. And, when in doubt, unlacquered brass and polished nickel are both timeless, failproof finishes that work with every interior design style.
Brushed Nickel (BPN)
The brushing highlights the beauty of the nickel and creates a finish that hides scratches and water spots. Brushed Nickel has become one of the most popular finish choices for hardware due to its versatility and ability to complement all styles and cabinet colors.
Yes, metals like brass are classic, and lucite pulls are glamorous, but a pop of color is where it's at in 2023. Introduce a touch of whimsy into your kitchen with turquoise pulls that pop against white slab cabinets, as seen here in Parisian flat designed by Fabrizio Casiraghi.
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.
While there are many different ways to select hardware, I typically stick to my tried and true “formula”. I'm also a big fan of mixing and matching different hardware sizes in the same collection and finish, for a layered look.
There is no right or wrong size to choose, but we do recommend choosing pulls that have at least a 3-3/4" center to center (the distance between the screw holes). This size looks pleasing on most cabinets, while still being large enough to grip comfortably. 5" - 6.5" pulls are also an excellent choice.
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.
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.
Look for warm metals like bronze, copper, gold, and brass. They'll look stunning against the warmth of your oak cabinets. Cold metals like chrome, stainless steel, and brushed nickel are fine, but they may fall a little flat. They often won't look as rich or polished against the cabinet's wood tones.
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.
Don't underestimate the power of black hardware. "Black and white is a classic and timeless combination, so black hardware in a white kitchen will never go out of style," says Laura Roberts of Laura Roberts Interiors.
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.
As a general rule of thumb, if your drawer is 30″ or wider, I like to use two cup pulls. Lastly, if you have tall drawers, you can either center them in the overall drawer, or install them on the top rail. Knobs: For the most part, we only use knobs on cabinet doors.
Installing new cabinet hardware might seem like a simple project, but it can have a huge impact. Changing up the handles and knobs on your cabinets adds new energy and style to your kitchen and can even add value to your home.
Choosing Color and Finish Based on Tone
Hardware on white cabinets will stand out and steal the show, so it's a great opportunity to go bold! If you have warm tones, go with gold, black, or bronze hardware. If you have a cold grey tone, then silver, pewter, black, and stainless steel hardware will work.
If you want a full handle, you'll want a pull-out wand. If you don't need a full handle, a pull-down won't give you as much space to grab onto the wand. However, it's more ergonomically correct to pull down.
For example, if you currently have brushed nickel finishes in your bathroom, you could keep some of the brushed nickel elements and add in a bit of brass and/or black to create an interesting and budget-friendly mix.