There are pros and cons to each option: Knobs tend to be cheaper and easier to install but they can often get caught on things like clothing etc. Pulls can have a big impact but are often more challenging to install and can be a bit awkward as a door pull.
According to kitchen design experts, knobs are a mainstay of vintage or traditional designs due to their classical appearance, whereas pulls are best suited to more contemporary kitchens.
All types of hardware look good on shaker cabinets. Yet, the hardware that looks best depends on the style of your kitchen space. For a modern, classic, and simple look, pulls are the best option. For a contemporary or vintage look, knobs or ornate hardware would look best.
'Doors typically have knobs, while drawers typically have pulls,' explains John McDonald, founder of Semihandmade. 'An exception would be with a very tall pantry, broom closet, or appliance door where a long pull makes more sense for scale and size of the door.
The two common types of hardware are knobs and pulls. Knobs are small and typically used on cabinet doors; pulls are long and typically used on drawers. However, you can use knobs on drawers and pulls on cabinets … there is no rule against this.
Should You Mix Knobs & Pulls on Kitchen Cabinets? Yes, mixing knobs and pulls on kitchen cabinets will help you use them more easily. You can always choose to purchase only knobs or pulls for all of your cabinet hardware, but we advise homeowners to consider how practical your choice will feel on a daily basis.
'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 Placement
When placing your pulls, remember that the 1'' to 4'' range (based on your personal preference) from the top or bottom edge of the drawer is the ideal placement. The thing to keep in mind with cabinet pulls has to do with placing them vertically or horizontally.
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.
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.
Cabinet pulls and handles have certainly taken a more subtle track in recent years, but today's trends are even more forgiving. “After years of matte black hardware, we're starting to see a softer, edgier take on the shade: think charcoal, gunmetal, and nickel grays,” says DeRose.
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.
Matte Black & Gold Cabinet Hardware
Whether separate or together these colours are dominating the 2023 kitchen trends. Perfect for modern or traditional hardware these colours are complimentary to all types of cabinetry colours.
Matte Black Continues
Matte black hardware will continue its dominance in 2023, and we can't get enough! This trend is ideal when used as part of a monochrome decor scheme or as a statement piece against bright colors.
1. What hardware is in style 2023? It is likely that hardware with a modern, minimalist aesthetic will continue to be in style in 2023. This includes hardware with clean lines and simple shapes, as well as finishes such as matte black, brushed nickel, and polished chrome.
Answers to commonly asked questions
Hardware installation costs depend on a number of factors including cabinet condition, the type of cabinetry, the nature of the project and your location. On average, a simple job such as installing cabinet pulls will cost between $100-$300.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
A kitchen with no handles on the cabinetry gives a modern, timeless look. If sleek, modern kitchen cabinets are your thing, you will love the handleless look!