Handles are the jewelry of your kitchen. They’re small, but you see them and touch them every day, so they affect both how your kitchen looks and how it feels to use. Here’s how to choose well.
Start With Style
Your handles should support the overall design of your kitchen, not compete with it.
- Traditional kitchens pair well with cup pulls, bin pulls, and knobs in finishes like antique brass or oil-rubbed bronze.
- Modern kitchens suit slim bar pulls, edge pulls, or integrated finger grooves in matte black, brushed steel, or stainless.
- Transitional and farmhouse kitchens have the most flexibility. Simple bar pulls or classic knobs in brushed nickel or brass usually work.
Choose the Right Type
Knobs are compact, affordable, and classic. They work well on doors and small drawers, but can be harder to grip with wet hands or limited hand strength.
Pulls (bar handles) give you a full-hand grip and are easier to use. They’re a better choice for large drawers and heavy doors.
Edge pulls and finger pulls sit along the top or side of the door for a clean, minimal look. They’re sleek, but may be less comfortable for frequent daily use.
A common approach is to use knobs on doors and pulls on drawers, or pulls throughout for consistency.
Get the Size Right
Handle size should be in proportion to the door or drawer.
- Small doors and drawers suit handles around 3 to 5 inches.
- Large drawers look best with longer pulls, often 8 inches or more, or two pulls on very wide drawers.
- Tall doors benefit from longer handles placed vertically.
Also check the center-to-center measurement, which is the distance between the two screw holes. If you’re replacing handles on existing cabinets, this needs to match. For new cabinets, you can choose any size.
Think About Comfort and Function
Hold a handle before you buy. Make sure your fingers fit comfortably behind the pull, with enough space to get a good grip. Avoid sharp edges, and consider how a handle might catch on clothing or pockets, especially near walkways.
Match Your Finishes
Coordinate handles with other metals in the kitchen, like faucets, light fixtures, and appliances. You don’t have to match everything exactly, but limit yourself to two finishes so the look stays cohesive. Consider durability too. Some finishes show fingerprints or wear faster than others, so ask how the finish is applied.
Consider Placement
Consistency makes a kitchen look polished. Place handles in the same position across similar doors, typically near the top corner of lower doors and the bottom corner of upper doors. For drawers, center the handle or align it with others in the same run.
Test Before You Commit
Handles look different in a showroom than in your kitchen. Order a few samples and hold them against your cabinets in your own lighting. Live with them for a few days if you can.
The Bottom Line
The right handle balances style, size, comfort, and finish. Choose something that suits your kitchen’s look, feels good in your hand, and is in proportion to your cabinets.
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