There are dozens of decisions to be made when tackling a kitchen or bathroom remodel…cabinets, fixtures, flooring, lighting, paint, tile, appliances, the list goes on. However, one of the most overlooked design details is cabinet hardware. Knobs and pulls are the most common pieces of hardware. This hardware not only serves a practical purpose of comfortably allowing a homeowner to access the contents of the cabinets or drawers, but it serves an important design and cosmetic purpose to tie together multiple features and styles of a room.
Whether you’re completely remodeling a kitchen or simply swapping out handles, there is no right or wrong decisions when it comes to hardware, only preference. The hardware should be intended to satisfy the look and function of the user. Often times, cabinet doors will receive knobs, while drawers will be equipped with a pull.
Knobs have smaller profiles than handles, are less expensive, and can be used for both drawers and cabinets. They are slightly easier to install than pulls since you only need one screw to secure the knob to the surface.
Pulls are larger than knobs, make more of a statement, and tend to be easier to grip. They are more expensive than pulls, but they come in many different sizes. They tend to complement drawers or larger cabinets with their linear shape.
Cup handles are a special type of cabinet pull that are made especially for use on drawers. They are often known as bin pulls because of this use, or half-moon pulls because of their semi-circular or semi-elliptical shape. Cup pulls are very popular in farmhouse style homes.
Cabinet Tabs are installed on the top of cabinet drawers and doors and facing down, tabs pulls are the next big trend in kitchen design as they look sleek in a modern kitchen and retro in a traditional kitchen. Place tab pulls in the opposite corner of the hinge on doors and center them on drawers.
Choosing a finish for hardware often takes into consideration other accents of a room…things like light fixtures, plumbing fixtures and appliances. The hardware works best when it makes a contrast to other features in the room. Here is a list of the most common finishes, but many more exist:
The style of the hardware can make a big statement for the room. The nuance of the shape and look adds a certain feeling to the space. The endless designs and styles of hardware can be overwhelming to say the least. That’s where one of our designers can help narrow down the choices for you. Here is a list of some the more popular styles of hardware:
A kitchen or bathroom can have a wide array of drawer and door sizes, so it can be difficult to determine what size you need. While there is no set rule, we generally recommend that the pull length is approximately 1/3 of the cabinet or drawer width.
Small Drawers that are 12” or less typically work best with a pull that is 3” to 4” long or a knob that is 1” in diameter.
Medium Drawers that are between 12” to 30” work well with a pull that is between 4” to 8” long or a knob that is between 1” to 1.5” in diameter
Large Drawers that are 30” to 48″will require a pull that is longer than 8″ or a knob that is 1″ in diameter or greater. Using two pulls or knobs for a large drawer also works great.
We hope that this blog can provide some background and education when selecting cabinet hardware. In the end, experimentation is the best way to dial in your personal preference because every room has its own unique set of requirements. Explore our pervious projects for inspiration and our designers will be glad to assist.
Bennett Contracting is the leading bathroom and kitchen remodeling team in Albany, NY. Contact us today to begin planning your next project.