Kitchen cabinet handles are a small but important detail that can have a big impact on the look and function of your kitchen. While handleless, or handle-free, cabinetry has become popular in contemporary kitchens, most traditional and transitional kitchens benefit from having cabinet hardware. Ultimately, whether your kitchen cabinets need handles is a matter of personal preference and style. There are pros and cons to both handled and handleless cabinets to consider.
What are the Benefits of Having Handles on Kitchen Cabinets?
Kitchen cabinet handles serve both practical and aesthetic purposes. Here are some of the top reasons to install handles on kitchen cabinets:
Easier Cabinet Access
Handles provide a grip point to easily open and close cabinet doors and drawers. This is especially helpful for cabinets or drawers that might be hard to grip such as those with recessed panels. Handles allow you to get a solid grip to open the cabinet, even with hands full or if you have mobility challenges.
Creates Visual Interest
Cabinet handles come in a myriad of styles, materials, shapes and finishes. They are an easy way to coordinate your cabinet hardware with other details in the kitchen or add visual interest to plain cabinet fronts. Dress up plain Shaker-style cabinets by adding stylish hardware. Or match the finish on handles to your kitchen faucet and lighting fixtures to tie the whole room together.
Elevates the Look of Stock Cabinets
Using high-quality hardware is an affordable way to make inexpensive stock cabinets look more custom. Swapping out plain silver or brass handles for unique hardware makes a big difference in the overall look of your kitchen.
Provides Decorating Flexibility
Handles are relatively easy to switch out if you want to change the look of your kitchen later on. Just switch out the handles to something more modern, traditional, funky, etc. It is a simple update that can give your existing cabinets a whole new vibe.
Offers Contrast
The color and texture of cabinet hardware contrasts nicely with cabinet fronts, creating visual interest. Matte black metal handles stand out dramatically against glossy white cabinets, for instance. Contrasting hardware prevents an endless expanse of cabinetry from looking monotonous.
Easy to Grip and Pull
Unlike knobs which you pinch, cabinet handles allow you to grip and pull with your whole hand. This provides more leverage to open sticky cabinets or large and heavy drawers. Handles are also easier for those with limited dexterity to grasp.
Provides Visual Separation
The vertical line of handles creates a nice separation between cabinet doors and drawer fronts. This delineation gives the eye a place to rest when looking at a long row of cabinetry.
Increased Safety
Protruding handles help identify where to safely open cabinets so you avoid smashing your fingers by opening them in the wrong spot. Handles also provide a handhold if you need to steady yourself near open cabinets.
Reasons to Go Handleless
While handles offer many benefits, handleless cabinets have their perks too. Here are some reasons you may want to skip the handles:
Contemporary Look
Handleless cabinets have a very sleek, contemporary, minimalist aesthetic. For modern kitchens, the clean lines of a handle-free look is preferable over fussier hardware. Concealed hinges allow cabinets to open with just the tap of a finger.
Easier Cleaning
Without handles, there are fewer nooks and crannies to trap grease and grime. Cabinets can simply be wiped down without having to work around protruding handles. The lack of grooves also reduces the amount of dirt and germs that can collect.
More Economical
Opting for handleless cabinets saves the additional cost of purchasing hardware. It also avoids the extra installation time and labor to drill holes and affix all the handles properly.
Streamlined Look
Going handleless minimizes visual clutter for a very streamlined, built-in appearance. The emphasis is on the uninterrupted lines of the cabinetry rather than the hardware. This creates a calming, monochromatic look.
Sleek Profile
Lacking hardware allows you to appreciate the full expanse of the cabinet door and drawer front material and profile. Carrying the same finish across the cabinets presents a very cohesive look.
Space Savings
Without protruding hardware, handleless cabinets protrude less into the room space. This can allow for a tighter kitchen layout. The lack of handles also eliminates catching clothing or getting bruised hips on protruding handles.
Safety for Kids
Handleless cabinets remove pinch points and protrusions that children could catch their fingers on. Just be sure to opt for cabinets with soft-closing hinges to prevent smashed little fingers.
Minimalist Style
Those who prefer a very minimalist, clutter-free aesthetic often gravitate to handleless cabinets. The subtlety puts the emphasis on the beauty of the materials and lines of the cabinetry.
Highlight Natural Materials
Handleless cabinetry allows you to highlight the inherent beauty of wood grain and other materials without distracting hardware competing for attention.
Key Considerations When Choosing Kitchen Cabinet Handles
For traditional and transitional kitchens that will benefit from handles, choosing the right handles is key. When selecting your kitchen cabinet hardware consider:
Style/Design
Kitchen cabinet handles come in an endless array of shapes, materials and finishing to coordinate with your particular kitchen style. Sleek contemporary bar handles suit modern kitchens, while classic bin pulls match traditional cabinets. Consider the overall look you want before shopping for hardware.
Finish/Color
Popular finishes for kitchen cabinet handles include:
- Chrome or stainless steel – sleek and modern
- Brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze – transitional look
- Polished brass – traditional
- Matte black – modern and dramatic
- Antique copper – old-world charm
Or choose a finish that coordinates with other metals in the kitchen, like the faucet. Contrasting finishes can also make the hardware pop.
Size/Scale
Cabinet handle size should be in scale with the size of the cabinet doors and your kitchen. Oversized handles look awkward and dominate the cabinets. Tiny handles can get overwhelmed or lost on large cabinets. Standard handle size is generally 3 to 4 inches in length.
Placement
Traditionally cabinet handles are centered vertically on doors and horizontally on drawers. You can deviate from convention by using multiple handles or choosing unique alignments. Make sure handles clear fixtures like pulls-out shelves.
Ease of Grip
Opt for cabinet handles that fit comfortably in the hand to make opening cabinets easy, even with full hands. Avoid styles that are too small, sharp edged, oddly angled or have embellishments that dig into fingers.
Durability
Kitchen handles get used multiple times a day, so durability is key. Solid metal handles like bronze, brass or chrome stand up to frequent use. Plastic and hollow handles dent and degrade easier over time.
Easy Installation
Look for handles with screws that are easy to install correctly. Solid screws that grip the cabinet prevent handles from loosening over time. Some handles use easy to install through-bolts.
Budget
Kitchen cabinet handles vary widely in price from just a couple dollars up to over $100 per handle for high end designer styles. Set a hardware budget before falling for pricier handles.
Recommended Styles of Kitchen Cabinet Handles
From traditional to modern, here are some top recommended styles of kitchen cabinet hardware:
Bin or Cup Pulls
- Classic style for traditional kitchens
- Hollow metal half sphere pulls away from door
- Available as single or double pull
- Variety of sizes and finishes
Bar Handles
- Sleek tubular shape
- Usually stainless steel or chrome
- Come in straight or curved shape
- Also angled, knuckle and other styles
- Suits modern to contemporary cabinets
Bow Handles
- The center curves out in a bow shape
- Often have edges that taper in for easier grip
- Variety of sizes and metal finishes
- Transitional style good for many kitchens
Tab Pull Handles
- Rectangular shape mounts flush with door
- Usually a short 2-3 inch size
- Slim profile suits Shaker style cabinets
- Good for areas where protruding handles could bump hips
Architectural Handles
- Basic rectangular shape with defined edges
- Made of solid metal with nicely finished edges
- Available in range of sizes
- Great for modern to transitional cabinets
Ring Pulls
- Circular handle that lays flush when not in use
- Lift up the ring to open cabinet door
- Very streamlined contemporary style
- Available in black, chrome, etc.
Knobs
- Circular knobs pivot to open cabinet
- Traditional style, often decorative shapes
- Come in all different designs, finishes, and sizes
- Not as easy to grip as handles
Ideal Handle Placement Styles
Traditionally, cabinet handles are placed centered vertically on doors and horizontally on drawers. But the handle placement does not have to be boring. Here are some stylish ways to use kitchen cabinet handles:
Asymmetrical Placement
For a more dynamic look, place handles at unequal vertical distances from top to bottom. Maintain alignment horizontally across a row of lowers or uppers. Keep handles clear of cabinet midrails.
Vertical Stagger
Stagger the height of handles on vertically stacked uppers for visual interest. Coordinate the handles across each door. This creates a rhythmic pattern when opening the cabinets.
Multiple Handles
Use two short bar handles per drawer instead of one long one. Or add a second handle to wide cabinet doors. Doubled handles add extra visual punch. Just maintain even spacing.
Cross-body Placement
Position the handles at slanted angles pointing towards each other on opposing cabinet doors and drawers. It creates a bold zig-zag effect when installed across kitchen cabinetry.
Diagonal Placement
Placing handles at 45 degree angles adds a dynamic look compared to straightforward horizontal and vertical alignment. Rotate handles on adjacent doors for a herringbone-type pattern.
Decorative Pattern
Get creative by using ornate handles to form geometric shapes, zig-zags or florals across a bank of cabinets. Patterned hardware makes a big decorative impact.
Which Types of Cabinets Do Not Get Handles?
While most standard kitchen cabinets suit handles, there are certain types of cabinetry that traditionally are designed without handles:
Appliance Garage Cabinets
These specialty cabinets have door fronts that lift up or slide open to reveal appliances inside. No handles are needed since you open them by grasping a recessed edge.
Waste Bin Cabinets
Trash and recycling center cabinets usually have touch latch opening so no handle is necessary. Press on the door front to release the latch and open.
Lift-Up Base Cabinets
Base cabinets with lift-up doors that raise vertically to open are typically handleless. You access contents by pressing on the bottom edge of the door.
Pantry Pull-Out Cabinets
Deep pantries with roll out trays do not have handles since contents are accessed via the pull-out shelves. The cabinet fronts simply act as decorative doors.
Glass Door Cabinets
Cabinets with full glass panel doors do not accommodate handles. The glass doors slide to open or use touch mechanisms.
Upper Wall Cabinets
Upper cabinets tend to be handleless since they are not opened frequently. Crown molding provides visual separation from the wall.
Microwave or Filler Cabinets
Non-functioning filler or microwave cabinets often omit handles since the cabinet is not accessed.
Creative Alternatives to Standard Handles
Beyond classic cabinet handle styles, some creative alternatives to standard handles include:
Cut-Outs in Doors/Drawers
Routed out holes or slots in cabinet doors and drawers allow you to open them handle-free by inserting fingers in the cut-outs.
Edge Pulls
Vertical strips of metal installed on cabinet door edges allow you to open handleless doors by pulling along the edge.
Knobs as Pulls
Small knobs on the leading cabinet door edge can serve as pull points to open the door without a traditional handle.
Pull-Out Shelving
Installing pull-out shelves on cabinet interiors allows you to forgo handles. Just pull the shelves out to access contents.
Underlighting
LED strip lighting underneath cabinets and drawers illuminates a line along the bottom that serves as a grip point on handleless designs.
Industrial Pipe
Use plumbing pipes cut to size and finished to match your cabinets for an industrial style custom handle option.
Leather Wraps
Wrapping cabinet door edges in leather creates an artisanal handle alternative. The leather acts as a grip point when opening the door.
Edge Notches
Small geometric or rounded cut-outs along cabinet door edges let you easily open handleless doors.
Factors that Influence Handle Needs
Several factors can help determine if your particular kitchen truly needs cabinet handles or not:
Cabinet Door/Drawer Style
Recessed panel doors and solid slab drawers need handles for a grip point. Flat paneled and Shaker style doors can potentially go handleless if you prefer the streamlined look.
Cabinet Construction
Stock or inexpensive cabinets with thinner doors benefit from handles to prevent sagging and make opening easier. Handles are optional on high quality custom cabinets.
Kitchen Workflow
If your kitchen gets constant high traffic and the cabinets get opened frequently, handles make access easier. Lower use kitchens can potentially go handleless.
User Height
Standard handle height may be too high for small children or wheelchair users. Consider lower handles or handles on both sides of corner cabinets for accessibility.
Intended Usage
Frequently accessed cabinets like for dishes, food staples, trash, etc. should have handles for easy access. Occasional use cabinets can be handleless if preferred.
Aesthetic Preference
Ultimately the choice comes down to whether you prefer the clean look of handleless cabinets or the functionality and styling of handled cabinetry for your kitchen’s particular design.
Cabinet Contents
Heavy drawers like pots and pans or frequently accessed items benefit from handles for easy opening. But drawers containing linens or other lightweight items can be handleless.
Appliance Garages
Specialty cabinets that contain appliances requiring ventilation should always be handleless to allow air to flow freely. Handles can block appliance ventilation.
How to Install Handles on Kitchen Cabinets
Installing new handles is a relatively simple DIY project for most homeowners. Here are some tips for properly installing kitchen cabinet handles:
1. Remove Old Handles
If replacing existing hardware, remove the old cabinet handles and door catches. Fill any unused screw holes with wood putty.
2. Gather Supplies
You’ll need the new cabinet handles, a drill with appropriate drill bits, tape measure, and screwdriver. Use properly sized screws included with new handles.
3. Mark Handle Placement
Measure and mark perforated tape with the center point for each handle horizontally along the top/bottom of doors and vertically along the sides of drawers.
4. Drill Pilot Holes
Use a drill bit slightly smaller than the handle screws to drill a pilot hole at each placement mark. Drill straight down about 1 inch into the cabinet frame.
5. Secure Handles
Line up each handle with the pilot holes and use a screwdriver to secure the screws until tight. Be careful not to over tighten.
6. Test Operation
Once installed, open and close doors and drawers to ensure proper clearance and operation. Realign any handles if needed.
7. Clean and Polish
Remove any dirt or fingerprints from the installed handles using mild soap and water. Polish them up with a microfiber cloth to illuminate the beautiful finish.
8. Sit Back and Enjoy Your New Handles!
Adding new hardware is an easy weekend project that can completely transform the look of your kitchen. Enjoy the fresh style and improved function new handles bring.
Do Kitchen Cabinets Need Handles?
The choice between handled and handleless cabinets ultimately comes down to your particular style, preferences and kitchen workflow. Here are some final tips when deciding about kitchen cabinet handles:
- For traditional and transitional cabinetry, handles enhance the look and improve function.
- Highly contemporary cabinets suit the streamlined look of operating handle-free.
- Handles help open heavier or wider cabinets and drawers with ease.
- They provide grip points for children and those with physical limitations.
- Frequently used cabinets benefit from handles for easy access.
- Handles on floor cabinets prevent legs from bumping corners.
- Drawers containing heavier items operate best with handles.
- If opting for a handleless look, make sure cabinets have mechanisms allowing easy access.
- Test handleless cabinets to ensure doors and drawers open smoothly.
- Adding new handles provides an easy style update for existing kitchens.
- Quality handles should be durable, easy to grip, and visually coordinate with the kitchen.
So while not mandatory, kitchen cabinet handles provide both form and function in most kitchens. Evaluate the pros and cons of handles versus going handle-free. And have fun choosing unique handles that reflect your kitchen’s style!