Kitchen and bathroom renovations are complex and can involve a lot of decision making. A great kitchen includes the perfect layout and maximum functionality. It’s also a blending and combining of materials to create a whole that’s greater than its parts. One of those little decisions that has a big impact is the cabinetry knobs and pulls. Although they seem insignificant, they can enhance your design and can be the jewelry to your beautiful cabinets.

And while you may look at only the finish when selecting a knob and pull, the shape and quality of the manufacturing are so important. They’ll reinforce your design style when you get it right so spend some time learning about what makes a complementary duo of cabinet doors along with great knobs or pulls.

Knobs & Pulls Style

If you’re replacing the knobs and pulls in your current kitchen with no other changes taking place it’ll be easier to identify the style required. That’s because your kitchen already has a defined style and your job now is to enhance what’s there. You really can make a huge impact on the overall look of your kitchen just by changing the knobs and pulls.

If you’re renovating or building new you’ll want to select your knobs and pulls closer to the end of the design phase when all the other materials have been selected. The selection of materials works in a circular sort of way where everything has to relate perfectly to the rest of the group.

Here are my suggestions for pairing your design style and your knob/pull selections.

Traditional Style

Decorative Pull, Drop Pull, Cup pull, Crystal Knob, Ring Pull, Decorative Knob

If you have a traditional style kitchen your cabinet doors are likely more detailed and ornate. They may also include arches and embellishments. These look great with:

Drop handle pulls
Crystal or glass knobs
Cup pulls
Ornate & detailed knobs & pulls
Finishes in brass and aged brass

Transitional Style

Recessed Edge Pull, Square Knob, Transitional Pull, Ribbed Knob, Cup Pull, Textured Knob

This cabinet style is less detailed than traditional but still has some flair. The most common transitional cabinet style is the Shaker door which has a simple and timeless frame that isn’t overly fussy. This style looks great with:

Combination of sleek simplicity paired with a bit of elegance
Pulls with a traditional shape but with pared back simplicity
Use just pulls, even on cabinet doors
Stainless steel and polished nickel finishes

Contemporary Style

Contemporary Pull, Finger Pull, Modern Knob, Gold Knob, Multi Finish Pull, Bar Pull

This style relies on simplicity for the cabinet and will often have just a flat slab and no details. To reinforce that style, stick with something sleek and simple. Sometimes I use touch latch openers instead of pulls or knobs. If you love an uncluttered look this is a great option.

This style looks great with:

Elongated horizontal bars
Finger pulls that are sleek and almost invisible
Any style knob that is very simple with no embellishments
Chrome or matte black finish

Functionality First

Yes, we all love to focus on design first because a beautiful space is the goal but don’t overlook the function of your knob and pulls. They need to open doors and drawers but they also need to function effectively and feel good in your hand.

If you’re purchasing from a local hardware retailer go and visit and spend time touching everything to see how it feels. It’s amazing how many times a day we’ll be opening and closing doors and drawers. If your selections feel too small or too awkward for your hand you’ll hate them every time you use them.

If you’re purchasing from an online retailer be sure to order a sample of both the knob and pull before you commit to the entire kitchen. You’ll be so thankful you spent the time to get it right.

Quality

This ties directly to the enjoyment as opposed to the functionality of your knobs and pulls. You might see a pull from a big box retailer that looks exactly the same as the much more expensive option at a high end hardware supplier. It might be true that they look similar but quality will be vastly different. The less expensive version may feel light and hollow in your hand. The finish may feel rough and uncomfortable and ultimately this is going to impact how you enjoy your space in the long run. The reason another similar looking item is so much more expensive is because of the higher grade materials used along with a high quality finish.

I’ve written a much more thorough post about selecting metal finishes which you can read here.

Size & Placement

The placement of your knobs and pulls is something you’ll never consider until you’re being asked to make that decision. While there is some flexibility, there are also some best practices that will help keep your style consistent.

I always scale my pulls in accordance with the size of the drawer or door. I use the 1/3 rule which means the pull should be ⅓ of the size of your drawer or door. I think this looks more designed and thoughtful. We often see 128mm pulls on 36" drawers or 42" doors but it’s a cost saving method that can end up looking very generic. When you take more thoughtful consideration of these small elements in a space it can have a massive impact on the overall design.

Typically pulls are positioned horizontally on drawers and vertically on doors. While there are times that a contemporary kitchen will use the pulls horizontally on a door I think it works best to stick with the classic layout, regardless of your style.

PRO TIP: When installing hardware, knobs require a single screw to mount but pulls often use 2 screws to mount. Be sure if you’re just replacing hardware that you know how many screws have been used for installation as well as the distance between them. This is important because there are various dimensions and you could be causing yourself a lot of work if you purchase the wrong dimensions. If the distance isn’t the same you’ll need to fill the old holes, prime and repaint the doors or drawers before drilling for the new size.

Practicality

You’ve likely heard the expression “form follows function” and nowhere is it more true than in the kitchen. Always start with the practicality of the knobs and pulls before you purchase.

A very popular alternative to a large pull for an oversized drawer is to use 2 knobs. This is a great look that’s simple and clean but before you decide to go ahead consider how you live. This is often done on large drawers under your countertop that house heavy pots and pans.

These large drawers might be heavy and difficult to open using just a single knob so you’ll need both hands to be free. Ask yourself if you’ll have 2 free hands available. If you’re a multi-tasking parent who always seems to be carrying a toddler this won’t work. In this case you might find that a drawer pull works much better for you.

Cleaning is another consideration. The more intricately designed knobs and pulls have grooves and indentations that can become grime catchers unless you’re cleaning them regularly. If that’s not your idea of a good time you should opt for something sleek and simple that is easier to keep clean.

I hope this helps give you some direction for purchasing the knobs and pulls to create your dream kitchen or bathroom.

If you’re updating a kitchen or bathroom and need help selecting finishes, reach out to me. I’d love to discuss how I can help you with your project.

Warm regards,

Adrienne

Knobs and Pulls - Which Style Works Best In Your Space