How to Choose Kitchen Handles

Aged Brass 100mm Moore Edge Pull, from our current range.

Getting kitchen handles right

Kitchen handles get more daily use than almost any other hardware in the house, and with dozens of cupboards and drawers to fit, getting the choice right matters both for looks and for your budget. This guide covers the main decisions: style, size, hole centres and finish.

Knobs, pulls, cup pulls or edge pulls?

• Cabinet knobs – a single fixing point, generally the most affordable option and easy to grip, see our Cabinet Knobs guide
• Cup pulls – recessed handles that sit into the edge of a drawer front, a popular choice for a traditional shaker-style kitchen, see our Cup Pulls guide
• Edge pulls – a slim handle that fixes to the top edge of a door or drawer front, giving a minimal, almost handle-free look popular in contemporary kitchens
• Finger pulls – a routed or fitted channel rather than a protruding handle, for a completely flush, handle-free door front, see our Finger Pulls guide

Getting the size right

As a rough guide, larger doors generally suit a longer bar handle, while smaller drawer fronts suit a knob or a shorter pull. See our What Size Cabinet Handles? guide for detailed sizing advice and hole centre measurements.

Choosing a finish

Aged and satin brass have become the most requested kitchen handle finishes in recent years, particularly in shaker-style kitchens, while black and pewter suit a more contemporary or industrial look. See our full Hardware Finishes Guide.

A note on ordering for a full kitchen

When ordering handles for a full kitchen, it is worth ordering one or two extra of your chosen handle. This covers any fitting mistakes and gives you a spare to match if a handle is ever damaged later, since ranges and finishes can be discontinued or updated over time.

Related guides

Browse our Cabinet & Furniture Hardware range, or see our full Cabinet & Furniture Hardware Guide.

Frequently asked questions

Should I choose knobs or pulls for a kitchen?

Both are widely used; knobs tend to suit doors and smaller drawers, while pulls suit larger drawers where a wider grip is more comfortable. Many kitchens mix the two, using knobs on doors and pulls on drawers.

What handle finish is most popular for kitchens?

Aged and satin brass are currently the most requested finishes for shaker-style kitchens, while black and brushed steel remain popular for contemporary designs.

How many spare handles should I order?

Ordering one or two extra handles beyond what you need is worth doing, as it gives you a matching spare should a handle be damaged after the range or finish is later discontinued or updated.

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