Kitchen Cabinet Pulls

Satin nickel kitchen cabinet pull

What are kitchen cabinet pulls? They are the handles on drawers and knobs on cabinet doors. They can be added to all types of kitchen cabinets because they protect the wood from water and stains. They also make it easier to open and close drawers and cabinets.

Kitchen cabinet pulls are made of almost any kind of material one can name. The material and the design – shape, color – make some more appropriate in some kitchens than others. Some people even keep scraps and broken pieces of tile and use the pieces to make matching kitchen cabinet pulls.

Among the most popular materials for pulls are:

• Chrome
• Wood
• Pewter
• Nickel
• Brushed nickel
• Brass
• Bronze
• Porcelain
• Ceramic

Bright copper kitchen cabinet pull

When choosing kitchen cabinet pulls, it is important to consider how the material will hold up amid the steam of cooking and doing dishes. Some materials cannot be considered because they would rust or calcify. Because they are used heavily, kitchen cabinet handles and knobs must be durable, as well.

Many people select kitchen cabinet pulls to match something else in the kitchen. For example, if they have stainless steel appliances, they might choose nickel, brushed nickel, pewter or chrome. If they want handles and knobs for utility, but want them to be less visible, many people choose wood.

Rubbed bronze kitchen cabinet pull

Often, people who prefer the look of gold, choose brass. Similarly, people who install dark wood cabinets (cherry, mahogany) frequently choose bronze because it is less obvious. Porcelain and ceramic kitchen cabinet pulls can be a good choice if one wants to match sinks or white appliances.

Most knobs are simple round items that screw into the cabinet door. There are styles that include a pendant to make them more elaborate. Knobs range from a simple round metallic piece with a flat end that attaches to the wood, to intricately carved and shaped styles.

Drawer handles are usually wide enough for at least three fingers to go through. They can also be wider. The appropriate size depends on the size of the drawers.

Weathered brass kitchen cabinet pull

The choice of handle shape will be determined to some extent by the style of your kitchen. For example, a contemporary kitchen with smooth, flat surfaces and simple lines needs simple kitchen cabinet pulls. Similarly, in a traditional kitchen, one would probably use more elaborate shapes and designs.

Kitchen cabinet pulls go in the lower corner of the cabinet door (on the edge that opens). Drawer pulls belong in the center of the drawer face. If your cabinet doors attach to the cabinet box in a way that leaves them visible from the outside, it will be important to match the kitchen cabinet pulls to the hardware.

Instead of being overwhelmed by the vast array of kitchen cabinet pulls, one should be thrilled that so many options are available to meet one’s needs. Even the mix-and-match style of a country kitchen, with its unmatched cabinets and cupboards, can be fitted out with the perfect porcelain or ceramic handles and knobs.