Cabinet handles and knobs make an important contribution to both the practicality and appearance of your kitchen hardware. Personal preferences play a role, but it’s equally important to be strategic and mindful when shopping for cupboard handles and knobs. When it comes to quality and material choice, cabinet hardware can vary significantly from one product and manufacturer to the next.
What are cabinet handles & knobs
Whether building a new kitchen from scratch or enhancing an existing living space, suitable cupboard door handles can make a real difference. In fact, it’s perfectly possible to transform the dynamic of an entire room, simply by switching out the existing cupboard handles for more attractive and eye-catching alternatives.
Though primarily practical in nature, kitchen handles are about far more than pulling out drawers and opening cabinet doors. Drawer handles and cupboard knobs can blend in seamlessly with their surroundings, or stand out as an ornate point of focus in their own right. Knowing where to start can seem difficult with so much choice, but it’s simply a case of pairing your personal preferences with the highest-quality door knobs available from an established manufacturer.
Types of cupboard hardware
Traditional handles and knobs around the home are usually made from solid brass, which is subsequently plated or polished. The most popular finishes for cupboard and drawer furniture are polished brass, polished chrome, satin chrome and satin nickel. Polished brass is simply the base material polished to a perfect lustre then lacquered with a protective coating, whereas polished chrome and satin chrome use a brass base which is subsequently chrome plated.
Increasingly, manufacturers are bringing other materials and finishes into their latest collections. Some cabinet knobs are designed to maximise cost-effectiveness, whereas others bring additional sophistication and prestige.
Stainless steel cupboard handles
One of the most popular materials available for fashioning cabinet handles and knobs is stainless steel. Exceptionally practical and hardwearing, stainless steel handles are also relatively cheap and can be finished in an endless variety of ways. Stainless steel can be used to create ultra-modern and rustic door handle finishes alike, in accordance with the buyer’s preferences.
Rustic fittings can also be manufactured from cast iron, which tends to be a slightly more expensive option.
Porcelain cupboard handles
Practical and prestigious, porcelain handles are another popular choice for kitchen cabinets, drawers and internal doors in general. Boasting an extensive lifespan and zero maintenance requirements, porcelain knobs and handles can be finished in almost any colour or design.
The same also applies to glass, acrylic and crystal knobs, which are becoming popular in homes of distinction worldwide. Particularly suitable for kitchen cabinets and drawers, these translucent materials bring a beautiful burst of colour and sparkle to any interior space. All with the added bonus of exceptional durability and overall value for money.
Wooden cupboard handles
Extremely lightweight and practical, wooden knobs and handles are ideal for all purposes across the home. Not only are quality wooden components cost-effective, but they’re also 100% recyclable and therefore considered eco-friendly.
Wooden handles can be designed and finished to suit almost any interior space. They’re also among the most versatile and understated cabinet fittings available for the bedroom and kitchen.
How to choose kitchen handles & knobs
Choosing the right interior fittings means first considering where and how they are to be used. For example, handles and knobs to be used in a high-traffic kitchen or bathroom may need to be more durable and hardwearing than those used in a bedroom. Along with ensuring the visual aspect of the cupboard hardware matches its surroundings, quality and durability and should be taken into account.
The same also goes for the comfort and practicality of the door knobs you choose. This is particularly important where heavier drawers and cabinet doors are concerned, which require more effort to open than others. If you do not choose handles or knobs of the appropriate size and shape, opening and closing your cabinets and drawers could become unnecessarily difficult.
Even more importantly, it’s essential to consider the physical compatibility of your chosen handles and knobs with your drawers and cabinet doors. This means taking into account where you intend to fit them, the materials you’ll be working with and any specialist tools or equipment that may be required. Where possible, it’s also advisable to buy cabinet and drawer fittings exclusively from established and reputable manufacturers.
How to maintain cabinet handles & knobs
For the most part, maintaining handles and knobs is as simple as keeping them clean and sanitary to prolong their lifespan. Most handles can be cleaned with a quick wipe using nothing more than a damp cloth, or an approved cleaning product (in accordance with the materials).
Handles and knobs can also be protected from damage by handling them with care and avoiding overly aggressive opening or closing of your cabinets and drawers.
