How to choose drawer & cupboard handles.

In our latest How-To guide, we outline the considerations to make when selecting cupboard handles and drawer pulls for different projects. Taking in the different styles of cabinetry and its uses including kitchen cupboard handles, wardrobe door handles and replacement drawer handles for old pieces of furniture. Adding new cabinetry to your project be it large or small is a worth while effort resulting in a transformative look to existing room decor. Depending upon your choice of cabinet handle, it can also be a quick and easy update that significantly changes the look of your project.

1. What to consider when choosing new handles

There are a few considerations to take into account when you come to select new or replacement handles.  First and foremost, cupboard door handles and drawer pulls need to work on a practical level. The handle needs to be of sufficient weight and size to draw open a kitchen drawer full of cutlery for example (or the mandatory man drawer, but that's another subject altogether!). The fitting also needs to be of a size relative to the door or drawer with a tactile solid feel to it. This may seem pedantic, but when cooking or clearing up in a kitchen that you use everyday, the design needs to be practical and comfortable and handles are an everyday part of good solid design.

Another consideration is how much DIY you wish to involve in the project? Adding Georgian style brass pulls takes a greater level of DIY skill and time than simply adding a ceramic drawer knob on a threaded bolt- the former requiring an intermediate skill level and the latter being a beginner level with fairly instantaneous results.

And finally, inevitably there is a budget consideration relative to the materials involved. ceramic drawer pulls are a fairly inexpensive investment, as are wooden handles. Brass, iron and copper handles will be more of an investment. 

2. Creating The Desired Finish

Kitchen cabinetry can be used to complete the desired look of your kitchen design, elevating the design quality of the project.

For a traditional English kitchen that offers a timeless classic design, look no further than the traditional drawer cup pull. Solid and simple in design, this handle will add the finishing touch to painted shaker style cabinetry. Sited centrally on the drawer, these beautifully shaped handles bring understated symmetry & order. The finish is dependent upon the colour and paint finish of your kitchen. I personally love the soft hues of an antique brass cup pull. But a simple black draw pull can offer a striking contrast against a stronger grey, blue or even white drawer. Chrome or polished steel drawer cup pulls work well with sleek modern kitchen design, though I personally feel they look a little too clinical, I prefer a more relaxed look to my kitchen! 

Match the drawer cup pull with a classic metal cabinet knob. There are various shapes to finish including oval cabinet knob, round cabinet knob or a flat finish. Selected a cupboard handle in the same corresponding finish will complete the look.

Another option is a pull handle, used vertically or horizontally, this handle can be applied to both cupboards and drawers to create a simple pared back look to the kitchen. This design can be used to great effect in both a contemporary or traditional kitchen.

3. Ceramic Drawer Handles

Ceramic drawer pulls and knobs are perhaps the easiest way to update any type of drawer or cupboard. Available in a myriad of designs, shapes and colours, these hand made ceramic drawer pulls are ideal kitchen knobs and chest of drawers handles. But I find them most effective as replacement wardrobe handles. The hand painted design of the handle can be incorporated to match existing decor and themes, and these pretty ceramic door pulls add a more informal look. Adding a ceramic handle is an entry level DIY task, that is also a very quick job-perfect for those low on time and patience!

4. Glass Cabinet Handles

Likewise, glass handles are a good choice as wardrobe door handles. Available in different shapes and sizes as well as colours, a glass cupboard handle will give add elegance to a wardrobe. We stock an antique finish glass handle and of all our range, this will be the most popular for use on bedroom fittings.

5. Novelty Drawer Pulls

And finally, the novelty drawer pull and cabinet handle. I detest the word novelty as it represents the suggestion of the item being throw away or fast fashion. In reality, these solid pulls are made from beautiful materials and are beautifully finished. At Bowley & Jackson we offer a range of drawer pulls including hare drawer handles, fox drawer handles as well as dachshunds and stirrups. These add design features to one off projects such as a cabinet or desk and can also be used to great effect in a child's room.

We have offered our range of cabinet and drawer handles since we began importing handmade ceramic draw pulls from India when we started the business. Today we offer a wide range of modern and traditional handcrafted cupboard knobs, drawer pulls and kitchen cabinet handles. Our range is available in a wide selection of finishes including brass, iron, copper, polished steel ceramic & glass. Each fixture and fitting is hand chosen, offering durability and practical design quality to help bring your room together.