Tips For Mixing Knobs And Pulls On Kitchen Cabinets
Redoing your kitchen cabinetry can be extremely overwhelming, especially if you are mixing the knobs and the pulls on your cabinets. Some people do it for functionality, while others do it for the aesthetic. But how exactly do you mix these together without making it look all funky? (And we’re not talking about ’70s funky; we mean unappealing to the eye).
It is best to put knobs on all your cabinet doors or only on the sidewalls outside your kitchen’s primary workspace. Make sure that all pulls and knobs are in the same finish and by the same brand. If you choose different brands, get some samples to ensure they match each other.
Redoing your kitchen knobs and handles does not have to be overwhelming! Below, we will share a few tips and tricks to make this less overwhelming for you overall.
All Cabinet Doors Should Have Knobs
Knobs are a lot cheaper and so much easier to install. Plus, they add a lot of character to your kitchen. It’s easier to open your cabinet doors when you have knobs on them as opposed to handles.
How many times have you opened one with handles only for your fingers to get stuck or for your fingers to get bent backwards? Doesn’t feel very good.
It takes most of the stress off the decision-making portion of the plans if you choose for each cabinet door to have a knob. There are many different designs and colors to choose from!
Only Put Knobs On Sidewalls
Knobs appear less intrusive because they are a part of the hallway that leads to the kitchen. Having this rule in place when choosing between knobs and handles will ultimately help you to cut down on the number of handles you need. This helps to save you some money.
Think of your kitchen workspace as a triangle or a square. Any drawer that is outside of that primary space should have a knob.
Put Knobs On Your Kitchen Island
You hardly ever see the hardware of your cabinets unless you’re behind the kitchen island. So, because it’s not on display for the world to see (or your guests), you can justify spending a few bucks on cheap knobs.
However, if you have a garbage drawer in your kitchen, this should be equipped with a handle as it’s more practical because it gets used more often.
Extra Wide Drawers Should Have Long Pulls
The range’s surrounding drawers are all 30′′ or 36′′ in width. They require long pulls for functional reasons. However, since these drawers are visible, it is a good idea to splurge a bit on some nice handles that match your knobs and cabinetry.
Remember that your knobs and pulls don’t have to be the same style to match. Just make sure you choose the exact finish (our next point) so that it doesn’t clutter the kitchen with styles that clash.
Choose One Finish
When merging different styles, using the same finishing throughout will make everything appear unified and consistent.
Keep in mind to use the same color, metal, and shine throughout. The appearance of polished nickel and brushed nickel are significantly distinct.
We strongly advise staying with the same brand. One brand’s metallic finish could be vastly different from another brand that has the same finish. Be careful to get samples first to see everything together, especially if you combine brands.
Blending metals is absolutely doable, but it is more challenging to achieve the desired effect, particularly when mixing styles.
Stay Consistent
Count the number of drawer fronts you have and write down their purpose. Determine what designs you could apply to each category after that.
Use pulls instead of knobs, for instance, on all drawers and doors. Alternately, use pulls instead of knobs on all lower cabinets and locks on all higher cabinets.
Make sure you don’t eventually wind up with only one of a particular type if you’re employing a variety of knob or pull types. A good mixture of each type is what most people desire.
Everything Should Blend Together
Make sure the various aesthetics blend together while yet standing out with their own individual characters. If you have one that stands out completely, most people would assume you made a mistake. So, but ensuring it all blends, you’ll forgo that embarrassment.
Ensure that you adhere to the same “theme” as well. Usually, you wouldn’t want to combine an elaborate and classic knob with a highly modern bar pull with European accents.
Can You Mix Knobs And Handles On Kitchen Cabinets?
Could you imagine if your choice was only knobs or only handles? Of course you can mix and match!
Mixing and matching your knobs and handles gives your kitchen that extra character that you look for. Just make sure that they’re all in the same finish, and that they tie into the kitchen, and match each other.
How Do You Decide Between Knobs And Pulls?
Knobs can be used on drawers and cabinets and have a smaller profile than handles. They are also less expensive.
Since only one screw is required to attach the knob to the surface, they are a little simpler to install than pulls. Pulls are more noticeable than knobs, bigger, and typically easier to hold.
So, how you decide on one versus the other is completely up to you. It depends on your personal preferences, your style, and the end result that you are shooting for.
What Looks Better Knobs Or Pulls?
Both knobs and pulls have their own little characteristics that they add to your kitchen, so it’s not really about which one looks better than the other overall.
Instead, consider their usage, appeal, and how you want your kitchen to look when it’s done. That should help you figure out what one looks best for your space.
When deciding whether one should select a knob, a pull, or both, there are no hard and fast rules to follow. A choice is to use drawer pulls and knobs on all of the furniture’s doors. Use a pull for any large door, such as a pantry door, and any pull-out door (such as a base pantry or a trash pull-out).
Is It Better To Put Knobs Or Pulls On Cabinets?
Knobs frequently make it simpler to open higher cabinets. Conversely, pulls make operating lower cabinets simpler.
Some people prefer to put pulls on all their lower cabinets and knobs on their higher ones. It depends on how you use your kitchen and your preferred functionality.
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Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.
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