Simple Tips for Selecting Furniture Handles for Modern Cabinets

From selecting lighting to picking paint – there are many major decisions involved in the process of making a house a home. With all these moving parts, it can be hard to remember that design is in the details too. And hardware is a detail that can easily become an afterthought. But the right knob or pull can make a serious visual impact, elevating the room in a way that is easy and effortless. And when you think about the countless times that cabinet hardware is used throughout everyday undertakings, it becomes clear that the value and joy that a well-made piece of hardware brings is well worth the investment.

Simply put, investing in heirloom-quality hardware is an easy way to elevate the everyday. So, whether you’re building a brand new kitchen, working on a bathroom remodel, or simply want to swap out some existing hardware on a thrifted furniture find, we’ve put together a simple and straightforward how-to, to help you choose the perfect cabinet hardware for your space.

First, decide if you’d like to use all knobs, all pulls, or a combo of both. While there are no hard and fast rules, it’s generally a lot easier to open a cabinet with a knob and a drawer with a pull. With that said, there are plenty of exceptions. For instance, installing drawer pulls vertically may work best for bathroom baseboard cabinets. If you want to elevate existing furniture (such as a side table or media console), you may decide that small knobs add the perfect amount of visual impact over a longer pull. When thinking about hardware type, try to envision what will feel the most functional for your lifestyle.

Knobs have smaller profiles than handles, are less expensive, and can be used for both drawers and cabinets. They are slightly easier to install than pulls since you only need one screw to secure the knob to the surface.

Pulls are larger than knobs, make more of a statement, and tend to be easier to grip. They are more expensive than pulls, but they come in many different sizes. They tend to complement drawers or larger cabinets with their linear shape.

Once you’ve decided on hardware type, you’ll want to think about what style suits your space best. Hardware with ridges, curved silhouettes, and textured detailing typically work well with traditional or heritage-inspired designs. Modern cabinetry tend to have clean lines and edges with a sleek, minimal profile that is smooth to the touch.

Next, you’ll want to consider the material and finish. Cabinet hardware works best when it adds contrast to the room. What color are your cabinets? What about your appliances, faucet, and lighting? What color are your hinges? In general, warmer toned spaces with brass cabinetry have a vintage feel to them, while cooler tones with darker cabinet hardware lean more contemporary. 

With that said, your space should be a reflection of your personal design choices, so don’t be afraid to break the rules or mix metals. We’ve seen plenty of kitchens with brass lighting and black hardware or vice versa. If you typically want everything to match but have stainless steel appliances, try selecting black cabinet hardware. Not only does it match with all finishes, but it also keeps your space feeling clean and well-coordinated.

Drawers and cabinets range in size, so it can be difficult to determine what size you need. While there is no set rule, we generally recommend that the pull length is approximately 1/3 of the cabinet or drawer width.

Medium Drawers that are between 12” to 30” work well with a pull that is between 4” to 8” long or a knob that is between 1” to 1.5” in diameter

Large Drawers that are 30” to 48"will require a pull that is longer than 8" or a knob that is 1" in diameter or greater. Using two pulls or knobs for a large drawer also works great.

Last but not least, cabinet hardware placement is an important aspect of kitchen or furniture design. Proper placement not only enhances the aesthetics of the space but also ensures functionality and ease of use. Here are some general tips to get you started:

To ensure consistent placement across all cabinets and drawers, consider using templates or jigs. These tools can help you mark the exact placement for each piece of hardware. It\'s also a good idea to create a mock-up using tape or temporary adhesive to visualize how it will look before drilling holes. 

Hopefully, this simple how-to serves as a helpful starting point when shopping for cabinet hardware. In the end, experimentation is the best way to dial in your personal preference because every room has its own unique set of requirements. If you find yourself unsure of what you’d like, we recommend you place a smaller order of hardware. Take some time to try different styles, sizes, and finishes to see how the swap impacts your space.

Whether it’s swapping dated hardware for something new or picking cabinet hardware for a brand-new space, it adds so much to the overall design. However, when the hardware is poorly placed or with wonky function, it can make an otherwise amazing space look off. That’s why we’ve decided to pull together a few small tricks for making sure you pick and place your hardware correctly. We hope to make it easier with some tips and tricks we’ve learned along the way.

We are always quick to point out that there are exceptions to every rule and that sometimes the space dictates whether you follow the rules or not, but as a general rule of thumb if a drawer is wider than 24″ you should adorn it with two drawer pulls instead of one. To place this hardware correctly, divide the drawer into thirds and place the hardware in the left and right portions of the drawer. Browse some past Studio McGee projects below for inspiration on when Shea and the design team opted for one pull over two.

These two words are often used interchangeably as they’re often the same shape, but in reality there is a difference. The traditional definition of each is knobs are used for doors and pulls are for drawers. Sometimes Shea and the design team will break this rule for small drawers or small spaces, like bathrooms, but in general, it’s a good rule of thumb to guide you in your hardware selection and purchase.

If you’re looking at it from a whole, there are a lot of options for the materials used in your hardware. There are glass pulls, wood pulls, and even ceramic pulls. But in general there are four stalwarts that you’ll typically have to choose from. These are black, nickel, bronze, and brass. Each of these often come in varying finishes like polished, matte, antique, oil-rubbed, brushed, and unlaquered. These are best chosen in person, as it’s important to hold them in your hand and compare them against the finishes in the rest of the space. If ordering online, try to go into a hardware store beforehand so you can at least get a feel for the finished product.

As always, what you like in your own space is up to you, but there are some general rules to follow if you’re confused on what to use in a modern style home versus a more traditional home.

For modern or transitional spaces, knobs and pulls can be used interchangeably. You can add pulls on all cabinetry for a sleek look or use long pulls vertical and horizontal.

In traditional spaces, the general rule applies, which is knobs are for doors and pulls are for drawers.

There are a few unique design elements to hardware that Shea and the design team like to use. The first is a backplate, which is a plate behind the knob or pull. This style is a good way to add dimension and texture, and to elevate the hardware as a piece of art rather than a streamlined piece of utility. You can see examples of this in the kitchen of our Hilltop Estate project.

Another fun design element is a vintage-style latch, which has pieces of hardware on both sides of the door. Shea choose a door latch in the upper cabinetry of her own home.

Lastly, Shea and the design team like to use bin pulls, which have a cup you slide your fingers under in order to pull open the drawer. These give a classic, time-honored look reminiscent of a library.