Knobs and pulls are essential for the functionality of your kitchen cabinets. But they also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them not only a functional element but also an aesthetic choice. To decide which of these two cabinet hardware choices is best for your cabinet doors, you will need to consider a variety of factors: the style of your kitchen, your cabinet’s functionality, the longevity of the hardware, and your personal preferences. In this guide, we will lay out the various options you can choose from, both functional and aesthetic, to help you decide which one, either knobs or pulls, is best for your kitchen.
Style Choices
There are four main style options for kitchen cabinets: traditional, contemporary, transitional, and rustic styles and we break them down below:
Traditional Kitchens:
A traditional kitchen is one that’s made of natural materials like wood, brick, and stone. The cabinetry is often in warm colored wood like mahogany or cherry (or stained these colors), often with raised panels. If you want your kitchen to look traditional, consider installing decorative and ornate knobs on cabinets. With finishes like aged brass or copper cabinet hardware, these types of knobs complement the traditional vibe of your kitchen.
Modern Kitchens:
Modern kitchens are kitchens that are characterized by a clean and minimalist design. Doors and drawers are usually flat and colors are often white or neutral tones. Pulls complement the aesthetic appeal for such kitchens, providing a sleek look. Some of the most popular pull choices for modern kitchens are matte black or polished nickel pulls. When it comes to shapes, combining both angular shapes, with defined edges and smooth shapes, with rounded edges helps achieve this contemporary design.
Transitional Kitchens:
Transitional kitchens are kitchens that combine traditional and modern design elements. They combine both a mix of natural and man-made material and usually employ a neutral color palette. In this case, feel free to use both knobs and pulls where appropriate. For high-traffic doors on medium ato lower cabinets, use pulls. For higher cabinets, use knobs. Mixing and matching is not an issue in this kitchen, but keeping a consistency of finish is generally a good idea. .
Choosing the Right Finish
Knobs and pulls come in a wide range of finishes which you can choose from depending on the theme of your kitchen. Here are some common examples of cabinet hardware finishes:
Matte Black
Matte black is a popular choice for industrial, minimalist, and modern kitchens. It pairs well with most styles, especially against lighter colors. Cabinet hardware coated with a matte black finish generally doesn’t show dirt easily but when you do want to clean it, it only requires a soft cloth and mild cleaner.
Chrome and Nickel
Another great finish for contemporary kitchens is chrome and nickel, which has a sophisticated look. This finish is durable and matches well with stainless steel appliances. These finishes do leave smudges so be prepared to regularly clean them with a soft cloth, mild soap, and water.
Brass
Brass finishes look timeless and elegant on knobs or pulls. They are a common go-to in traditional kitchens. They pair well with shiny metal sinks or metallic lighting fixtures in traditional and transitional kitchens. Brass can even be used in modern kitchens against white or black cabinetry for a contrasting look. Whether you prefer a traditional or contemporary look, brass is a versatile choice for all situations.
Oil-rubbed Bronze
Oil-rubbed bronze has a brownish black finish that simulates the look of aged bronze. This finish is great for traditional kitchens, really going for an aged, antiquated look. They compliment well with wood tones and earthy color palettes. Nothing says “colonial style” like oil-rubbed bronze does.
Practical Considerations for Knobs and Pulls
When choosing between knobs and pulls, there are actually practical considerations as well. Hardware should be chosen based on its location, frequency of use, and cabinet or door weight. Keeping this in mind will ensure your kitchen is both functional and easy to use.
Functionality and Comfort:
Depending on their size and structure, cabinets have different weights and balances. Therefore it's important to choose the right hardware for your cabinetry to ensure its ease of use. Because a hand can get a full, firm grip on a pull, this hardware choice works better on heavy drawers or on cabinets that you use frequently. On the other hand, knobs are the right choice for lighter weight cabinets, which are usually found above countertops or upper pantries.
Knobs for Upper Cabinets:
Knobs don’t just look good on the upper cabinets, they also function better. Their average diameter of 1-2 inches allows for the use of just the fingertips to open and close cabinet doors. Shorter people find it easier to use a knob for upper cabinetry as they simply need to use their fingers to open a knobbed door as opposed to requiring a full hand to open a door with a pull.
Pulls for Heavy Drawers and Doors
Because lower drawers and cabinets are often heavy or full of utensils, cookware, and other kitchen tools, a solid hardware pull is best for these situations. Pulls on drawers are essential as these sliding containers can hold up to 5 pounds worth of kitchen utensils and other cookware. Lower door cabinets also tend to be larger and heavier than upper cabinets. Due to this fact, it's just more ergonomic to have a pull that can allow for a firm grip for opening and closing. If knobs were used in these situations, they may cause strain on the fingertips that are using the hardware. The average width of a pull is 3-4 inches, accommodating most hand sizes and ensuring a comfortable and secure grip.
Loosening
Knobs do have a tendency to become loose over time. As knobs are only attached to the door with a single screw, regular use of them can cause the nut to slowly loosen around the bolt, causing them to become loose. This can certainly be annoying, especially if they were installed on high traffic doors. If you don’t have the tools to tighten the knob and continue to use it loosely, the bolt may begin to damage the door itself causing greater issues. Because of this, one might choose pulls, as pulls require two bolts and rarely become loose. Or a homeowner might only choose knobs for upper cabinets which have lower traffic, and a less likelihood of loosening.
Relative Scale
Making your kitchen hardware look balanced against the size of the door is an important part of choosing your cabinet hardware. This is where “relative scale” comes into play. Relative scale is the design principle that dictates that the pull should be approximately ⅓ of the length or the width of the drawer or door. Anything bigger or smaller will make the pull look awkward. For example, one would choose 6-inch cabinet pulls for 18-inch wide pantry doors and likewise 3-inch drawer pulls for 12-inch wide drawers. When you apply relative scale, you improve the visual balance of your installation, making the whole project more visibly appealing.
Final Comparison of Knobs vs. Pulls
As you decide which kitchen cabinet hardware is ideal for your kitchen, know that it all depends on what you want to achieve. Here is a quick rundown of the pros and cons of each hardware choice:
Knobs
- Great for traditional and transitional kitchens, less for modern
- Common finishes are brass, copper, nickel, and stainless steel
- Ideal for lighter cabinet doors and upper cabinets.
Pulls
- Ideal for heavy drawers and lower cabinets
- Used often in modern and contemporary kitchens
- Common finishes are matte black, nickel, and stainless steel
- Provide better grip for functionality
- Must employ relative scale to be aesthetically pleasing