You’ve probably never given much thought to the cabinet knobs or pulls in your kitchen, but they are an important part of any remodeling project. Surprisingly, these small pieces of hardware can often make or break the overall look of a kitchen.
With knobs and pulls, it’s both a matter of aesthetics and functionality. So what kitchen cabinet hardware should you go with? Let’s find out.
What are Knobs?
Knobs are small, typically round handles attached to kitchen cabinets and drawers. They are about an inch in diameter. Knobs can go with just about any kitchen design, though they are more suitable for classic or traditional kitchen themes.
Pros of Door Knobs
- Timeless Appeal: Knobs have a timeless appeal and can be used in both modern and traditional kitchen remodels. Using knobs on kitchen cabinets lends a classic, traditional charm to kitchens.
- Versatility: Knobs are incredibly versatile in design and material. Typically, they are made from brass, porcelain, cut glass, wood, or bronze. You can choose a material, style, and design that perfectly complements your kitchen’s personality.
- Compact Size: Knobs are an ideal choice for smaller cabinets. If you are remodeling the kitchen with limited space, knobs can fit neatly on any cabinet door or drawer.
- Uniform Look: Knobs are an excellent way to create a consistent look, bringing a sense of order and elegance to the kitchen.
- Easy Installation: Knob hardware is generally easy to install. Most knobs require just a single screw, making installation quick and straightforward.
- Budget-Friendly: Given their small size and simple design, knobs are often more budget-friendly than pulls.
Cons of Door Knobs
- Limited Grip: People with arthritis and limited hand dexterity may find it hard to use kitchen cabinets with knobs.
- Snagging: With a protruding design, knobs tend to catch on clothing. This could prove to be inconvenient and might even lead to accidents.
- Less Ergonomic: While knobs may work well on cabinets, they may not be a great fit for drawers. They may require more effort to pull, especially on heavier drawers.
- Cleaning: The base of knobs can accumulate dirt and grease, making them tough to keep clean, especially if they have intricate designs.
- Limited Styles: While versatile, knobs might not make as strong a design statement as pulls. This is often one of the reasons why homeowners choose pulls over knobs.
- Subtle Impact: Unlike kitchen cabinet pulls; knobs are less noticeable. Avoid them if you want to make a bold design statement.
What are Pulls?
Pulls are handles used to open kitchen cabinets and drawers. They are often longer and more noticeable than knobs. They come in different shapes, sizes, and materials. Available as simple metal bars or intricately designed decorative handles, you can often choose a kitchen cabinet pull to suit practically any design or budget.
Pros of Door Pulls
- Better Grip: It’s easy to grab kitchen cabinet pulls. People with limited hand dexterity or arthritis can usually grab pulls for kitchen cabinets and drawers with ease.
- Ergonomic Design: Pulls are more ergonomic than knobs allowing you to open even large and heavy cabinet doors or drawers with minimal effort. Their ergonomic design makes kitchens more accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
- Visual Impact: Compared to door knobs, pulls can make a bold design statement. They can become the focal point of a kitchen theme.
- Versatility: Like knobs, pulls come in different sizes, styles, and finishes (Holland’s can help you experiment with samples and mockups to find something that brings your kitchen remodel together.)
- Cleaning: Compared to knobs, pulls are less likely to gather dust or kitchen grime and are usually easier to clean.
Cons of Door Pulls
- Space: Pulls take up more space than knobs. They may not be a good choice if you have limited kitchen space. Small kitchens often need custom cabinets and drawers, which require smaller handles like door knobs.
- Snagging: Like knobs, pulls can also catch on clothing.
- Cost: Kitchen cabinet pulls are typically more expensive than knobs. Generally, the more intricately designed and larger a pull is, the more it will cost. That said, if you are willing to go with a simple design, you can usually find pulls within your budget.
- Installation: Unlike knobs, pulls need two screws. That means every kitchen cabinet pull requires precise measurements for drilling two holes. This makes installation more complicated and time-consuming.
- Cleaning: While generally easier to clean than knobs, large and decorative pulls can collect more dust. They need regular cleaning. You might also need special cleaners or polish to keep your metal kitchen cabinet pulls shiny.
- Damage: If not installed correctly, pulls can loosen over time, and loosened pulls tend to damage cabinet doors or drawers.
- Limited Design Options for Smaller Cabinets: Pulls are larger than knobs. As a result, they are often not a good fit for smaller cabinets.
Knobs or pulls: What Sets Them Apart
To choose between knobs or pulls, let’s do a quick comparison of key differences to help you pick the right cabinet hardware for your kitchen remodel.
Design and Shape:
Knobs are typically round and small. They are an excellent choice for small cabinets and drawers. Pulls are longer and can vary in design. They are a preferred choice for larger cabinets and drawers.
Grip:
Pulls offer a larger and more natural grip surface. Even people with limited hand dexterity can open kitchen cabinets with pulls. On the other hand, knobs may not provide the same level of comfort when gripping.
Functionality:
Pulls are more functional for frequent use and for larger cabinets. Knobs are a good choice for smaller doors and drawers.
Aesthetic Appeal:
Knobs have a subtler, classic visual appeal, while pulls can be more of a statement piece in the kitchen.
Space:
Compared to knobs, pulls require more space. They are an excellent fit for large cabinets and drawers. Knobs can go with pretty much anything.
Quick Tips for Choosing the Right Hardware for Your Kitchen
Whether knobs or pulls are a better choice for your kitchen comes down to your needs, budget, and design choices.
Consider Your Needs:
If you have children or elderly family members, pulls are the right choice. Pulls are easy for all age groups to use. Secondly, think about how frequently you use your kitchen. Once again, pulls are an excellent choice if you use your kitchen more frequently.
Consult Cabinet Experts:
Talk to professionals like the team at Holland’s Custom Cabinets. We encourage clients to ask questions and we’re happy to help them test how different knobs or pulls might look and work in their kitchen, either virtually or with actual samples. We find this approach is often critical to the success of many custom kitchen cabinet remodels.
Consider Proper Installation and Maintenance
Selecting the right knobs or pulls is only a job half done. Installation and maintenance are other critical factors to consider.
Professional Installation:
While DIY is cheaper, professional installation is the preferred option. Cabinet experts can install knobs or pulls correctly the first time, without damaging cabinets or drawers.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance:
With both knobs or pulls, regular maintenance is critical. Well-maintained cabinet hardware can last for years. We recommend using a dry cloth to clean kitchen hardware regularly, at least once every two weeks. A mixture of warm water and soap is often all that’s needed to remove grease, food, and grime.
Timely Repairs:
Even when installed properly, knobs or pulls can come loose, especially after frequent or rough use. Address minor repairs immediately. Doing so can help you avoid costly kitchen cabinet replacements down the line.
Knobs or Pulls: We Are Here to Help!
Choosing between knobs or pulls comes down to weighing the functional needs of cabinet hardware with kitchen theme/design preferences and your budget. Holland’s Custom Cabinets is glad to help at any step along the way, especially if you can’t make up your mind. Give us a call at 619.443.6081 or connect with us online to explore your options.
