Kitchen handles are an essential part of kitchen design—not only because they often provide aesthetic embellishments to cupboards and drawers, but they are also the part of the kitchen you will most often touch. Because of this, it always surprises us how underappreciated and overlooked they are in the overall design process.

This guide will help ensure that you don’t overlook the importance of kitchen handles by providing you with insight into the key types of kitchen handles, and how to choose which one’s right for you.

Let’s jump in.

Types of Kitchen Handles

·        Bar Handles

These are perhaps the most common and universal design of handle. They are formed of a single bar rigidly attached to the cupboard at two anchor points—providing incredible strength and durability. The ability to have longer and shorter bars allows for a wide variety of options, even when sticking to a singular handle design. Moreover, bar handles are well suited to longer drawers as they circumvent the need for multiple handles.

Due to their universality, these handles are well suited to almost any kitchen style, from modern to traditional. As such, they are often the go-to design for most homes.

·        Bow Handles

As a close relative of the bar handle, bow handles have an iconic bowed shape. Beyond their unique design, they provide much the same flexibility and functionality as  the bar handle.

While this handle originated in the early 20^th century, it is still very well suited to modern kitchens thanks to its elegant, eccentric and flamboyant design.

·        Cup Handles

Immediately recognisable as one of the most ornate, vintage and traditional designs, the cup handle provides a warm, comforting, old-timey feeling to any kitchen space.

Cup handles are hard-wearing, rigid and incredibly easy to clean despite their unique design.

The only slight drawback of cup handles can be the need to have multiple individual handles placed along longer drawers—however such a requirement undoubtedly adds to their aesthetic appeal.

·        Knobs

The knob is the iconic handle, often forming a circle shape when looked ad dead-on. However, the knob is far more than a mere circle, with plenty of design options available to choose from.

Due to its variety, the knob can vary in its aesthetic—easily shifting from minimalist to rustic or traditional. This means the knob is well suited to many, many kitchen designs.

The material of the knob is one of the most important considerations, with chrome working well with modern kitchens while nickel or pewter finishes provide a more traditional feel.

·        Edge Handles

Edge handles are undoubtedly modern, with their minimalist design jutting out from just above or beside the drawer or cupboard door.

As this type of handle is less common, it can be harder to procure the perfect handle for your kitchen, however given it’s modern appeal there are certainly a wide variety to choose from

·        Recessed Handles

Recessed handles come in two main types:

First you have the more-or-less invisible recessed handles which blend seamlessly with the cupboard or drawer design. These types of handle are often built directly into the door themselves.

Secondly, there is the contrasting recessed handle that retains all the aesthetic presence of the other types of handle without providing the protrusion.

Given their relative invisibility, recessed handles are, generally, great for a modern, minimalist style kitchens but with a true designer’s eye they can become as aesthetic as other types of kitchen handles.

Choosing the Right Handle for Kitchen Cupboards

Generally speaking there are four key considerations that should run through your mind when selecting the kitchen handle for you.

• Overall Design Language. First consider what the overall style and theme of the kitchen is. This can generally be broken down into whether your kitchen is modern or traditional in style.
• Surrounding Materials. Next, think about what materials and finishes are present in the kitchen? Your choice of worktop, cabinet design and finish will all have a profound impact on which handles, finishes and colours will best suit your kitchen.
• Comfort or Physical Requirements. Third, it’s valuable to consider the user experience of the handle and whether it will align with your preferences, or any physical requirements your family may have. For example, if any resident struggles to grip small objects, it’s worth sticking to larger, easier to grab bar-like handles.
• Colour and Finish. The final consideration is purely aesthetic and that is of colour and finish. Here you’ll want to think about whether you want the handles to match (blend in) or contrast (stand out from) your cupboard design. Generally speaking, traditional kitchens will use contrasting handles while modern kitchens employ more matching/invisible designs. But that is not a set-in-stone rule by any means!

With all of this, you are hopefully feeling one step closer to choosing the perfect handles for your kitchen cupboard. Never forget, kitchen handles are far more important than they are often regarded—so do take some time to make the right decision to suit both your aesthetic preferences and those of your kitchen.