Switching out your cabinet hardware can significantly alter the design and functionality of your storage space!
Cabinetry in your home serves as vital storage and is a frequently utilized feature in room design. Designing your cabinetry to ensure that the cabinet hardware harmonizes with the drawer and door front design and aligns with your overall interior decor is crucial. Selecting the appropriate cabinet hardware has the power to transform the appearance of your cabinetry and enhance the user experience. Whether you're working on kitchens or bathrooms, whether it's a straightforward update of old pulls and knobs or an entirely new cabinet design, our provided tips and strategies will steer you in placing the perfect cabinet hardware.
Embrace Tradition: Opt for Pulls or Knobs
When it comes to choosing cabinet hardware, you'll typically encounter two primary options: cabinet pulls and cabinet knobs. Cabinet pulls have a linear design supported by two posts at either end, allowing you to slide your fingers behind them to open cabinet doors or drawers. On the other hand, cabinet knobs connect to the drawer at a single point using a bolt or screw.
Cabinet knobs come in various designs, such as round, square, geometrics, or custom-made shapes, offering a sleek aesthetic for cabinet doors and drawers.
Traditionally, pulls are commonly used on drawers, while knobs are often found on cabinet doors. Pulls generally require less dexterity and strength than knobs, making them a preferred choice for many cabinet applications.
Pick the Modern Way
In contemporary cabinet designs, there's flexibility in the use of both knobs and pulls. This means you can incorporate knobs on cabinets and attach pulls to the smooth drawers.
Something for Small Drawers
Typically, pulls are favored for drawers due to their user-friendly nature. However, in the case of smaller drawers, like those in a vanity cabinet or a butler's pantry, knobs can be a suitable alternative to pulls. When dealing with smaller drawers, it's essential to position the knob at the center to ensure ideal placement in both directions.
Something for Wider Drawers
A drawer that measures approximately 24 inches in width or wider may benefit from the use of two knobs or pulls. To position them, it's advisable to divide the drawer into thirds and install knobs or pulls on both the left and right segments of the drawer. If you prefer a more streamlined appearance, you can opt for a single, extra-long pull as an alternative to using two smaller pulls or knobs.
Appliance Pulls on Cabinet Frames
When concealing a dishwasher, refrigerator, or wastebasket behind cabinet doors, the hardware pulls can be centrally positioned on the face frames of the drawers and cabinet doors.
Hardware Pulls on Cabinet Face Frames
It's important to note that not all hardware located on the face frame of cabinets needs to be exclusively appliance pulls. Placing pulls on the face frames, especially when the cabinet frame is thicker, such as in base cabinetry, can enhance ease of use and contribute to achieving a sleeker or more modern design.
Add Quality Drawer Slides
A drawer slide plays a crucial role in enabling a drawer to smoothly slide in and out of the furniture it's integrated into. Typically, each drawer is connected to a pair of slides and drawer runners, allowing it to glide along these components when you pull it open. Drawer slides are typically installed in one of three common positions: undermount, side mount, or base mount.
For added convenience, you can also consider using full-extension drawer channels, which offer easy access to everything you store in the drawers.
Non-Functioning Hardware
Keep in mind that not all cabinet hardware serves a functional purpose. For instance, additional drawer pulls or knobs can be incorporated into large refrigerator doors or pantry doors to enhance and round out the overall kitchen and cabinetry design.