How to choose handles for a kitchen set

Selection rules

Handles for kitchen furniture can be completely different, but for any option there are common requirements:

• Opening comfort. You will use kitchen handles more often than any other - they should be ergonomic and fit comfortably in your hand.
• Safety. The accessories should not be traumatic: check them for sharp edges, nicks and other defects to avoid damaging your palm.
• Proportionality. Kitchen furniture of the same size will look good with the same handles. If the dimensions are different, it is better to choose different sizes of handles for the kitchen: larger and smaller.
• Harmony. The dimensions of the fittings are selected not only to match the furniture, but also to the size of the kitchen. The optimal solution for a small kitchen is mortise or compact models that do not protrude and will not interfere with movement around the room.

The photo shows an option for using black fittings in a light kitchen

Types of handles

Kitchen handles are divided into 4 main types.

• Railing. Translated from English, rail means rail, fence or railing. It looks like a straight bar on two handrails at a 90 degree angle. Due to its laconic appearance, it is most often used in modern kitchens in high-tech, loft, scandi, and modern styles. The sizes of handles of this type vary from 9.8 to 60.8 cm.

• Brace. Standard option. There are two forms: U-shaped or arc-shaped. There are many models differing in design and material. For modern styles, practical chrome-plated furniture handles are suitable, for classic kitchens - bronze, gold, blackened. They are often made of metal, look reliable, and are therefore considered strong and durable. Not suitable for sets with a large number of narrow facades.

• Button. The appearance resembles a fungus on a leg, and has a different fastener than the first two options - only one screw. Because of this, they are not suitable for massive, long and heavy doors. Stylistically, it is most suitable for kitchens in Provence or country style, but some round models will look appropriate even on classic carved doors and modern minimalist ones. Knob handles on wall cabinets are often combined with rails or brackets on lower modules.

• Mortise. Their main advantage is that they are installed flush into the facade, which means nothing will stick out on the surface and the kitchen will become safer. However, it is almost impossible to install them yourself, and in terms of comfort of use, the built-in handles are inferior to rails or brackets.

Choosing handles for the kitchen - tips

Hidden handles are popular these days. Almost all headsets are produced with this type of fittings on the facade. Designers advise introducing modern furniture into apartments, but we do not completely agree with this statement. Look at the comparison table of the pros and cons of hidden handles and draw your own conclusions.

The selected fittings should complement the kitchen set - you should not blindly chase fashion.

What characteristics are important when choosing?

The modern market is oversaturated with various models of handles for kitchen furniture, so be sure to evaluate all the necessary parameters before purchasing.

• Size. The length of the brackets and rails depends on the center-to-center distance. Among the huge assortment you will find both miniature 16 mm models and noticeable options measuring more than a meter. Professionals advise choosing options that occupy 50-80% of the width of the facade. Such models will look stylish and modern. If your goal is an elegant interior, choose the thinnest small handles. Large, wide designs, on the contrary, will become a bold accent - this is especially true for button handles.

The photo shows long modern roof rails

• Form. Handles, rails, buttons are not all the available options. Recently, the shell has been popular - its streamlined, curved shape allows you to grab it only from below. Brass, copper, bronze shells are appropriate in country, scandi, and Provence styles. Forgotten, but no less original, teardrop handles with a hinged leg and a hanging part for gripping. It is rarely used in kitchens due to its inconvenience, but is suitable for creating an ambience - for example, as a handle on a sideboard or buffet. The teardrop shape of the ring provides a more comfortable grip. Thanks to the rounded shape, the fittings smooth out sharp corners and balance the space. Depending on the design, they suit different styles: smooth chrome ones fit into high-tech, engraved or carved ones into classics and baroque.

• Material. Most kitchen furniture handles are made of metal. The most popular alloy is zinc + aluminum. With simple care, the fittings will last for many years, maintaining their original appearance. Chrome-plated door handles are best suited for fashionable modern furniture (gray, white, dark), bronze, brass, gold or silver plating - a classic kitchen style. Gold-plated handles with ceramic inserts look very romantic. And if you combine acrylic or glass with chromed metal, you will get fittings in a modern style. Plastic handles are considered the most inexpensive - they are less durable, but some models look no different from metal.

Manufacturing materials

The highest quality, strongest, most durable materials for the manufacture of furniture handles are metal alloys based on aluminum with zinc or magnesium. A thin film of galvanic coating serves as a protective layer and at the same time a decor for them. Such elements can be chrome-plated, nickel-plated, matte, glossy, with patina, coated with gold, silver, copper. Bronze looks interesting. In addition to metal, furniture handles are made:

• made of wood;
• plastic;
• porcelain;
• rock crystal.

Sometimes ceramics are used to make handles.

Handles for kitchen cabinets can be combined from several materials (for example, wood and metal), inlaid with natural stones, rhinestones, and Swarovski crystals. Designers even offer rope elements for furniture. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, the varnish surface of wooden ones quickly wears off and will have to be restored again. The metal must have a coating applied by galvanic method, and after cutting the thread for fastening, so that corrosion does not appear in this place.

Characteristics of beech furniture panels, main advantages

Ceramic and porcelain handles are fragile and require careful handling. Despite this, they are popular due to their elegant appearance. They are considered quite expensive options. Ceramic handles look stylish and beautiful, but they need to be protected from impacts. Plastic is a universal material; elements made from it will decorate any interior, the main thing is that it is of high quality. Disadvantages: not wear-resistant, cracks even with slight mechanical impact.

Metal

Tree

Plastic

Porcelain

Rhinestone

Combined

How to choose by style and color?

The style of the kitchen is a fundamental factor that should be relied upon when choosing all the fittings.

• Classical. When decorating, you can go in two ways: laconicism or a designer accent. In the first case, choose a round shape with a minimalist design. In the second, take a closer look at cast metal handles with plant motifs, rhinestones or ceramic inserts. The basic rule of choice is that the more massive the kitchen façade, the larger the fittings.
• High tech. Modern designers are moving away from emphasis on details, focusing on practicality and minimalism. Chrome comes to the fore in the form of simple rails, brackets, mortise and touch mechanisms from trusted manufacturers. We will talk about the latter in the paragraph “Unusual design options”. Or standard handles are generally replaced with a “push-to-open” system, hidden profiles.
• Rustic. Country, Provence, chalet - any variant of imitation of a country house - needs vintage handles. Pay attention to delicate porcelain or ceramic retro options, or rougher ones - wooden ones in the color of the furniture, matte metal ones.
• Eco. In this direction, mainly natural materials are used; processed dried tree branches, leather, and natural stone can be used as handles.
• Loft. Matte black rails, all-metal brackets, rings, patinated shells - anything that looks brutal will do. First of all, pay attention not to appearance, but to functionality.
• Scandinavian. Simple but vibrant Nordic design puts emphasis on color and material. Leather loop handles, black staples, shells or rails on a white set look appropriate.

The photo shows porcelain decor in a classic style

As for the shade, you can go 3 ways:

• In the color of the kitchen. This will make even a bulky handle invisible, without disturbing the design.
• Contrasting with facades. A good example is a white Scandi set with black handles. But there may be other combinations, the main thing is that the decor is clearly visible.
• In the color of the fittings. Combine the railing system, shelf brackets and other details in the same color to achieve a harmonious appearance.

The photo shows a white Scandinavian-style kitchen with black elements

Varieties

The market offers a huge selection of furniture handles for the kitchen to suit every taste and budget. When purchasing a ready-made structure on which these elements are already installed, you should pay attention to their quality, safety and convenience. When ordering a headset, you can choose accessories from the catalogs proposed by the designer. However, you need to have an idea about the types of handles, the material they are made of and the approximate price.

Profile

Material of manufacture: aluminum or plastic. The handle can be overhead or mortise. Suitable for small kitchens with narrow aisles as it saves space.

The mortise profile is installed a little more complicated than the overhead profile, because a special recess is milled into the facade for it. But it combines favorably with high-tech design and does not protrude beyond the boundaries of the surface. These are the so-called hidden handles. They are very popular abroad, in particular in Europe.

You should not try to install mortise handles yourself. The work requires a certain skill and experience of furniture makers.

Overhead profile handles are simply attached to the furniture facade at the top or side end. They give kitchen furniture a modern, laconic look. They come in different colors, but there is no decor. The price of these elements is low, but they are reliable and durable.

Mortise

Invoice

Bracket

The most popular handles for kitchen furniture are staples. They are considered universal. They have the shape of the letter P, but with a curved arc, and come in various designs. Main advantages:

• strong fastening with two screws;
• variety of models, shapes, sizes;
• large selection of shades;
• reliability, durability;
• ease of use;
• affordable price;
• various materials of manufacture.

Handle handles can be chosen for both a small cabinet and a large one. It is important that they are comfortable and stylistically match the kitchen set.

Railing

The railing resembles a bracket, but without bending. It looks like a crossbar on two supports. It can extend beyond the supports or go into them at right angles. The surface is most often nickel plated. If the coating was made by galvanization, it does not wear off over time and does not lose its shine. Railings are often used in modern interiors. Like staples, they have a wide range of sizes; it’s easy to choose a color that matches the set.

Button

Knob knobs are not very popular now. They are made in the Provence style, but suit the loft and classics. This accessory has a small leg, which is screwed to the furniture. The head is made round, oval, square, in the form of a flower or an animal figurine. The button can be combined, with an insert made of wood or porcelain, with rhinestones or crystals. Disadvantage: not very convenient for kitchen cabinets, as your hand can slip off its surface.

Shell

The original shape of the handle for kitchen furniture resembles a shell, does not overload the façade, and looks inconspicuous. It can only be purchased in specialized departments or online catalogs. It is suitable for loft, country, classic or any modern design. Shells are made of stainless steel, nickel, plastic, and sometimes plated with gold. For furniture in Art Nouveau and Gothic styles, products are made of copper.

A drop

This furniture handle really resembles a drop with its base. An addition in the form of a loop or earring is attached to the top. This is an elegant accessory that looks original on a facade made of any material - wood, plastic. The drop decorates kitchen furniture and serves more as decoration than as a convenient handle.

With ring

Such products are used to equip kitchen furniture in a classic or retro style. The main element of the model is a ring attached to a decorative base. These are high quality, durable products. They have a small selection of colors, but you can choose fittings to match different furniture designs. Requires caution during operation; the ring often leaves scratches on the door covering.

Functional new items

New technological models are constantly appearing among furniture fittings. A striking example of such handles for kitchen furniture are touch-sensitive handles with LED backlighting. They look interesting in the evening and at night, illuminating furniture cabinets with soft light. The power source is a regular battery, which is attached to the inside of the facade. The pen glows for 30 seconds after you touch it.

Types of hoods built into cabinets, their main advantages

Another new furniture fittings product dictated by the development of the tandembox is a handle with a leash. It is attached to the inner drawer and secured to the outer drawer from the inside with a latch. With its help, both boxes can be pulled out together or, by releasing the latch, one can be pulled out separately using the regular handle on it.

Touch with LED backlight

Handle with leash

How to position it correctly?

In order for the finished kitchen to look harmonious, you need to install the handles correctly. To do this, you will need to maintain a center-to-center distance and equal space on the top and sides. For convenience, use the template:

1. Take a small piece of thin plywood and draw center lines along and across.
2. Mark the correct position of the handle.
3. Drill one or two holes (depending on type).
4. Mark the center of each door or drawer.
5. Mark future holes using a template.

To extend the life of handles and doors, install additional washers inside on glass and wooden facades.

Fastenings can be located not only in the center. Central placement is convenient for drawers. Standard cabinets, on the contrary, are more convenient to open from the side. In this case, the handles on the upper modules are installed from the bottom from the edge, and on the lower ones - from the top.

Vertical rails instead of horizontal ones or buttons will also make opening the cabinet easier.

Unusual design options

Some choose simple and functional ones, others choose beautiful and elegant ones. Designer handles for the kitchen can be themed: for example, in the form of cutlery, tree branches or even insects. Or simply unusual, as in our gallery - when the handles perform not just the function of opening doors, but are also the main detail of the interior.

The photo shows a non-standard version of furniture fittings

Among the popular models today are touch pens. They are equipped with LED backlighting that lights up with a light touch. They are made of special plastic, which diffuses light and creates a translucent effect on a light, glossy facade.