Your kitchen is the central hub of your home. Most people consider the kitchen to be the most important room of the house. You most likely start your day in the kitchen with a cup of coffee or a quick bite to eat with your family. Everyone gravitates toward the kitchen to socialize, and it’s where you prepare meals and eat together. Kitchens are a main bonding area of the home. A highly functioning and aesthetically pleasing kitchen is an investment in your family’s health and happiness. All the little details matter, especially choosing your modern kitchen cabinet hardware. Below we discuss the three main types of kitchen cabinet hardware that can help improve the functionality of your kitchen, while providing a modern facelift.
The Importance of Kitchen Cabinet Pulls & Knobs
The three most popular modern kitchen cabinet hardware pieces are stainless steel bar pulls, t-pulls, and knobs. The hardware you select should not be an afterthought in the process of updating or remodeling. Cabinet pulls and knobs aren’t always given the consideration they deserve, but the style you choose can significantly impact the overall feel of your kitchen space. The hardware can be equally important as the cabinets themselves.
Knobs Vs. Pulls
It’s important to choose hardware that will complement the rest of your kitchen decor. Generally, the majority of people want their cabinet and drawer hardware to coordinate with the handles on their appliances. The colors should work well together, and the finishes should not clash. Drastically different shapes can also make your kitchen feel cluttered. Functionality and personal preference should be considered when choosing between stainless steel knobs, bar pulls and t-pulls.
The choice between cabinet pulls and knobs isn’t an easy one. Keep in mind that you will be using your knobs or pulls every day. Whatever you choose should feel natural in your hand and flow with the style of the room. Along with the style of your room, you should also consider your budget, ease of cleaning, ease of use, and the weight of your cabinet drawers.
Knobs are the most basic type of kitchen hardware. They are usually installed with just one screw. Knobs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they are made from various materials including stainless steel to match your modern appliances. Common shapes for kitchen knobs include round, square and birdcage. There are also plenty of novelty knobs to choose from so you can incorporate your personality into your kitchen’s decor.
T-pulls and bar pulls are typically more expensive than knobs, and are also considered to have a more modern look and feel. Like knobs, pulls are also easy to install, but require more than a single screw. Pulls come in a variety of lengths. Length is important, because if the size of the pull is too small, the size of the cabinet will overpower it. If the pull is too big, it can dwarf the beauty of the cabinet itself.
While knobs and pulls are differentiated from each other by their shape and number of fasteners, these options offer essentially the same functionality, so the choice between them typically comes down to stylistic preference. But regardless of what you choose, be sure to buy high-quality pieces made of solid stainless steel so you can be sure they’ll last a lifetime.