How do I choose the right handle for my kitchen? by Armac Martin

Choosing the right handles for your kitchen, from the experts at Armac Martin

If you’re wondering which handles to choose for your kitchen design, look no further as luxury brass hardware experts Armac Martin share everything you need to know in this guest post.

In our 95 years of crafting solid brass hardware, ‘How do I choose the right handle for my kitchen?’ is a question we’ve come across time and time again. With so many options to explore, from pulls and knobs to T-bar styles, knowing which pieces to choose can feel a little overwhelming and so we’re pleased to share our expertise with you to help make the process effortless and enjoyable for you.

Hardware plays such a key role in kitchen schemes, even the smallest of design details can deliver the greatest impact. Hardware is also the main touchpoint between you and your kitchen, so the pieces selected need to be not only beautiful but ergonomic and functional too.

Different kitchen hardware types

Firstly, get to know the different kitchen hardware types available, this will help to give you a feel for the intended purpose and the form of each design. Once you’re familiar with the different styles you can then identify the pieces that will work best within your space

Cabinet pull handles

These are cabinet handles designed to be pulled to open doors or drawers and there are several styles to choose from including classic pull handles, recessed designs, finger pulls and cup pulls.

Cabinet pull handles can be placed both vertically and horizontally, but as a general rule, these sit vertically for doors and horizontally for drawers.

Pull handles can be available with the addition of a backplate to add real impact to a scheme, particularly if a different finish is chosen for the backplate and hardware.

Cabinet Knobs

Like cabinet handles, knobs are also designed to be pulled open. These come in a wide array of shapes and sizes, from classic bun and mushroom knobs, to minimal modern styles in square designs.

Cabinet knobs can also be available with the addition of a backplate to add additional visual appeal to your cabinetry.

Cabinet T-bar handle

As the name suggests, T-bar handles are shaped like the letter ‘T’. These provide excellent grip to open smaller cabinets and drawers where other styles of handle may be too large.

Choosing your kitchen hardware

Start by identifying the exact visual appeal you are trying to achieve within your kitchen, as this will enable you to select styles that are in harmony with your chosen aesthetic. For example, if you desire classic shaker cabinetry, organic-inspired designs such as our Grove collection or Cotswold collection are a great choice. If you’ve chosen a more contemporary cabinetry design, linear styles that feature sleek details such as our Digbeth collection or Sparkbrook collection will be more suitable.

Follow our step-by-step guide to choosing the right handles for your kitchen:

1. Firstly, assess your joinery. Count how many pieces you'll need and note whether these are for cabinet doors or drawers. Cabinet handles and appliance pulls suit cupboards and integrated items such as fridges and dishwashers, whereas knobs or T-bars work well for drawers. If your kitchen cabinetry requires a mix of products, choose a hardware collection that features each of the various product types and offers varying sizes to ensure a united look is achieved throughout your whole space.
2. Consider the style of your cabinetry and the rest of your kitchen aesthetic. Do you want hardware that complements the design, or do you want to create a contrast? Either way, your chosen kitchen hardware should create a cohesive feel throughout the entire space.
3. Once you have decided on the different hardware pieces you need, consider the sizing of each. Some collections are designed with the option of an additional backplate to frame each piece.
4. The final step is to select your hardware finish. The finishes of your entire kitchen design scheme should be considered to help you choose. Consider all the other details like tapware and lighting.

Do you want your hardware to stand out in a contrasting finish, or do you want to achieve consistent appeal with one finish throughout your kitchen? For some designs when you have a mix of finishes in your space, our innovative MIX collection gives you more control over the design as you can mix and match finishes.

When selecting your kitchen hardware finish it’s important to decide whether you want living finishes that are unlacquered and will develop a beautiful patina as they age, or whether you prefer lacquered finishes that remain the same for years to come.

Now that you know how to choose the right kitchen handles, all that’s left to do is explore to find your favourites.

Armac Martin has been designing and manufacturing luxury brass hardware and interior accessories in Birmingham, England, since 1929. To find out more, visit their website or discover The Journal for more luxury interior inspiration.