Cabinet Handles Buying Guide
Cabinet hardware is one of the more affordable ways to shift a room's entire character, and getting the type, size and finish right matters just as much as the style chosen.
Choosing a type
Cabinet knobs attach with a single screw, generally smaller and more understated, well suited to a traditional or heritage-style kitchen. Cabinet pull handles screw in at two points, giving a solid grip suited to heavier drawers or a frequently used pantry door. Cup pulls bring a classic, hooded half-circle shape common in a Hamptons or farmhouse kitchen. Lip pulls sit along the top edge of a drawer or door, almost invisible, suited to a genuinely minimalist, handle-less design. Appliance pulls are built larger and stronger specifically for an integrated fridge or dishwasher.
A closer look at named ranges
Momo Handles' Dallas D Handle spans brushed matt brass, dull brushed nickel and matte black. Castella's Ledge, Reed and Windsor ranges cover solid brass lip pulls, satin brass and antique brass finishes. Meir's Oppen range includes edge-pulls and round pulls across Tiger Bronze, Lustre Bronze, champagne and brushed nickel, in a genuine range of lengths. Turner Hastings' Verona and Tutto ranges span pull handles, knobs and T-knobs in chrome and English bronze. Nero's Mecca range covers pull handles from 130mm through to a 520mm appliance pull, and knobs in chrome and brushed gold. Iver's Puerto range brings cabinet knobs in signature brass.
Choosing a length
Cabinet handles in this collection span 96mm, 128mm, 160mm, 256mm, 320mm and 450mm, letting the length be matched proportionally to the drawer or door it's fitted to.
Sizing and measuring
Australian handles are generally measured by hole centres, the distance between the two screw holes, measured centre to centre. Common sizes include 96mm and 128mm for kitchens, with 160mm increasingly popular in current builds. As a general guide, the one-third rule works well: handle length should be roughly one-third the width of the door or drawer, so a 600mm-wide drawer suits a handle around 160mm to 200mm, while a smaller drawer under 300mm suits a shorter 70mm to 100mm pull or a knob instead.
Handle or knob?
Both have a genuine place, and many homes use a mix of the two. Handles give a larger, more comfortable grip, suited to drawers and heavier daily use. Knobs are simple to install, easy to clean, and suit cabinet doors or lower-traffic areas wanting a subtler look. Using handles on drawers and knobs on doors is a considered approach, giving a kitchen, bathroom or laundry a genuinely tailored finish.
Using the same handles throughout the home
Sourcing the same cabinet handles for the kitchen, bathroom and laundry creates a genuinely seamless, considered flow throughout a home. Environment is worth factoring in though: bathrooms and laundries face higher humidity, so a solid brass handle with a PVD coating, stainless steel, or a quality powder-coated option holds up better over time than a raw or untreated material.
Replacing handles without drilling new holes
Measuring existing hole centres, the distance between the centre of each screw hole, and choosing a new handle with matching hole centres avoids new drilling entirely. For a different style or size, a backplate, an edge pull, or a handle specifically designed to cover old holes makes updating the look possible without redrilling the cabinetry.
Matching finishes across the home
Cabinet handles are easiest chosen to complement a room's tapware, sink and appliance finishes. Matte black handles pair well with matte black tapware for a contemporary look, while brushed nickel or brushed brass suits a warmer, Hamptons-style space. Stainless steel appliances pair naturally with brushed nickel or stainless handles. Considering the whole space, kitchen, bathroom and laundry together, gives the most consistent result.
Completing the room
Cabinet handles are easiest to choose once the room's tapware finish is settled, since matching the two keeps the space reading as one coordinated design. The Blue Space's Tapware and Bathroom Vanities collections are worth reviewing alongside a cabinet handle selection to bring the full room together.
