How to Choose the Right Pulls and Knobs for Your Home

Whether you are replacing old pulls and knobs or having them installed for the very first time, choosing the right style and finish can be a bit challenging.

Whether you are replacing old pulls and knobs or having them installed for the very first time, choosing the right style and finish can be a bit challenging.  It is not for lack of options, far from it, in fact.  There are a myriad of styles and finishes in every price point and size so the options can be somewhat overwhelming.  Fortunately, there are a few factors to consider that will help you narrow down your choices and choose the best pulls and knobs for your home.

1. Knobs vs. Pulls

• The choice between knobs and pulls is often a personal one.  There is no hard and fast rule to guide the choice between knobs or pulls but the overall style of the room and cabinetry may help guide your choice.  With pulls, it is easier to choose sleek lines so if you have a modern or contemporary kitchen and overall aesthetic, pulls may be a better fit.  Additionally, if you have large drawer or doors a large pull may be more appealing than having two knobs to do the same job.  Knobs look great with shaker style cabinets and, though they come in many modern styles, if you are looking for unique or quirky finishes that add a bit more personality, they are often found in knobs.

2. What are the Other Finishes in the Space?

• While it is not necessary to match the other finishes in the space, many prefer to do so to achieve a more cohesive look.  For instance, what material and color is your kitchen faucet made of?  What about the handles on or material of your appliances such as refrigerator or dishwasher?  Perhaps you want to have all of the finishes in your space be stainless steel or brushed nickel.  Or, if you have dark appliances, maybe you want to accent that with darker cabinet hardware to tie everything together?

3. What Is the Style and Finish of Your Cabinetry?

• This may be most important of all.  The style and finish of your cabinetry will help guide your choice because if you have particularly modern or streamlined cabinetry you will likely not want overly ornate hardware.  Conversely, if you have very traditional or rustic cabinetry, you probably wouldn’t go for chrome and clean lines in your hardware.  If you have a dark finish on yoru cabinetry, you may not want to do a stainless steel finish that will detract from the overall look but would rather opt perhaps for an oil-rubbed bronze finish that will complement the color of the cabinetry and blend seamlessly.