Expert Eye: 6 New Handle Styles to Dress Up Your Kitchen
Thinking of dressing up your kitchen cabinets? Here are 6 new handle styles worth considering
While there is no denying that handle-less kitchen cabinets are one of the most popular choices among homeowners at present, as a kitchen designer, handles are as exciting to me as jewellery is to a fashion addict. Handles can be used to make a glamorous and bold statement or as sleek and subtle accessories. Either way, they are one of the best ways to put the finishing touches on a kitchen.
I have put together a selection of six of my favourite handles that are new to the kitchen design scene. For me it’s not about trends or keeping up with the Joneses. When selecting a handle to complete a new kitchen, it’s important to choose something that complements the look and style of the rest of the kitchen. This will help to ensure that the handle stands the test of time and ages well, along with the kitchen itself.
I have put together a selection of six of my favourite handles that are new to the kitchen design scene. For me it’s not about trends or keeping up with the Joneses. When selecting a handle to complete a new kitchen, it’s important to choose something that complements the look and style of the rest of the kitchen. This will help to ensure that the handle stands the test of time and ages well, along with the kitchen itself.
1. Colour
In kitchens in general, I am seeing clients become more open to the idea of adding colour to their space. While the all-white kitchen is still popular, homeowners are looking to inject some personality with pops of colour, be it subtle or bold.
Coloured handles are a great way to achieve this. These wood handles with coloured inlays have a soft organic shape. The fact that the handles are solid wood, as opposed to a coloured plastic for example, gives them a more sophisticated and up-market feel.
L4406 Wok knobs: Kethy
In kitchens in general, I am seeing clients become more open to the idea of adding colour to their space. While the all-white kitchen is still popular, homeowners are looking to inject some personality with pops of colour, be it subtle or bold.
Coloured handles are a great way to achieve this. These wood handles with coloured inlays have a soft organic shape. The fact that the handles are solid wood, as opposed to a coloured plastic for example, gives them a more sophisticated and up-market feel.
L4406 Wok knobs: Kethy
These round wooden knobs are one of my favourites. The black finish adds a contemporary edge yet it allows the natural grain of the wood to show through, adding texture to an otherwise smooth and sleek design.
Where to use it: I would use these coloured handles in a contemporary-style kitchen on flat-fronted timber or veneer cabinetry. They will work equally well on white-washed light oak as they will against a sultry walnut hue.
Tip: For a bolder statement and a more striking contrast they could also be used on white or off-white cabinetry.
L4314 Olympia knobs: Kethy
Where to use it: I would use these coloured handles in a contemporary-style kitchen on flat-fronted timber or veneer cabinetry. They will work equally well on white-washed light oak as they will against a sultry walnut hue.
Tip: For a bolder statement and a more striking contrast they could also be used on white or off-white cabinetry.
L4314 Olympia knobs: Kethy
2. Leather and brass
The combination of natural leather and warm brass makes for one very sophisticated handle style. This mix of materials has been around forever, but the new ranges of handles that are emerging with this material combination are creating a resurgence in their popularity.
Where to use it: Depending on the shape and design of the handle, these materials can be incorporated into both traditional- and contemporary-style kitchens. Use a combination of pulls on drawers and knobs on doors in a traditional-style space.
Antique brass hook with tan leather rose: Hepburn Hardware
The combination of natural leather and warm brass makes for one very sophisticated handle style. This mix of materials has been around forever, but the new ranges of handles that are emerging with this material combination are creating a resurgence in their popularity.
Where to use it: Depending on the shape and design of the handle, these materials can be incorporated into both traditional- and contemporary-style kitchens. Use a combination of pulls on drawers and knobs on doors in a traditional-style space.
Antique brass hook with tan leather rose: Hepburn Hardware
Alternatively, choose a simple design to add warmth and individually to a contemporary kitchen design.
10 top design tips for an ergonomic kitchen
10 top design tips for an ergonomic kitchen
3. Natural timber
Natural timber handles were once the most popular choice for kitchen cabinetry. My parents’ thirty-year-old kitchen is testament to that. We are seeing solid-timber handles make a big comeback – and rightly so. A solid-wood handle is much softer and warmer to the touch than metal and has a far more inviting appearance.
Where to use it: A Scandinavian-style kitchen is the perfect place to consider using a solid-wood handle. The solid-oak handles on this crisp white Scandi-style kitchen tie in beautifully with the timber benchtop and open shelving.
Natural timber handles were once the most popular choice for kitchen cabinetry. My parents’ thirty-year-old kitchen is testament to that. We are seeing solid-timber handles make a big comeback – and rightly so. A solid-wood handle is much softer and warmer to the touch than metal and has a far more inviting appearance.
Where to use it: A Scandinavian-style kitchen is the perfect place to consider using a solid-wood handle. The solid-oak handles on this crisp white Scandi-style kitchen tie in beautifully with the timber benchtop and open shelving.
4. Natural timber with copper or brass
This mix of materials steps the modest solid-timber handle up to another level of sophistication. The brass stems on this round bar handle add a subtle touch of glamour without being too blingy.
Look out for natural timber handles combined with copper, brass, or even inset with ceramic. They have an almost handmade feel to them, and if you are lucky enough you may just come across some genuinely handmade ones for a truly individual look.
Where to use it: A solid-timber handle combined with gold or brass is an excellent choice for a mid-century inspired kitchen. Use them on white cabinetry, or, for a truly mid-century look, combine them with more brightly coloured aquamarine or navy flat-fronted cabinets with solid timber benchtops.
L7763 Tilla handles: Kethy
This mix of materials steps the modest solid-timber handle up to another level of sophistication. The brass stems on this round bar handle add a subtle touch of glamour without being too blingy.
Look out for natural timber handles combined with copper, brass, or even inset with ceramic. They have an almost handmade feel to them, and if you are lucky enough you may just come across some genuinely handmade ones for a truly individual look.
Where to use it: A solid-timber handle combined with gold or brass is an excellent choice for a mid-century inspired kitchen. Use them on white cabinetry, or, for a truly mid-century look, combine them with more brightly coloured aquamarine or navy flat-fronted cabinets with solid timber benchtops.
L7763 Tilla handles: Kethy
5. Gold, brass and bronze
Since 2015, we have seen gold and brass coloured hardware being reintroduced for kitchen cabinetry, with both finishes growing increasingly popular. Instead of the traditional style of burnished brass and antique gold that we have seen in the past, the latest finishes include brighter, cleaner looks such as polished or brushed finishes.
Where to use it: I would typically associate these finishes with more country or traditional-style kitchens, but brass and gold in polished and brushed finishes also make for a striking addition to a sleek and streamlined modern kitchen. Use them on coloured cabinetry such as navy, dark charcoals and earthy blues and greens. They also contrast beautifully with darker wood cabinetry such as walnut.
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Since 2015, we have seen gold and brass coloured hardware being reintroduced for kitchen cabinetry, with both finishes growing increasingly popular. Instead of the traditional style of burnished brass and antique gold that we have seen in the past, the latest finishes include brighter, cleaner looks such as polished or brushed finishes.
Where to use it: I would typically associate these finishes with more country or traditional-style kitchens, but brass and gold in polished and brushed finishes also make for a striking addition to a sleek and streamlined modern kitchen. Use them on coloured cabinetry such as navy, dark charcoals and earthy blues and greens. They also contrast beautifully with darker wood cabinetry such as walnut.
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6. Matt black
Our love for matt-black finishes has extended from tapware through to lighting and furniture and now to kitchen cabinet hardware, allowing renovators to achieve a consistent look when selecting finishes across the home.
Our love for matt-black finishes has extended from tapware through to lighting and furniture and now to kitchen cabinet hardware, allowing renovators to achieve a consistent look when selecting finishes across the home.
Where to use it: Depending on the style of the handle, matt black can be incorporated into both traditional and contemporary spaces. Use them on light-coloured cabinetry for a sophisticated contrast that will draw attention to the hardware.
Alternatively, use them on matt black cabinetry, a finish that is quickly growing in popularity in kitchen design, for a streamlined, understated yet elegant look.
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Which handle styles most appeal to you? And if you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation!
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Alternatively, use them on matt black cabinetry, a finish that is quickly growing in popularity in kitchen design, for a streamlined, understated yet elegant look.
Tell us
Which handle styles most appeal to you? And if you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation!
More
Read more trend stories
Kitchen renovators, particularly those planning a kitchen for their forever home, are looking for both quality and individuality to help put their personal stamp on the space, not only when it comes to their custom cabinetry but also when it applies to door hardware.
Organic shapes with sweeping curves and soft, rounded edges in coloured metals and natural materials – such as wood and leather – are huge in the handle world right now.
Browse beautiful contemporary kitchens