Your Guide to Picking the Perfect Kitchen Handle
Choosing the right handle style for your kitchen in New Zealand is an essential aspect of enhancing its functionality and aesthetic appeal. Here are some steps you can follow to choose the right handle style for your kitchen:
Kitchen Handle Selection Guide
Determine Your Kitchen’s Style
The first step is to determine your kitchen’s style. Whether you have a modern or traditional kitchen, it is important to choose a handle style that complements the overall design of your kitchen.
Consider The Material
Handles are available in different materials such as metal, wood, plastic, and glass. The material you choose should be durable and easy to maintain, considering the high traffic and constant use of the kitchen.
Evaluate The Handle’s Grip
The handle should be comfortable to grip and use. Consider the size, shape, and texture of the handle to ensure it is easy to open and close drawers and cabinets.
Decide On The Mounting Style
Handles can be mounted vertically or horizontally. Horizontal handles are ideal for drawers, while vertical handles are best for cabinet doors. Make sure you choose a mounting style that is compatible with your cabinets and drawers.
Consider The Finish
Handles come in various finishes such as matte, brushed, polished, and glossy. Choose a finish that complements your kitchen’s colour palette and style.
Consult With a Professional
It is always a good idea to consult with a professional when choosing handles for your kitchen. They can provide expert advice on the best styles, materials, and finishes for your specific needs and help you make an informed decision.
Common Kitchen Handle Choices Are:
- Knobs
- Cup
- Pulls
- Push to open
- Handleless look
- Profile handles
- Furniture Handles
- Flush handles
- Finger pull
- Drop pendant handle
Helpful Tips:
- Stay consistent with the style of handle across your kitchen.
- Try to avoid having too many different lengths of handles. Use smaller handles on smaller cabinets & maybe a longer version for tall doors. Don’t use more than 2 or 3 sizes across your kitchen for a more professional look.
- Avoid sharp edges or ends that can catch on clothing.
- Kitchens are workspaces, and your handles get dirty & wet frequently. Ensure you select a quality product with a warranty, so your kitchen remains stylish over the long term.
Popular Kitchen Handle Combinations:
- Traditional or Country Kitchen Style: When choosing country kitchen handles, consider the material, finish, and design to ensure they complement your overall kitchen design. Cup handles, bin pulls, and knobs are popular choices for a country kitchen.
- Modern Kitchen Style: The most popular style of kitchen in New Zealand is the modern style. With its clean lines, minimalist design, and sleek finishes, modern kitchens are popular with New Zealanders who value functionality, simplicity, and contemporary style. D or bow pulls are the most common type of kitchen handle we see, for good reason. They have a large range of styles, sizes, and finishes suitable for most kitchen looks. Handleless or push-to-open cabinets, long and slim handles, recessed handles, cut-out handles, and edge handles are popular options for modern kitchens.
- Contemporary kitchen style: Sleek and minimalist handle styles are often preferred to complement the clean lines and contemporary design. Handleless or push-to-open cabinets, long and slim handles, recessed handles, cut-out handles, and edge handles are all popular choices for a contemporary kitchen look.
Your Kitchen Designer will guide you on all the details including the right handle to get the look you are going for.
Handles Are Grouped Into Shapes:
Here’s a brief guide to what kitchen handles are available in New Zealand.
Bow Handles:
Bow handles are a popular choice for its practicality and versatility, making it suitable for any kitchen space.
D Handles:
The most common handle for Kitchen cabinetry is the D Handle. For opening & shutting doors & drawers the D handle is timeless & no fuss.
Front Mount Pull Handles:
On trend right now these handles give a modern look & come in a variety of colours.
Cup Handles:
If you’re looking for the country kitchen look you can’t go past a cup handle, these can be mixed and matched throughout your kitchen with knobs & D handles for practical reasons. As long as you stay consistent in the style of the handle, having a combination of handle shapes in the same style will give an interesting look.
Flush Handles:
Often seen on modern furniture if you're going for a sleek modern look a flush handle gives a clean flush appearance.
Top Mount Pull Handles:
These handles can be colour matched or contrasted to your kitchen cabinetry and are most suitable for kitchens that want the look of handless but with the practicality of an actual handle to grip onto
Knobs:
Going for an old worldly look Knobs are a great choice for your kitchen for wall cupboards and doors that are light to open. They can be mixed and matched with the same finish D Handles, for drawer cabinets below the benchtop for ease to open.
Continuous Profile Handles:
This is a very modern ‘no handle look’ that has stood the test of time. Mounted along the top of doors and drawers with a convenient finger grip to open. For ease of cleaning and no sharp edges, profile handles are a great choice.
Handless Look:
Very on trend over the last few years.
The doors and drawer fronts are bevelled along the top edge to allow a finger grip to pull. Tall or heavy doors may need an actual handle for the practicality of use. But for a sleek modern look, handled kitchens are very popular at present.
In conclusion, choosing the right handle style for your kitchen is an important decision that can enhance both its functionality and aesthetic appeal. Consider the style, material, grip, mounting style, finishing, and seek professional advice to help you make the best choice for your kitchen in New Zealand.
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