You need to consider the design of your kitchen before deciding on a particular type of kitchen handle.

This is because kitchen handles have a profound effect on the aesthetics of the kitchen.

If your kitchen has a modern design then the profile handles must also be of a modern style.

Similarly, classic and traditional-style kitchen handles are suitable for traditional kitchens.

The crux of the matter is that the design of the kitchen handle should not be at variance from the kitchen design.

Profile Handles : Explained in Detail

The material of the kitchen handle must complement the material of the cabinet, drawer, cupboard, etc.

Improperly matched materials damage the aesthetics of the kitchen.

Kitchen handles come in a variety of materials such as chrome, steel, brass, etc.

The type of finishing of the handle is also an important consideration.

Kitchen handles come in various sizes.

You may choose to install handles of the same size throughout the kitchen or may want to blend handles of different sizes.

Ultimately, you need to consider the kitchen design before taking a decision.

Ease of use must also be taken into consideration. The handles must be easy to grip for you and others who use the kitchen frequently. 

1. Knobs and Pull-out Handles

Knobs and Handles are one of the last few touches that go into making the wardrobe or kitchen.

The first question we should ask ourselves is whether to have handles or to go completely handleless.

Deciding which style suits best for the overall interior depends on multiple factors.

In terms of cabinetry, the two most common options are the pulls and knobs. Both types of hardware have their own set of advantages and disadvantages in terms of defining the style of a space.

Knobs:

Knobs are rounder, smaller pieces that are merely placed in the side or centre of the cabinetry to hold at the time of opening a cabinet.

Nowadays, Knobs are available in a wide range of styles and shapes to add some of the extra touches to any cabinetry. They are especially common in kitchen cabinets.

Advantages of Knobs:

·         Give the cabinets a classic, elegant look: Knobs can give a space that old-world charm, and can be a dramatic choice for any interior space.

·         Very easy to use and install.

·         Single attachment point, where only one screw is used to attach it to the cabinet drawer or shutter.

·         Never go out of style: Knobs on the cabinetry can give a timeless effect.

·         A large variety of styles to choose from: Knobs are available in some of the various wood and metal options.

Stylish or Customized Options:

If quirky is your calling, then opt for customised handles like these.

Not only do they look stylish, but also give your kitchen cabinets a unique character.

From curated ones to cute animal-shaped ones, the market is flooded with options. Take your pick!

Pulls:

Pulls are the most famous and popular handles that are nowadays.

They are broader and are typically placed on the centre or side of a drawer or the cabinet shutter.

The style is generally more square just in comparison to the Knobs.

Advantages of Pulls:

·         A more comfortable way of opening cabinets: You can place your entire hand and simply pull the handle to open the drawer or shutter.

·         Two attachment points, where there is the additional stability in placing the handle on the shutter or drawer.

·         Give the cabinets a more modern look with distinct and bold lines.

·         A more preferred option for all those people who are seeking a more sophisticated and graceful look.

·         Pulls can be installed easily.

When it comes to choosing the Pulls or Knobs for any of the cabinetry, the decision is more on the design rather than on the use. Both of them are equally functional but will add some of the design elements to the space.

Traditional Stainless Steel Handles

If you’d rather go back to the basics when picking your kitchen handles, then stainless steel handles are the way to go.

They’re low maintenance, water-resistant and easy to wipe down in case of a spill.

The only negative is that they’re not fancy and therefore don’t bring more to the table than what they’re practically used for.

2. Edge Profile Handles/Handleless/Gola

A handleless kitchen is so much more stylish than a kitchen with cupboard door handles and drawer handles.

It looks clean, uncluttered and streamlined. If you’ve got an open plan house, with your living room or dining room flowing into the kitchen, you’ll find that a handleless kitchen cabinet will offer fluid movement throughout the house.

That being said, there’s more to focus on than just looks when it comes to choosing the style of kitchen doors that will suit your lifestyle.

Whether you’re thinking about having handleless kitchen doors with a push-open mechanism, or handleless kitchen cabinets with soft closing hinges, there are a few things to consider. 

 The main draw of this style, especially for use in small kitchens, is the handleless illusion it provides.

This reduces clutter on the surface of the cabinets while still being present and functional.

The drawback of this style is that it only looks best in modern or plain kitchens.

Despite the edge that juts out, profile handles provide even lesser surface areas when compared to knobs and pulls.

Why should you opt for Gola profile handles for kitchens?

People can opt for Gola kitchens quite simply because handleless kitchens look great!

The surface of the kitchen cabinets looks much smoother due to the absence of handles, making the kitchen look seamless.

Gola kitchens basically appeal to your aesthetic sensibilities.

Moreover, this cosmetic beauty of handleless kitchens does not come at the cost of functionality and has no bearing on the final price of the kitchen. 

The likelihood of kids hurting themselves in a handleless kitchen is far lower in the absence of protruding handles.

If that is not enough to convince you, Gola profile handles for kitchens are also slated to be the hottest international trend for kitchen interiors in the coming years.

C-Type and L-Type

C-Type

L-type

If you’ve got a handleless kitchen door that has a channel at the top where you slide your fingers to open it, you’ll be surprised at the amount of dust and crumbs that can get in there.

This isn’t to say these crevices will constantly be filled with dirt, but it is something to take into consideration – especially if you want a kitchen that requires minimal maintenance.

G-Type and J-Type

G-Type

J-Type

Handleless kitchen units look incredible.

Their clean, effortless finish will give your kitchen a contemporary and sleek design that is hard to achieve with any other style of kitchen furniture.

Some styles of handleless kitchen doors and drawers require minimal touching on the front of the door, so you can go for a high gloss finish that would otherwise show up fingerprints and marks.

In recent times, the trend has been for the even more modern variant, true handleless kitchens.

THE PROS 

•    IMPROVED SAFETY

Hot food, sharp knives, potentially hazardous gas and electrical appliances — your kitchen can be quite a dangerous place.

Luckily, a handleless design helps make it as safe as can be, with no fear of you or your children accidentally bashing into knobs or handles and receiving nasty cuts or bruises.

Nor will you ever catch and rip sleeves and pockets on jutting-out handles.

Generally, handleless kitchens are safer than those with handles. For adults, this is because there aren’t handles that you can bump into or catch your clothing on as you navigate your kitchen -potentially while handling hot food.

For children, handles on base units are often directly at the same height as their heads, making bumps more likely.

•  BEAUTIFUL DESIGN

There’s no denying that this kitchen design is a sleek alternative to handled cabinetry, making it ideal if you want a clean, contemporary aesthetic.

The flat, smooth surfaces are sure to make your kitchen look elegant and streamlined.

There are also plenty of materials, colours and finishes to choose from, ensuring your kitchen is perfectly in line with your tastes.

•   ADDITIONAL SPACE

Removing handles from your kitchen instantly gives you more space as there is no overhang from your cabinetry.

This is particularly valuable if you’re thinking about designing an open-plan kitchen.

As well as contributing to the light, airy feel you’re aiming for, there are no metal handles disrupting the fluidity of your furnishings or creating a jarring divide between your kitchen and your living and dining areas.

THE CONS 

•  INCREASED CLEANING TIME

A handleless kitchen design will take you a bit longer to clean as dust and crumbs will quickly accumulate in the recess you pull to open the door or drawer.

Fingerprints may also be more visible if you choose a high gloss finish, as you and your family will need to touch the front of the cabinets more frequently.

However, a push to open a handleless design will make the cleaning process quicker in another respect, as you have no awkward handles to clean around or behind.

• HIGHER COSTS

Due to the craftsmanship that goes into making handleless doors, they will cost a little more than a standard cupboard door with a handle. This style of furniture requires one of the following;

Push to open mechanisms

Finger pulls

Electric mechanisms (if it is an electronic handleless door)

Soft closing hinges

Rails (if it is ‘true handleless’)

These should all be installed by a specialist and will, therefore, cost a little more money.

Without handles with push-open opening mechanism

Easy pressing is all that is needed to open the facade with an opening mechanism. To close the facade, you need to lightly press it with your hand. Some systems may even close the doors themselves.

Opening-closing occurs smoothly and silently, even if you close the door with a swing. The push-open mechanism is combined with any facades: with lifts (in the photo above), with regular hinges, and with guides.

pros	cons
A kitchen without handles, the cabinets of which are opened with one touch, looks not just stylish, but also seems to be super tech and modern.	The main drawback: when pressed, the door does not open fully, but only opens slightly. It turns out that in order to open a cabinet or drawer, you have to perform a double action, which is not very convenient and takes time.
A kitchen without handles is easier to clean: it is easier to clean the facades themselves, and there is no need to clean the furniture. If you have ever dealt with metal handles, and braces, then you know how difficult it is to maintain their brilliance and purity.	Facades without handles are easier to maintain, but also get dirty more (and not only the facades, but also the ends of the door). In addition, the care of the mechanisms themselves requires special attention.
Only with the use of pressure mechanisms, it is possible to design a kitchen with absolutely no gaps between the facades.	The mechanism can be opened by accidental pressing.
	With drawers without handles, there is a nuance: while one drawer is self-closing, it makes it difficult to open the next one. Of course, the waiting time is quite small, but in a hurry, this factor is often annoying.
	Due to the presence of the mechanism and the need for backlash for its operation, a small gap of 2-3 mm remains between the facades and the case.

Now you are aware of the main pros and cons, you probably have some idea of whether a handleless kitchen is for you. For a clean, spacious, timeless design, it is certainly something to consider. To finish off your kitchen cabinetry with a bang and keep things functional in the kitchen, taking a little time to choose the right type of handle will turn out to be a smart choice.

Contact Iscape Designers to get your own kitchen cabinets now!