From property developers to first-time home buyers, we often find ourselves so concerned with the more significant elements of designing a new build that we neglect the smaller details that genuinely ‘finish’ a property. Once you have decided on your preferred floor plan and layout, you will also need to focus on certain finer points, like the size and placement of knobs, handles and the overall hardware on your cabinets. 

This might seem straightforward, but many people quickly become confused with the appropriate sizing and where on the cabinet itself they should be located. Unfortunately, there isn’t a standard ruling to answer these queries, but you can follow a selection of industry guidelines to ensure a proportional installation of your cabinet hardware. Paddington Hardware explores this in more detail.

Selecting Between a Cabinet Knob & Pull 

Knobs

Knobs are an extremely popular choice for cabinet hardware. They typically have the same screw size, but offer a more subtle aesthetic than pulls throughout your cabinet doors and drawers. 

If you would like to leave more of the cabinetry untouched, this is the perfect option for you. 

Pulls

Pulls, on the other hand, offer greater useability than knobs, as their longer surface area provides improved grip. Their design also encourages less direct contact between hands and the cabinets themselves, keeping them cleaner for longer. 

When deciding between the two, you should balance your desires for aesthetics and functionality against your budget. 

Understanding the Ideal Cabinet Knob & Cabinet Pull Sizes

Now that you have made a decision on knobs or pulls for your cabinets and drawers, you need to think about the appropriate sizing of each.

Cabinet Knob Sizes

Knob sizing is fairly straightforward, given how the circular nature of the design is primarily dictated by circumference alone. As such, the ideal size for knobs is said to be typically between 1 – 1 ¼ inches, but you can always go a little lower if you would like to achieve a minimalist aesthetic, or larger for an oversized appearance.

Cabinet Pull Sizes

Cabinet pull sizes have a bit more intricacy involved. You will find a greater variety of sizes and configurations available, with longer, more contemporary options, as well as those that can only accommodate a few fingers at a time. 

Here are a few tips on finding the right options for you:

Maintain Consistent Sizing Where Possible

If your pulls are a smattering of different lengths and thicknesses, you will be left with an unordered and unfocused aesthetic for your kitchen and bathroom cabinets. As such, select cabinet pull sizes and configurations that meet the needs of both doors and drawers. Standard sizing is between 3 to 6      inches between each screw hole, but can be much bigger if desired. It is important to note, however, that if you select smaller handles, you may need to double up on wide drawers to ensure ease of operation.

Longer Length vs Full-Length Cabinet Pull Sizes

If you would like to go larger, we recommend selecting pulls that are a third of the length of your drawers. Unfortunately, cabinet doors don’t follow this same rule, so it is usually best to stay between 5 and 7 inches. Alternatively, many ultra-modern designs are now embracing full-length sizes for cabinet pulls, spanning nearly the entire length of the cabinet door itself.

Understanding the Best Cabinet Handle Placement 

When it comes to the placement of your cabinet knobs or pulls, this is another aspect of function intersecting with aesthetics, and will, of course, differ between the doors and drawers.

Installation on Cabinet Doors

Placement of Knobs on Cabinet Doors

• Panelled doors: Your knobs should be installed to align with the edge of the rail. If you are using knobs with an oval or ‘T’ shape, then you need to ensure the top of the knob is the section in line with the rail. 

• Slab doors: Create the hole placement equidistant between the side and bottom of the cabinet door itself at approximately 2 inches. 

Placement of Pulls on Cabinet Doors

• Panelled doors: Your pulls will need to be installed in the bottom, inner corner of your door to align with the rail. Take special care not to extend beyond the rail. 

• Slab doors: The end of the pull should be equidistant between the inner side of the door and the bottom (approximately 2 inches).

Placement of Knobs & Pulls on Cabinet Drawers

The placement of both knob and pull options on a cabinet drawer is traditionally in the centre of the panel, regardless of whether it is a panelled or slab option. This is a stylish option and works fine with shallower drawers, but if you have a far deeper drawer in your kitchen or bathroom, it will be more prudent to install the handle closer to the top for better functionality.

Contact us at Paddington Hardware today for more information.