Cabinet Hardware

Cabinet Knobs vs. Cabinet Pulls: Which Hardware is Right for Your Cabinets

Cabinet knobs are one of the most popular types of cabinet hardware. Typically round, they are also available in a variety of shapes, with designs that range from simple and unadorned to elaborate swirls, ridges and patterns. Usually about an inch or so in diameter, knobs are easy to grasp with either the left or right hand, and do not require the user to turn and twist their fingers in order to open the cabinet, making them suitable for a wide variety of people at all ages.

Cabinet pulls, sometimes called cabinet handles, can give kitchen and bath cabinetry a special flair, enabling you to accessorize your space and make it uniquely your own. Because cabinet pulls come in sizes that range from about 3" to 5" or more, they occupy a bit more space on the doors than cabinet knobs. Therefore, choosing a style is impacted as much by your personal design preference as by the amount of space you have to work with in a particular room. Some pulls are shaped like the handles on a carrying bag, while others may feature a cup-shaped design, allowing fingers to fit inside the handle to pull the cabinet door open. The cupped-shaped cabinet drawer pulls offer more strength, making them convenient for lower-level drawers that store heavy or hard to reach items.