Designing with Hardware

Hardware is often chosen last, yet it is the part of a kitchen you touch most. This guide walks through material, sizing, placement and layout, so your handles and knobs look right and feel right every day.

01

Start with material

Material sets the tone of a room before size or style come into it. Start here and the rest of your choices fall into place.

Natural stone

Sculptural and tactile, with veining and tone that vary from piece to piece, so no two handles are the same. Stone suits kitchens and bathrooms where you want the hardware to echo a benchtop or splashback.

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Brass

Warm, durable and reassuringly weighty in the hand. Most of our brass designs are solid brass, finished in tones from soft Satin Brass to deeper Antique Copper Brass, and they sit comfortably in both contemporary and classic interiors.

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02

Knobs or handles

Knobs

Best on lighter doors and upper cabinets, where you only need a light grip. A knob keeps a facade clean and quiet.

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Handles

Give more leverage, so they suit heavier drawers, appliances and busy areas like kitchens and laundries. Long appliance pulls are made for fridge and pantry doors.

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Good to knowMany of the best kitchens use both: handles on drawers and knobs on doors. More on that in the layouts below.

03

Getting the proportion right

These guidelines are a starting point. Your joinery and personal style will always lead, but they help you avoid hardware that looks lost or oversized.

Drawer width Handle: up to about one third
Keep the handle to about one third of the drawer width or less. If you are torn between two sizes, the slightly longer one usually looks better.
1/3 1/3 1/3 Two handles, centred on the outer thirds
For extra-wide drawers, divide the front into three equal sections and centre a handle on each outer third.
20mm 35mm 50mm classic bolder
Knobs generally range from 20mm to 50mm across. Smaller sizes feel classic; larger ones make more of a statement, especially on deep drawers.
Pantry Base door
On tall units like pantries and wardrobes, a longer handle draws the eye upward and emphasises height. Keep sizes consistent across the room.

Designer tipNot sure about scale? Cut a strip of masking tape to the handle length and stick it on the cabinet. Step back and look at it from across the room before you order.

Read the full handle sizing guide

04

Where to place your hardware

Placement affects both how the kitchen looks and how it feels to use. Whichever approach you choose, apply it consistently. These layouts work on both shaker and slab fronts.

Shaker aligned with the stile Slab equal corner offset
Upper cabinets. Place hardware near the bottom corner, opposite the hinge, so it is easy to reach. Align it with the stile edge for a classic look, or use the same offset from the corner on every door for a modern one.
Shaker Slab
Lower cabinets. Mirror your upper doors: hardware near the top corner, either aligned with the stile edge or at the same corner offset you used above.
Centred Slightly above centre Same distance from the top
Drawers. Centre the handle on each drawer, set it slightly above centre, or keep it the same distance from the top of every drawer in a bank so they line up. Choose one approach and use it throughout the kitchen.
Drawer pull sizes and hole centres

05

Three layouts that work

Only handles. Contemporary and architectural. Suits modern spaces and larger runs of cabinetry.
Only knobs. Soft and traditional. Lovely in classic, French provincial and heritage interiors.
Handles and knobs. Handles on drawers, knobs on doors. Adds interest while staying cohesive.

06

Quick reference

Where What works Rule of thumb
Drawers Handles Up to one third of the drawer width; two handles on very wide drawers
Upper doors Knobs or short handles Near the bottom corner, opposite the hinge
Lower doors Knobs or handles Near the top corner, mirroring the uppers
Pantry and wardrobe Long handles or appliance pulls Longer lengths to emphasise height
Knob size 20mm to 50mm Smaller for classic, larger for a bolder look

07

Questions we often hear

How long should my cabinet handles be?

A good starting point is up to about one third of the drawer or door width. If you are choosing between two sizes, the slightly longer handle usually looks more balanced.

Should I use knobs or handles in my kitchen?

Handles are easier on heavy drawers and busy areas, while knobs suit lighter doors and upper cabinets. Many kitchens use handles on drawers and knobs on doors for the best of both.

Where should knobs go on cabinet doors?

On upper cabinets, near the bottom corner opposite the hinge. On lower cabinets, near the top corner. Align them with the stile on shaker doors, or keep an equal corner offset on slab doors.

What size knob should I choose?

Most cabinet knobs are between 20mm and 50mm across. Smaller knobs feel classic and discreet; larger knobs suit deep drawers and make more of a statement.

Can I mix brass and marble hardware?

Yes. Brass and natural stone work beautifully together, for example brass handles on drawers with marble knobs on doors, or marble handles that echo a stone benchtop.

Planning a kitchen or a whole home? Send us your plans or a schedule and we will help you choose sizes and finishes. Trade customers receive 20% off.

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