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POLL: Kitchen cabinets with or without handles?

HouzzUK
9 years ago
We're seeing a lot of sleek kitchens on Houzz at the moment. Minimalism is definitely a key trend, with no knobs or handles in sight.

What have you opted for in your kitchen? Do you prefer a kitchen with our without handles Get opinionated in the comments section!
With handles!
Without handles!
Featured Answer
  • PRO
    Sustainable Kitchens
    7 years ago

    It's a tough one!

    It all depends on the aesthetic you are trying to create. For a flat panel kitchen I think it looks more simple to go for a handless design, and have cut outs in the cabinet doors instead, or push to open doors.

    Alternatively, for a Shaker style kitchen, I would recommend long pull bars, as I personally think Shaker furniture looks a little strange with out some kind of handle. I have seen some really interesting options available from Armac Martin.

    Check out these options:

    http://www.martin.co.uk/products/appliance/bromwich-app

    http://www.martin.co.uk/products/appliance/arbar


    Charlie

    Comments (21)

    • Tony McIntyre
      9 years ago
      I prefer with handles because they add a bit extra to the kitchen
    • Karin Madgwick
      9 years ago
      I can't vote on this because each has its place depending on the style of the home. Personally at this time I am trending towards sleek modern stream lined so no handles.
    • Olena Tkach
      7 years ago

      My fingers got stuck while trying to open my friends' kitchen kabinets with no handles so many times that I totally don't want any of these in my house =). I'd rather opt for nice big handles.

    • User
      7 years ago
      Too much sleek can = bleak. Handles can really personalise a kitchen and I think I'd get bored of just being surrounded by a sea of plain doored units. Bit soulless.
    • PRO
      ITFITZ
      7 years ago

      Definitely with handles, however if you do not want them to be obvious, why not try flush cabinet handles?

    • PRO
      Interior View Design
      7 years ago

      I feel that no handles is the way to go, specially nowadays as most companies do push to open and along with soft close I feel this all adds to the longevity of a kitchen ..... No more wobbly drawer runners that have been twisted when opening .....No more hinges being pulled away from the carcass sides through heavy handedness..... No more catching clothing on a handle too specially when carrying hot item!..... and finally No handles means no handles handleless is a miss used term the top run integrated "U" channel is still a handle and along with some other handle types = lots of cleaning therefore No handles = equals less and easier cleaning. There is no reason why a kitchen should look bleak or uninteresting without them ,that is down to the designer to give it the wow factor. So long as manufactures provide a good range of colours [but that is for another poll].

    • J&R K
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      I think it depends on the style of kitchen. The two kitchens in the pictures at the top both look right as they are. That long wall of units in the second one would look less good broken up by visible handles, but the one above it needs them.

      I agree with Interior View Design that "push to open" is the way to go for the smooth minimalist look. We lived with integrated top channel handles for years and I vetoed having them in our new kitchen as they were annoying dirt traps.

    • PRO
      Design Solutions
      7 years ago

      In the right space, decorative handles can always be an interesting feature.

    • gillianhodson
      7 years ago
      I made a conscious decision to have handles on my new kitchen doors a couple of years ago, mainly because I think they add a classic touch but also because I didn't want torn and broken nails struggling with "handle-less doors. It was important that the handle was big enough to get all four fingers through. Also I would not want finger marks on the doors from a push to open system.
    • PRO
      Art de Vivre Studio
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      I would say no handles especially in a contemporary kitchen for several reasons but again, sometimes they can have a decorative purpose. However, handles always work well in a classic / traditional kitchen.

    • PRO
      Bathroom + Kitchen Eleven
      7 years ago

      I prefer no handles, I think it gives a contemporary finish and streamlines the units. Also stops little ones from opening all the bottom cupboards, my 3 year old hasn't worked this out yet! :)

      Shannon

    • Rob Rock
      7 years ago
      no handles on cupboards, handles on drawers
    • tamp75
      7 years ago
      I think it depends on the kitchen. I like push to open doors but saw this once on a shaker style kitchen & the handleless looked odd, more like they'd forgotten to put handles on. Personally have crystal knobs on my (traditional) kitchen drawers & cupboards & I love them. Look beautiful in the sunlight too!
    • PRO
      Interior View Design
      7 years ago

      It is a very interesting point made about shaker kitchen [or to be honest any non contemporary kitchen]..... my thought would be then to use something like ITFITZ showed this would then be a just purely decorative element to give the kitchen that softer more traditional feel ..... Also very easy then to keep clean and maintain without being intrusive on the use and overall look.

    • leannethomas
      7 years ago
      We opted for no handles in our new kitchen as we wanted a sleek, modern look. However, it shows up all the finger/hand marks and I'm constantly wiping it over. It bothers me so much that we are now looking for handles to put on. Something to think about if you're in the process of installing a new kitchen.
    • PRO
      MBH Carpentry and Joinery Ltd.
      7 years ago
      I went for without handles because it makes a kitchen look free flowing and in some cases i think it adds more space not having a handle sticking out, but that's just my opinion.
    • PRO
      Russell J Milligan
      7 years ago

      It all depends on the style of the kitchen, In my view both look great in their right place. I also think you can put the right handles on sleek modern kitchens and handleless with shaker doors, no rules, just design choices!

    • PRO
      PWJ Architects Ltd
      7 years ago

      A holistic approach would be beneficial in terms of styling spaces based on the buildings character. Try to keep fixtures and fittings relatively similar throughout spaces to denote a sense of continuity.


      www.pwjarchitects.com

    • Stephen Edwards
      7 years ago

      I like the idea of no handles in a sleek ,modern, kitchen; however, push and pop open doors would be very vulnerable to my nosey spaniels.

    • PRO
      Bath Bespoke
      7 years ago

      Hard choice, both work well in different situations. We're seeing a lot of inbuilt handles in slab cabinets.

      Blue Modern Kitchen · More Info

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