If you paint the cabinets a color that was trendy one year, but not as much after that, the room can feel outdated. It is possible to give your kitchen an updated look without having to replace your cabinets. Many people choose to give them a new look with paint and new hardware.
How do you decide when to use knobs and when to pull them? You can either give your kitchen cabinet a refresh or start from scratch.
The difference between knobs and pulls
Kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, closets, other built-ins, and furniture can all have knobs and pulls.
The biggest difference between knobs and pulls is how they are attached to furniture.
Knobs are mounted with a single screw
Pulls are more like handles, and are mounted with two screws
When to use knobs vs. pulls on cabinets
Most people like to use knobs for cabinets and pulls on drawers, but it's up to you. You can either use knobs or pulls in your kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else in the house.
Here are a few things to think about if you are undecided on which to use.
Ease of use: Pulls give you more leverage when opening and closing a cabinet or drawer. You may want to opt for pulls over knobs if your cabinet doors are particularly heavy, or you have limited strength or flexibility in your hands and arms.
Pre-drilled holes: Check your cabinets and drawers for pre-drilled holes meant for hardware. While there are ways around it, it’ll save time, money, and effort to use the holes that are already there. This may determine whether you use knobs or pulls.
Interior design: Do you want your room to have a particular look or style? Sometimes, the design style—and the availability of knobs and pulls that fit in—dictate the type of hardware you choose.
The vintage look: Many older homes have knobs, rather than pulls, on drawers in kitchens, bathrooms, and on furniture—usually one on each end of the drawer. Depending on other factors (like the condition and material of the drawers’ tracks), knobs can make it harder to open drawers. But if you’re restoring a room or piece of furniture, or want to add a vintage touch, knobs can do that.
